The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-03-14
IRISH RELIEF
 MASS MEETING
Mayor Wilson and John Cornell Ask Generous
 Response.

The preliminary campaign of the American Committee for Relief in Ireland, which will culminate in house to house canvass for funds for March IT, was auspiciously opened fn Bridgeport yesterday afternoon at Polls theatre. After the Blessed Sacrament choir under the direction of Professor Michael J. Grattan had led the audience in the singing of the Star Spangled Banner, Chairman Francis J. Brennan of the Advisory Board of the drive announced that general and workers of St. Peters parish would meet at drive head quarters, Room SS, Stratfield Hotel, tonight, and that the workers from St. Augustine's church would meet in their parish hall after Dr. Coyle's lec- ture. Workers from the other parishes of the city and from Strat- ford and Fairfield, Mr. Brennan an nounced, would meet in their parish halls, where the generals would be glad to meet any additional volun- teer workers.
 When introduced as permanent chairman, John A. Cornell, secretary of the drive committee, said in part:
 ''This is movement on the part of the greatest people on earth to assist people. of another nation suf- fering for liberty. This is a critical period and we are the only spec bolOI LldlIOh SotZ1H6 dL lIdSSu1cS everywhere. We cannot close our eyes and stuff our ears and say we do not see or hear. We know that suffering and famine have come in the wake of the tremendous struggle in Ireland. It is the object of this drive to do what we can in our own humble way to relieve this distress"
 Thomas F. Connolly, chairman of the Recreation Commission of Port chester, N Y., the first speaker after telling of many recent tragic incid ents in Ireland, said:
 Men and women of Irish blood have, always been true to America. They have always stood ready to give 100 per cent. of what they had, them selves if necessary, and consequently people today in Ireland's hour of darkest need, with every sense of pfopriety and seek assistance. At this particular time, during the course of the drive which commences March 17th. the measure of your sympathy for Ireland is in the amount you are willing to give proportionate to your means to relieve suffering of Irish peal to humanity that all Americans should answer, but to most of you it is an appeal of blood to blood. and your answer should be doubly strong"
 An apt illustration of the adver- tised non-poliucal character of the meeting was afforded at the conclu- sion of MT. Connelly's speech, in the graceful introduction of Mayor Cliff ford B. Wilson by Chairman Cornell. After extending the greetings of the city. the Mayor said:
 Thousands of people in Ireland are in dire distress. It is little enough we can do, particularly in the light of the splendid service rendered this country by those of Irish blood, to in turn help them in their great need. The time has passed when any pal liative measure can be offered that country. The only measure the world will appreciate as right and true is independ dence-
 ''When this drive "opens on the 17th know that the people of Bridgeport will respond generously, as they should respond, and give their assist ance to those who through no fault of their own find themselves in the dis tress that they now aree Let us not make our gifts small. It is a wonderful opportunity that we have in the light of the things we enjoy, in the light of the aid and assistance those of Irish birth have been to us, and over and above that perhaps the aid which the people of Ireland them selves have given to- us. What nation though held under subJection' in the first days of this country offered sympathy and moral support from 1776 to 17S3 but Ireland?s With the continuance of this country they were anxious to see this democracy prevail and this nation held together in the days of '61 to '65. Who look ed on us then with no eye of suspi- cion or jealousy but with the eye of pure love of liberty, but Ireland?
 Martin J. Mulroy of Boston, the concluding speaker, opened his ad- dress in Gaelic and this part of his speech seemed to be especially pleas ing to many of his audience.
 The Metal Polishers' Union, Local 440, met last night and passed a reso- II1fio17- addressed DraSidart Har<5