Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-05-05
Navy Relief
Society Fund
Aids Morale
Men Know Families VIII
Have Care (
BY DAMON RUNYON

mander Walter Winchell and
others are doing magnificent ac-
tive service in the raising OF q
$4,000 fund for the relief OF
families of navy men, has
Franklin d. Roosevelt as its
honorary president.
Admiral II. r. Stark Is the
active president of the organiza-
ton and Rear Admiral c. r.
Train, retired. is the secretary
and treasurer. The honorary
vice presidents include Frank
Knox, secretary of the navy.
James V. Forrestal. undersecre-
tary, and Ralph A. Bard, assist
ant secretary.
The National Citizens Com
mittee which is conducting the
S5,000,000 campaign, is headed
by Clarence Dillon as chairman,
with Curtis F.. Calder. j. Russell
Forgan and Ernest B. Tracy as
vice chairmen. William s. Gray
Jr. is treasurer Of the commit
tee. which is forming group OF
most distinguished citizens TO
assist in the work.
Among them are Charles
Francis Adams of Boston. Win.
throp w. Aldrich, Bruce Barton,
Bernard NJ. Baruch. Thomas Z.
Dewey, James A. Farley. Frank
l.. Polk, Gordon S. Rentschier,
Thomas w. Lamont and Harold
Vanderbilt of New York. John
Stewart Bryan of Williamsburg,
Sheldon Clark of Chicago. Will
liam Green OF Washington,
David s. ingalls, of Cleveland.
and Reese Taylor of Lo1
Angeles.
TT is estimated that the navy
i personnel now represents
about 5O0,00 families and the
sum sought is $40 per family on
the average. II must be remem-
bered that a greatly expanded
navy. larger marine corps and
the absorption into the navy OF
the coast guard have increased
vastly the word and needs of the
society. That is why the citizens
committee is calling on the
public.
l am sure that some OF the
famous business executives asso-
ciated with the committee VIII
agree with my contention that a
national lottery for the purpose
of raising funds for army and
navy relief would speedily dis
pose OF the matter. but since,
as have said before, the lot.
terry is a nebulous proposition,
the S5,000,000 needed takes on
the aspect of a major problem.
While it seems regrettable
that the government itself can
not find funds 10 take care OF
the situation out of the billions
al its disposal, we can congratu-
late ourselves that we have pa
triotic citizens Of the caliber
indicated who are willing TO de-
vote their time and money 10
this worthy cause. The sum re-
quired will he raised, all right.
COMMITTEES of citizens in
~ impor communities
throughout the country are now
being organized. The $5,OOO,OoO
sought has been apportioned
equitably among them.
The national citizens COM
mittee seeks 10 raise the
money with a minimum OF ex.I
penditures. The estimated fund.-
making expenses of the national
committee will be slightly over
2 per cent of the goal, which is
a very low estimate, indeed.
l told you the other day some-
thing of the history Of the Navy
Relief Society. mentioning as an
important feature Of its work
the emergency loans made 10
families totaling S533,667 in
1871.
II is obvious that in wartime
when casualties are high. IL is
not possible TO maintain the
peacetime record of more, than
90 per cent repayment of 4oans.
Many must be written off-yet
the loans must be continued to
an even greater extent than
ever.
A S ADMIRAL STARK has said,
"A the Navy Relief Society is
the enlisted mans anchor TO
windward. He knows that when
he sails into the war areas the
loved ones he leaves behind have
some measure OF protection.
They will be looked after in
times of Stress-when illness,
accident or other emergency be-
falls.
When a man off TO the wars
knows this, his peace of mind
is assured. From that peace OF
mind comes uplift in morale,
which. Admiral Stark said,
sharpens the fighting edge.
Thus in contributing 10 the
Navy Relief Society. you are
contributing TO the winning OF
the war. / think that navy re-
lief is a cause that requires only
attention-calling rather than
high-pressure appeal.
The public knows that IL Is
not charity that is asked. but is
rather the offering of a fine OPP
r,nrfiinifu 20 the faonrln NJ hnrna