Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-06-04
Nearly 5000 Start
CapitaI's Drive for
S250,OOO U.S.0. Fund
Message by Roosevelt
Launches National
Effort for Service Men

Spurred on by a message from
President Roosevelt, nearly 5000
volunteer workers today launched
their campaign to raise Washing
tons quota in the nationwide
United Service Organizations drive
to provide recreation for this coun-
try's defenders.
President Rooseveltis message
was broadcast by Federal Security
Administrator Paul v. McNutt
during coast-to-coast program
opening the drive for $l0,765 900
last night.
Because recreation is part of our
total defense program" the Presi-
dents message said in part, 1T is
the concern of every citizen. This
applies also to the money needed
to run U. S. o. service clubs for
men in uniform and for defense
workers"
The campaign goal, he added,
Will provide necessary services in
hundreds Of towns and for many
thousands of young men and
women
Opportunity to Serve.
For all Of us who possibly can,
contributing to this fund and for
this purpose Is not only an obliga-
ton but also an opportunity, the
message continued.
Even those who do not live in
defense communities, who never see
a soldier or sailor or defense worker
in their hometown streets, have
sons and friends and neighbors
on the front lines of American de-
Tense. That is their personal stake
in the recreation sector of our ma
tional defense program. Every man
and woman in America wants to
have a share in defending the
Nation. Contributing to U. S. o.
is one way-one important way-in
which all can serve"
Pointing out that in a message
to the preliminary U. S. o. con-
ference in April he had said that
recreation and leisure time activi-
ties for the armed forces and de-
tense workers are both a national
and local responsibility, the Presi-
dent added:
More recent developments make
united national action doubly
urgent on all fronts"
Knox Also Speaks.
The President commended the
six national voluntary welfare or
CARNATIONS which incorporated the
U. S. o. for their effective efforts
to integrate their work with exist
ing programs both national and To-
caP' and said he was glad to know
the U. S. o. was working locally
on a basis of genuine community
cooperation" He said he was sure
the local committees were "the very
foundation stones of it's success"
Also speaking briefly on the 30
minute program launching the cam
paign were Secretary of the NAVY
Knox, Assistant Secretary of War
John j. McCloy, u. S. o. Campaign
Chairman Thomas E. Dewey, U. S.
o. President Walter Hoving, Gen.
George c. Marshall, chief of staff.
U. S. A; Admiral Harold r. Stark,
chief of naval operations, and
Charles P. Taft, assistant co-ordi-
nator of all health, welfare and re-
lated defense activities.
AS the campaign got underway
here for $3.50 900, Washington's share
in the local and national undertake
ing, 500 keymen and section chiefs
IN the Department of Agriculture
met today to hear 1t. William Ex-
ston, U. S. ~, discuss the campaign.
Other Government department
meetings are being arranged
S145, 900 to National Fund.
OF the $25O,O0O to be raised here,
s145 600 will go into the national
fund to operate more than 800 rec
reation centers outside the Army
camps. AS several of these centers
will be erected near the camps cir
cling Washington, the city is ex-
pected to get a more than fair re-
turn from its national contributions.
The remaining s1o5,o00 will be
distributed to local agencies to ex-