New-York tribune., 1919-08-11
The Tribune FreshAuFund
1000 Needy Boys and Girls Are Waiting for
Vacations While Fund Pleads for Monev
From the Public to Provide Needed O,,,;nx.

Four thousand children face a bite,
disappointment.
The Tribune Fresh Air Fund has
asked the friends of children for $50 ,00G
to buy vacations for boys and girls OF
the tenemcnts this year. Including the
contributions acknowledged to day
$44,499.32, or almost half the budget
has been provided by generous givers
But more than half the fresh air sea
son is over. To be exact, Saturday
August Q, the date up to which contri-
buttons arc here cons idcrcd, was the
forty-third day of the seventy ono
which this year comprise the fresh air
summer.
Not only is this so, but the portion
of the season during which contribu-
tions are sent most literally to the
fund is passing. In 1918, when the
fund received a larger total of con-
tribution~ than ever before, only
$14,200 was given for the purposes
Of the work from August 8 to the end
of the year.
5000 Have Had Vacations
More than 5000 children have been
sent away for vacations by The Tribune
fund so far this season The estimate
OF the cost oj each vacation this year,
made before the campaign opened, is
S. Present indications are that this
figure will prove less than the actual
cost when the years expenses are to-
tailed up. But using it as basis for
calculation and setting the number of
outings provided so far at 5000. it is
evident that the fund already has OK
pended $4,000 OF the s44.A99.32 re-
ceived, leaving balance on hand, over
and above bills paid and due, of APP
proXimately $500.
The fund must pay as il goes. In
1913, in order to do the work which
urgently needed doing, money TO the
amount Of $4,000 was borrowed to
meet expenses incurred in excess OF
current resources. This course cannot
be followed this year.
10000 Want Trips
Vacations have been asked for % 600
boys and girls, all of them known to be
in need, deep need. Of a change from
the wretched conditions amid which
they live. The plans Of the fund con-
templated sending at least the most
rccdy 10000 of the youngsters away
for the country visit they need. but
1000 of this number are still waiting
their chance to go
These are children who face bitter
disappointments. Almost they have been
promised the outing. They arc ready
for the trip at moments notice.
They are calling at hospitals, at social
settlements, at dispcnsaries by the hun
dred every day with the plea, "Teacher,
can't we so soon ~
Up TO the Public
What is to be done for them? The
Tribune fund has reached the point
where it must pass the question on to
csted in the welfare of the poor and
needy. Within the next few days a
decision must be reached rs 10 whether
the seasons programme is 20 be carried
through. Shall the work be cut down?
Shall some of the funds camps and
farms be closed? Shall tho invitations
which arc flooding in from country
hosts be accepted or declined?
To maintain all the camps and farms
costs approximately $1,000 per day
To accept the invitations sent in By the
Fresh Air committees means railroad
bills to be paid, and in these days Of
government administration of railroads
they must be paid when the tickets
are delivered.
Places. pleasant places that will
seem like paradise to the boys and
girls, arc ready for them. Shall the
places be occupied ?
Come to the help of these needy lads
and lassics. Please,
Funds Contributed
Contributions received:
Previously Acknowledged. ........... .S42,937.92
Virginia 5. Bogert, Aug. 9. 19l7.. O0
; immle ...'..-......... 100