The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-20
Flood of Pledges and Bills
at Opening OF Drive in
Metropolitan.
POOR VIE WITH RICH
Herbert Hoover Leads Plea
TO Save Children Over
Winter.
S33.O00.000 Is GOAL SET
Forty-five Women'S Clubs in
Charge Of Campaign
Launching.

afternoon on the stage OF the Melro-
poltan Opera House. with IT'S spread
ing branches, its beaming electric
candles and its delightful aroma provok-
ing thoughts of Christmas in the crusti-
est grownup minds, II was such tree
as would delight child anywhere, 1t
would delight even those TOR whom il
was lighted. tho 100000 destitute chill
dlen of Europe. to whom Christmas this
year will be a happy one II it brings
with it only one satisfying. WARMING
meal
And Christmas this year in many
desolate lands will be happy if the rest
of the people of the nation follow the
lead of those who crowded the big opera
house. so joyous workers for the $780,
oO0 decided later. Every light that
Dlazed out on the big Christmas tree rep
resented contribution sufficient to
maintain life in one child for year.
When the star Of promise on top shone
forth s612,1OS had been pledged by the
audience. and o fat black valiseS full OF
greenbacl<s and yelowbacis had been
damned shut TO be counted at a time
when the committee had lots of TINE
at its disposal.
1t was. Of course. Il womon's party, for
while mere men might gruffly pay the
bills to keep the next generation in
Europe alive, only n woman would think
of giving them a Christmas tree The
celebration was under the auspices of
forty-fivc womens clubs. For once the
gap between Fifth avenue and Third
avenue was closed, for women of every
position in life sat side by side and sub
scribed their dollars or their thousands
OF dollars with equal eagtrness. There
were men too in the audience, but these
were there merely as guests and check
slgEeis.
SendoG by Hoover.
The sendoff address of the campaign,
in which the European Relief Council
hopes to raise $33,00O.000 with which
10 feed the children a meal day until
the harvest next September. was made
by Herbert Hoover. chalrmNh OF the
council. The 3.5000 600 children in need
in Europe are the children OF friends
and enemies. Of jew and GENTLE. he said.
They are dependent Tor lie on the con-
tinuous operation OF 1900 orphan
asylums hospitals public kitchens and
clinics. II the money Is not subscribed
the asylums. hospitals. kitchens and
clinics viii close.
nner.ts," he said. ut is the product Of
good VIII 70 man. ! would rather have
the American flag implanted in tlcir
hearts than 70 tiy il from the highest
citadel in Europe. We shall never have
peace unless we can eradicate the pas
sions OF the last five years from the
minds OF this next generation. To me
il is a glory to the United States tina.
100000 hungry waits should ST. every
day at cur Ia Die"
Tie Rev DR.. Harry Emerson FoelirS
put the case in these words ~,
Most OF MS are going home from his
lreeting 20 help our own children get
ready for Christina Bul one picture
ought 10 haunt our thoughts-tho fact
hat r1th
have 10 decide this week which OF Their
children they will allow TO die. Their
is not enough food 60 20 around some
" the children are obviously failing
anyway. but some show signs OF hang
ing on. Since some must die shall not
The parents let the weaker go and save
the strong?
1T is g5rT- business a. Christmas
time for fathers and a<ithers to pick out
from their children those who will have
10 die"
Mrs. Belmont Appeals.
Mrs. August Belmont. representative
Of the Red Cross. one Of the eight or
ganlzations comprising tho Relief Cour-
ell. concluded the speaking with an ap-
peal TO save life for every life los.
on tho battlefield
The lighting OF the tree was manage
by William ~ kingsley Mrs. Belmont
- -
facing the big tree when Il was revealed
by the rising curtain and watched ae
slowly and then faster the dim ever
green grew brighter and brighter with
twinkling lights rs the contributions
poured IN.
You might as wen leave your money
here because II YOU 20 away with It the
bandits viii get IT," Mr. Kingsley
warned. and apparently the audience
took heed, for girls who passed up and
down the aisles with baskets filled them
again and again. AZ pledges from the
tOnmost gallery 70 the orchestra were
read the audience burst into applause
again and again. and the tumult that
greeted the contribution OF a few new
dollars OF priced Christmas money By
children was no less than that accorded
the announcement Of an anonymous gift
ri 100000 Fast working operators OF
adding machines in the wings strove 70
kcep abreast of tho rising tide. but
failed
Pass HALF NiIIIon MARX.
And vhcu Tie Mig Christmas tree
blazed in its fun beauty OF lights and
donations. Inc people IN the audience
kept right on giving until the half mn
lion, which had somewhat doubtfulIy
been Get as the top notch bad been
passed and left hundred thousand be-
hind
Among the principal givers were.
ANONYMOUS. 100000 Commonwealth
Memorial Fund 100000: Mrs. Edward
S. Hardness. $4,000: Mrs. Stephen Y.
Hardness. $4,000: the Memorial Fund
Association $4,000: Mrs. r. n Harrl-
man. SIS 900; Mrs Felix Warburg. S25.
600: John T. Pratt, $4,000: Mrs John
T. Pratt 10000. Henry X. McHarg.
10000; Mrs. Paul NJ Warburg. sfO.-
600: Cleveland ". Dodge. 10000: Mice
Vanderbilt sl0,000 Countess Szechenyi.
100000: Mrs. w Bayard cutting $1,000:
warold J. Pratt $4,000
kilograms Of good wishes from Sem
ator Warren G. Harding Gov Alfred
~ Smith and Gov.-Elect Nathan Miller
we're read.
ut this Christmas season our happy
and fortunate people could find 40 hotter
way TO attest the appreciation Of their
blessings than 20 do all In their power
for hssc unhappy and blarneiess victims
ofthc great war Mr. Harding said.