Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-09-08
A DOLLAR FOR EVERY FAMILY


It is necessary for Perth Amboy to go back only five years to
get first hand knowledge of what the Red Cross means in times of
great disaster. When the Morgan Explosion occurred, followed by
the influenza epidemic, the Red Cross came to Perth Amboy and
took charge of things in a way that will not soon be forgotten.
Every Perth Amboyan had reason to thank God for the Red Cross
at that time.
But Perth Amboy's troubles sink into insignifcance when
compared with the appalling disaster in japan. Whole cities have
been wiped out, thousands of lives have been lost and hundreds of
thousands are sick and starving. Once more it is the Red Cross
that comes to the rescue. In Perth Amboy or in Japan it makes
no difference; the Red Cross is everywhere. Some people wonder
why it is necessary to support the Red Cross in times of peace and
when there are no great disasters. But were it not for the contri-
buttons made at such times the organization could not be main
aimed on a war footing, SO to speak, ready to jump in at a mo-
nents notice in any part of the world and start its machinery
going. By supporting the Red Cross year after year it is made
possible for it to render such prompt assistance as is now seen
N this Japanese catastrophe, which came without the slightest
arning.
But in an affair of this kind, the funds Immediately at the dis
sal Of the Red Cross are sufficient only to start the relief. Many
millions of dollars will be required and the Red Cross merely sets
itself up as the agency for collecting this vast sum and spending
it to succor those in distress. Money, therefore, given to the relief
Of the japanese sufferers is not given to the Red Cross in the sense
that money given during a regular "drive" by the Red Cross is
1t is money given to aid the victims of the japanese earthquake
the Red Cross is merely the agency through which the funds are
handled.
1t ought MOTTO be necessary to argue the need of money at this
time. Everyone knows enough about the terrible disaster to I'M
derstand why the appeal is made. Perth Amboy is asked to
raise $4,000, the quote fixed by the national headquarters of the
Red Cross. To count for anything, this sum must be raised quickly.
There is no time for building up an elaborate organization to make
a house to house canvass of the city; the success of the appeal rests
entirely with the generosity of the people Of Perth Amboy. No
large sums are asked unless a person chooses to give a large amount.
Mgr. Cantwell at the Red Cross meeting last night, suggested the
slogan, "a dollar from every family. If every family in Perth
Amboy should give a dollar, being only a few cents for each mem
Der Of the family, the quote would be more than raised.
With the idea of getting at least one dollar from every family
Il Perth Amboy, the Evening News publishes a coupon today to be
signed and sent along with the contribution whatever it may be.
The money and coupon may be sent to the Evening News, to the
headquarters of the Red Cross in the Raritan building at Madison
Avenue and Smith street, to Isaac Alpern, treasurer of the fund,
at the Perth Amboy Trust Company, or contributions may be
made at any of the agencies that are to be established in all Sec
as they are passing.
There is to be no begging for this fund. If a person is not
moved sufficiently by the horror that has befallen Japan, and is not
sufficiently thankful. that the calamity did not occur right here at
home, to give something he can keep his money. No money is
wanted that is given grudgingly and has to be coaxed out of peo-
pie. A dollar for every family in the city is not much to ask for
such a humanitarian object as this. The thing is to make the
borne in mind that this is a contribution to the japanese relief,
not to the Red Cross. The Red Cross is merely acting as the
agency handling ii in a way to do the greatest good in the shortest
possible time. /