The Delta independent., 1923-04-06
WESTERN UNION PLANS TO
AID DEVASTATED FRANCE

Manager Mrs. M. F. Keen of the
Western Union Telegraph Company
brings report of a plan which the en-
ployes of her company, cooperating
with the American Comittee for Dew
astated France, are raising a fund to
be expended by the committee in its
work.
This committee is headed by Am
bassador Myron T. Herrick, as presi.
dent and Miss Anne Morgan Of New
York City is chairman in charge of
the actual rehabilitation work. Many
other prominent Americans compose
the personnel. It is now sponsoring
a contest among sixty eight large
New York corporations, Of which the
Western Union is one, to raise money
for this worthy cause. The employees
OF each corporation have designated
one of their number as representative
and as each is successful in raising
its quota OF the fund, its representa-
tive becomes eligible for trip to
France to observe the work of the
committee and to bring back to Amer
lea a report of the necessities of the
French people, and the splendid man.
ner in which the American committee
is assisting in restoring the homes and
morale of the northern part of our
sister Republic.
Through the cooperation of French
steamship lines the fortunate individ-
uals who will make the trip are trans
ported at greatly reduced rates. In
a previous campaign, conducted on
similar lines, only one-sixth of one
percent of the gross proceeds went to
defray the expenses Of these repre-
sentatives. Since the cooperating
corporations bear the expense of col
lecting and remitting donations, and
in some cases have even expressed
their purpose to pay the expenses of
their successful employee who goes
to France, it is evident that the
usual overhead expense attendant
upon charitable campaign is reduc-
ed to a minimum. Over ninety nine
percent OF the money raised will go
direct to achieve the results for
which It is given.
The work of the American commit
tee in France has been carried on
continuously since 1917. and its pro-
gram has aimed constantly at the in.
depreciation of America to France.
bringing to the French people in vii
lagos and cities alike, the symbol of
Americas spirit of service. It's work
is not only the assistance in recon
struction of community life, restora.
tion of agricultural wealth, but more
important than all, a community and
social service intended to strengthen
the morale of a people which has
seen its homes destroyed, its fields
ruined, its families separated and in
thousands of instances its bread win
ners killed or MANNED for life. In
nursing service. general medical care
and every other activity Of like char.
acter, the Americans are working in
close harmony with the people OF
France, exercising not only the i'm
portant privilege Of substantial fin
ancial assistance. but also the more
important factor Of example and
leadership. without which contribu
tions of money would be useless. Ul
timately the work will be left in the
hands OF French personnel. trained
under American leadership.
The work Of the committee is non.
political and non-secretarian and has
the hearty approval of President
Harding Of the United States of Am
erica and President Millerand OF
France.
The Western Union employees are
making a determined effort to obtain
their quota Of 100000 votes at ten
cents each to qualify their represen-
tative Miss Edith Maude Burwell of
New York City to go to France to see
at first hand the work Of the COM
mittee. Manager Keen will be glad
to receive any assistance which her
friends may desire to give to our un-
fortunate friends across the Atlantic.
Our campaign closes April sixth.