Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-07-25
UNCLE SANS KEEPER OF
CASH HAS HIS TROUBLES
Called On in Letters to Loan Public
Funds and Settle Family
Quarrcls.
HAS CHARGE CONSCIENCE FUND
Patriotic Citizens Often Send to
Him Coupons From Liberty Bonds
Rather Than Use interest Owed
Them by the Government.
ny ANNABi:L LEE.

WASIllNGTON. July 2i-united
States Treasurer John Burke is the
most widely advertised man in the
Cnited states today--not ouly be-
cause his name appears on al! OF the
currency, but All D.lls issued by dis
bursting officers are redeemed through
the Treasurer, who is the custodian
OF Uncle Sans c%chcqucr.
Scarcely 4 dag passes that Mr..
iurke does not Ect signed or anony-
nous letters from citizens who wish
to join the famous 'Put-lt-I hack
Club" or Conscience Fund" which
a!ready has reached nearly 10 the
100000 mark. but his voium!noua
man also contains remarkable re
quests for his aid in icSd! matters
Not long ago "a soldier back from
overseas wrote:
and need 500 TO buy the luinDer 70
build my house. Now, Mr. Burke. IL
you viii send mo that amount ! an
sure the ,country viii meyer, miss IT.
iIis Patience Tried.
Mr.. Burke's patience VAS tried
when ne first came 10 the Treasury
seven years ago. Then. by some un-
fortunate chance. some cutcrpris.ng
party published the Treasury report
that for each man. woman and child
In the United states there Was S3''5
in circulation ana added: Have YOU
got yours yet? u not. write to the
United states Treasurer"
Letters came from all parts OF
Uncle SANS domain. ocESing Tor the
>
due" the writer. unfolding hard
luck tales and naming the number
of children in the family VINO we're
also entitled 10 the $50 -. In fact,
the mail increased go a!acmingiy that
the Treasury department had TO have
posters made and advertisements;
placed In many newspapers OF the
country, explaining that the Treas
urer had no authorit? to give away
33j.Ij 10 anybody.
During the war Mr.. Burke was
called upon to settle a family quarrc!
between man and wife who disputed
the question as TO which country
should b. the beneficiary, tnitei
was agreed upon, but TIA" w!t.
wanted the money 10 DC presented 10
the poor white peor!e IN MiSsis-
| tippi River settlement, while 'nc nus
| band Was determined that LA Bc!i.
| France should be the recipient. lhs
| Treasurer ~as made 'Hc '',erct t"H
| tile donation happily agreed upon.
Mr. Burkc's management OF the
| Treasures branch OF the Treasury
! Department has inspired certain
amount OF confidence in the heirs To
the famous Aruckc JAMS estate tndt
has been SO long IN LITIGATION WITH
the Trinity church property OF New
| YORK CITY. Not long ago ne was OIL
iercd "a InhGnitceni SUM OF none u
he would settle the century old legal
tangle for the heirs, which. OF course.
he declined
Scarcely Il week passes tina; the
Treasurer does not get coupons on
Liberty bonds when the subscriber
feels that ne is not entitled TO aa "a
patriotic citizen. anu IN many IN,
stances the whole hond is rciurnc!
10 be Cancelled To the credit OF Uncle
Fam. All tHe money mus received
Is placed in the general fund OF IN"
TrCasj!ry among miscellaneous re-
Cctpts 20 ~ used as Congress deems
proper. The smallest amount, re
ceivci M 20 date has been cents.
and the largest amOun; IN one dag
THIS was conscience fund money.
The largest donation to the nation
came from Helen Miller Gould. who
presented 100000 during, ~" span :
knccl prnit=u;iy at the National
Mourncr's bench, and SO Uncle sam
is making money out o, the awaken
cd public conscience.
\ Patriots Offering.
However. there AT. other reasons
for donations which viii appear IN
the following letter received by Nj.
Burke not long ago; ~
Aurora, III, June "a, 1920
Dear Mr. TrcasCrcr,-I am cnc!os-
Ing draft No. h7.l7 on the National
CITY Bank. OF New York CITY. for 80.
as a contribution to the genera iuni
OF the United states.
pay no income tax by statute IN
such ease made and provided use
no articles which pay !mpor; duty
or internal revenue.
by this showing II appears that l
am not mean enough TO be OF service
! enjoy the blessings Of free
country ana the opportunities AT
forded by free country under The
established and stable laws. There
should hc at least Il thank Offering
made in each case.
Very respectfully.
tSigned) CHARLES \. LIKE.