The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-12-18

apolis to bring Christmas to Bick-
nell composed the following:
DR.. Ernest N. Evans, chairman,
executive secretary Of the Fedora
ton of Churches.
Mrs. Hugh H. McGibeny repre-
Senting volunteer women.
William A. Hacker of the social
service department of the Indian
apolis public schools.
Monsignor Francis H. Gavisk.
Eugene G. Foster, director of the
Indianapolis Foundation.
William DobSon, vice-president of
the United Labor Bank and Trust
Company.
Harry B. Dynes, commissioner of
conciliation of the department of
labor.
The Bicknell committee working
with the indianapolis body are:
Mayor o. G. Buck
j. K. McCarter
Rev. j. M. Osborne
Mrs. Edna Cornelius
DR.. G. w. wilkins
Charles Funcannon
Mrs. Doris Wampler
The committee is not interested
in the causes of the plight of these
children, which leads back to the
controversy in the coal fields. They
are not asking whether the trouble
lies in the obstinacy of the fathers
in the policy of the miners union,
or in the decisions of the mine
operators.
No Work for 21 Months
They are asking in the name of
humanity that on this one day of
the year these children be given a
little more food and some semblance
Of Christmas spirit.
For twenty-five months there has
been no work in the Bicknell coal
fields. The controversy between
operators and the miners union is
matter of history.
There is no longer, so it is as
serted, strike condition, but for
some reason, there has been no
work. AS a result, the whole popu-
lation has been drawing nearer and
nearer to the starvation line.
There will be little of Christmas
not only for the children of the
miners, but for the other children
in families where the occupation of
the bread winners depends upon ac-
tivity within the mines.
Situation Desperate
"The situation is the most desper-
ate I have ever encountered in my
experience as q labor conciliator," !"
says Dynes. There is actual hunger
The permanent settlement of the
problem will require study and
planning. But. at Christmas time I
hope that there will come relief
from the more pressing problems of
food"
There is need in Bicknen of ev-
erythAng. The miners families have
received some aid from a union
commissary. The amount furnished
is such as to raise problems of un-
dernourishment in the school chill
dren.
At meeting today in the Office
of DR.. Evans, the name of the fund,
contributions needed, and places
where the contributions would be
received were designated by the
committee.
Needs Are Outlined
The fund is to be known as,
Bicknells Christmas Cheer Fund.
Needs: Food, candy, toys, fresh
fruit, money.
Where to take contributions:
Money contributions will be re-
ceived by William Dobson, vice
president of the United Labor Bank
and Trust Company, or The Times.
Checks should be made payable to
"Bicknells Christmas Cheer Fund"
Gifts of candy, food and toys will
be received at the Bicknell Christ
mas Cheer Fund headquarters, 137
North Meridian street.
Mrs. McGibney will be in charge
of the headquarters. She will be
aided b va corps of women The
funds headquarters will be open at
8 a. m. Wednesday to accept Indi-
annapolis gifts to make Christmas
day a happy one for children of the
mining city.