Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-10-20
Near East Workers
Continued from Page y

great need that exists there and
pointed out the challenge to America
to keep UP its good work there.
Practically every country in the
State was represented at the gather
ing, there being about go delegates in
attendance. Hon. John p. Deering,
State chairman. presided and William
II. Reed of Portland, director for
Maine also participated in the pro-
gram. Others in attendance included
Bishop Benjamin Brewster of Port
land. Mrs. Sarah Rideout Abbott of
Saco, State chairman of the women's
organizations; and Mrs. J. H. Hud-
dilston OF Orono. president of the
State Federation of Women's Clubs.
The State committee on Near East
Relief held it's meeting at IL o'clock
at the Augusta House, the principal
business coming before this session
being the decision to raise the quota
of 100000 during the fiscal year
which ends July 1 of next year, and
the planning to be instituted for that
purpose.
Luncheon at Augusta House
The open session OF the conference
was held at the Augusta House at
1890 p. NJ, where at the close of
delicious luncheon served in the BAN
quet hall the matters at hand were
presented forcefully and in very in
teresting manner to the assembly.
The importance of carrying on" was
emphasized by the speakers.
lo to1p
grams and letters from Governor
Percival p Baxter. Charles V. Wick
cry of New York, national secretary,
and Samuel r. Crabtree of Island
Falls and Dana S Williams of Lew
iston, members of the State COM
mittee, who were unable to be pres
lent at the meeting and who extended
, greetings and best wishes for the
work during the coming year.
Financial Report
The financial report for the past
year, which was a very successful
year in the work in Maine, was then
read by Mr.. Deering. The quota for
Maine was the same as this year
100000. There was raised in Maine
in donations the sum of sSl450.72.
and in donations of clothing enough
at IS cents a pound to amount to SAL
| 751.44. The total amount raised in
cash and credits was S125 40S.66,
while the ratio of expenses to con-
tributions was only 6 per cent
The report of the State committee
meeting was given by Rt. Rev. Brew
ster bishop Of Maine. who spoke OF
the Near East Relief as going con-
Germ" which had proved its value il
the practical work accomplished since
! 1915. He referred to the success Of
last years campaign and urged all
the members to set their minds on
the goal for this year. And he point
cd out that the raising of last years
quota was helped to a great extent
by a splendid gift of $4,000 from one
person.
| In regard to the campaign which
begins a week from next Sunday,
Bishop Brewster stated that the COM
mlttee felt that now is the time to be-
gin the work, and that there was no
suggestion or idea Of interfering with
the Red Cross campaign which begins
| jcct. The Near East Relief and tho
Red Cross are not rivals. but work 20
gether. And he stated that he had
confidence that Maine will not fail
behind when the facts arc known.
State Chairman John P. Deerine
In the absence of Governor Percival
p. Baxter, who was unable to be .pres-
ent on account of business trip to
Aroostook county, the greetings to del
egates were extended by the Stale
chairman, Hon. John =. Dccring of
Saco. He stated that they had mtt
for the purpose of charity and that it
would be futile to deny that tact; and
that the Near East Relief, organized
by an act of Congress. extends the
length and breadth of the country
and that its activities are directed by
some of the finest minds in tho United
States.
When the war came and even be-
fore there was need for relief in Ar
menia. During the war the people Of
Armenia contributed to the cause @:
the Allies, adding one more incentive
for the Turks to carry on their cruel
massacrcs.
Mr.. Deering pointed out that not
withstanding the needs for charity at
home, there was a great call from
the Near East and many people from
this country are over there working IN
the interests of those poor people.
He mentioned the names Of some Of
the workers from New England and
! from Maine. citing as one of the
workers Miss Wnnifred Merrill OF Au-
gusta, and he told of the great sac
riflces even of life itself made BY
some Of the men and women fSor
this country who have been engaged
in Ner East Relief work.
Mrs. Florence Spencer Duryea
."Outstanding impressions of visit
to the Near East" was the subject Of
the message brought to the confer
cnce by Mrs. Florence Spencer Dur
yea Of New York City. who is head
of the department of women's clubs
of the Near East Committee, New
York
Hungry, ragged and sick. thousands
of children have been gathered to-
gether in the orphanaGes in Tiflis,
Constantinope and other centers
Reports state that they. have been
dying by the hundreds because relief
workers were overwhelmed by the
magnitude OF the task and unable TO
get supplies needed in such an emer-
gency.
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