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"Address by J.D. Rockefeller Jr."
The United War Work campaign, which is asking the American
people to contribute not less than $170,500,000, is the greatest
voluntary altruistic endeavor the world has ever known. For the
first time in history, people of Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant
faith are standing side by side and working in closest cooperation
for a great common cause. The seven organizations included in the
campaign -- namely, the Young Men's Christian Association, the
Young Women's Christian Association, the National Catholic War
Council, the Jewish Welfare Board, the War Camp Community Service,
the American Library Association, and the Salvation Army -- are
authorized by the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy to
work for the soldiers and sailors in and near the camps.
Since talk of peace has been current during the past few
weeks, the question has arisen in the minds of many as to whether
this great fund of $170,500,000 will be needed in the event of an
early termination of the war. The answer is that the sooner the
war ends, the more vital will be the need for this fund -- every
dollar of it, and as much more as the generosity of the American
people will provide.
Our men in uniform are like the college football players.
While the struggle is impending, they are observing the rules of
training that they may be fit to fight, but when the game has been
won the temptation to break training and make up for the restraint
of the past months and years will be a mighty one. At the best, it
will take many months to bring home the men now overseas, and a
still longer time to absorb into civil life this great army.
During these days and weeks and months of comparative idleness,
relaxation, inactivity, and waiting, they will need as never since
the day they entered the service the friendship, inspiration,
occupation, amusement, and strength which these organizations alone
can provide.
Do you want to see the flower of the manhood of this country,
which has brought everlasting glory to our nation, neglected in the
hour of its greatest need, and afraid to face temptation? Then
withhold your contribution to this fund. Or do you want to see a
chapter of moral victory and prowess as superb and as glorious as
that of the victories of arms which have already been achieved,
added to the annals of the history of this country, and high
standards of morality maintained and perpetuated by our sons and
brothers in the days to come? Then give of your abundance, give of
your poverty, but give without stint to this great fund which
should be not less than $250,000,000. I confidently believe that
the American people will stand solidly behind the men in uniform,
and that they will regard it a privilege to contribute to the
limit.
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