4 - National Collection _ European Relief Council 1920-1921 UiIVERSITY UF iLLing.¢$ | AUG Lo 192] REPORT on the NATIONAL COLLECTION by the CONTROL COMMITTEE to the EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL Composed of AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE AMERICAN REpD Cross AMERICAN RELIEF ADMINISTRATION FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN AMERICA JOINT DistRIBUTION COMMITTEE Kwnicuts or COLUMBUS NATIONAL CATHOLIC WELFARE COUNCIL Younc Men’s CuristTIAN ASSOCIATION Youna WoMEN’s CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION ‘ Be NS FOREWORD HIS report covers the method of organization and prominent features, from a national standpoint, of the National Collection of the European Relief Council, conducted under my supervision. A financial statement of the receipts and expendi- tures, audited by certified accountants, will be forth- coming as soon as examination of the books of the Council has been completed. © In transmitting this report, I feel there should be in the chief workers throughout the country, their assistants and the half million of citizens who shared in this task of charity, the satisfaction that in having devoted themselves to the provision of feeding and clothing and medical service to this mass of children there has not only been brought about the saving of life and the relief of suffering, but there has been created happiness in millions of children and courage and resolution in tens of millions of parents. It would not have been possible for me and my associates and these great American associations to act as intermediaries to carry out this vast relief without the time and service rendered voluntarily by the work- ers in the National Collection. European Relief Council HersBert Hoover, Chairman FRANKLIN K. Lang, Treasurer Dr. Rurus M. Jonss...... American Friends’ Service Committee Dr. Livineston Farranp.. American Red Cross EpGarR Rickarp........... American Relief Administration Dr. ARTHUR J. BRown..... Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America Freiix M. WARBURG....... Joint Distribution Committee James A. FLAHERTY....... Knights of Columbus MICHAEL J. SLATTERY..... National Catholic. Welfare Council (joined February 24, 1921) (ra Vi SH IBBARD SU... Waser ts Young Men’s Christian Association Miss SARAH 8. Lyon...... Young Women’s Christian Association CHRISTIAN A. Herter, Secretary es) Table of Contents Foreword—by Herbert Hoover RM UMC Veece. emir teil Uinta ' S Bam y/l Ny Seda liy Ae LOLOL A TOAMIZA GION 65) ../d\0 4) oie a acoso oo dow lade 3. Outstanding Developments and Policies.......... ae oree) Phases’ of the, Collection: |) 3...) 600.050) 4. OECTA CARIES to a) oh chide aca ohoicok cd covdeaee ade meals PAGE 10 Notre—tThe financial report will be submitted at a later date in the form of an audit made by a firm of certi- fied accountants now completing the examination of the Council’s books. DVM AS EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL INTRODUCTION HIS report deals exclusively with the National Collection of the European Relief Council, which commenced officially on December 19, 1920. The collection was the consummation of delib- erations of the Council covering a gamut of relief problems and was the result of a decision of the eight organizations comprising the Council that the child life of Eastern and Central Europe should have priority over any other European Relief until the next harvest. It was determined, upon careful surveys, that the acute need involved 3,500,000 children and that the fund required was $33,000,000, of which $23,000,000 would cover the requirements for mass child feeding and clothing and $10,000,000, medical service and care. The field of relief operation of the distributing organizations of the Council extends into the countries of Poland, Austria and Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Fin- land, Serbia, Esthonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Ger- many (which country is under the exclusive super- vision of the American Friends’ Service Committee) together with the children of Russian refugees who may be in or may come into these countries or localities outside of Russia proper, where it is possible to meet the need; also medical service and clothing are being furnished to 300,000 children in Serbia and other East- ern European countries where food is not required. In outlining the field of these distributing members, it should be borne in mind that the Council, as an entity, at no time assumed responsibility for the dis- tribution of relief; this remains in the individual dis- tributing member with respect to its own operations. 7 Attributes of Collection EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL Before entering upon this report, it is worth bearing in mind that this collection, which met with entire suc- cess, has been the greatest collection from the Ameri- can public since the war and that it occurred during a period of financial depression and at a time when the community at large was just emerging from generous and repeated financial support of war activities. Moreover, apart from this general situation, there were in process immediate relief demands from the public, such as the annual roll-call of the American Red Cross, one of our own members; the churches were securing funds for European relief for their own de- nominations; and such projects as the Near East Relief, and the China Fund for a critical situation in that country, were in the field or preparing their campaigns. However, the collection could not be delayed, for funds were immediately necessary to guarantee the full pro- gram. Despite the handicaps, there were, in the minds of the Control Committee four attributes of the Na- tional Collection which gave it great strength: 1. The prestige of the Chairman and the general acceptance of his statements upon European relief as authoritative. 2. Because the appeal was for children, it came close to the sympathies of the people. 8. The consolidation, under one responsibility, of eight important American relief associations recognized for ability and integrity with one object in view. 4. The voluntary support of a large number of leading citizens in every state. I. MerruHop oF ORGANIZATION Definite organization for the collection of $33,000,- 000 was initiated at a management meeting of the European Relief Council on October 29, 1920. At that 8 EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL meeting, and in one or two subsequent meetings, plans were discussed and outlined. Four Committees were appointed: an Executive Committee, a Control Com- mittee, a Publicity Committee and a Finance Operat- ing Committee. Franklin K. Lane consented to act as Treasurer and was officially appointed by the Council. The Executive Committee was composed of one rep- Executive, resentative from each of the eight organizations com- aa prising the Council with Mr. Hoover as Chairman. ona Finance This Committee did not meet regularly, but it was Committees arranged that its members should establish their physi- cal headquarters with the Control Committee in order to bring about entire national cohesion throughout their own organizations. ‘These members were in almost daily session with the Control Committee. The Control Committee, appointed by Chairman Control Hoover, directed the organization and administration of the Collection. It took charge under the direction of the Chairman, supervised policies, and co-ordinated the activities of other committees and various assisting organizations, meeting formally with the Executive Committee when necessary to pass upon certain expen- ditures. The Publicity Committee, appointed by the Chair- Pxblicity man, took charge of all National publicity and the preparation of informative material for newspapers and publications. As the American Relief Administration was already operating a Publicity Bureau for its Business Men’s Appeal, which was absorbed by the National Collec- tion, the publicity work was carried on through this Bureau, which established a Press Department to cover the development and distribution of material. ‘This adoption proved an economical and prompt solution in the organization of an important branch of activity. Through able preparation of material and its dissemi- 9 Finance Head- quarters EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL nation by four regional representatives, the department secured news space and editorial comment in surprising quantity. It deserves high commendation, for enor- mous variety and distribution were accomplished at cost of a little over $50,000, a strikingly low figure for such a national undertaking. The Finance Operating Committee was appointed by the National Chairman, and took charge of opera- tions for collections and disbursements, organizing a Comptroller’s office for receiving and receipting fer money and the making of authorized disbursements for campaign expenses. It was arranged that the collec- tions made in the American Relief Administration’s Business Men’s Appeal should be credited to the Na- tional Collection. In view of the fact that all moneys collected throughout the country came into this depart- ment, the mass of detail reached necessarily large proportions, the direct subscriptions alone to its office, principally in small denominations, amounting to over $4,000,000. These four Committtees operated separately with co-ordination through the Control Committee and the National Chairman. II. OvurstTanpING DEVELOPMENTS AND PoLIcIeEs National Headquarters were established at 42 Broadway, New York City. The Headquarters’ Office of the Control Committee was comprised of the fol- lowing departments: (a) An Organization and Administration Staff. (b) A Field Organization Staff. (c) A Publication Bureau. (d) A Voluntary Speakers’ Bureau. These titles are sufficiently definitive without further description. EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL There was an agreed policy to proceed on a basis State _ of decentralized voluntary state organizations. These ie lcte State Committees were formed so far as possible out of representatives of the component organizations con- senting to serve. Members were added either in an honorary or active capacity at the discretion of each local body. The American Relief Administration had already secured some sixteen Chairmen for its Business Men’s Appeal and eleven of these took over the work of the National Collection in their states at our request. In three other states these Chairmen, although unable to act themselves, were directly instrumental in securing the Chairmen. Again, in three other states the early Chairmen dropped out entirely. Thus four- teen states already had leadership. To the remaining states a joint telegram was sent from Mr. Hoover, Dr. Livingston Farrand of the Red Cross, and Mr. Felix M. Warburg of the Joint Dis- tribution Committee, requesting each representative to communicate with the others and arrange an organi- zation meeting in their state. Some difficulties were encountered in the hesitation of respective representa- tives to take the first step to arrange such a meeting. The Red Cross, for instance, felt it unwise to have its representatives assume the lead in organization or accept State Chairmanship. Often the representatives of other organizations did not feel ready to assume the responsibility. On these occasions the Control Com- mittee found the Chairman. The principal reason for this method of initiating state organizations was in order to enlist the real co-operation of representatives by placing upon them at once a sense of service. When State Chairmanship had been secured, Head- Pere taacie ne rats ead- quarters sent two memoranda outlining the National a Collection, together with a set of material giving full with States ea) State Finances Costs EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL data regarding the needs in Europe, the purpose and objects of the Kuropean Relief Council and organiza- tion plans. This was immediately followed by general and specific suggestions as to methods of campaigning. The states were also advised of a decision by the Treas- ury Department of the Federal Government to the effect that whereas the Council had as its constituent members corporations or associations representing ap- proximately ninety-eight per cent of the present organ- ized charitable relief in Europe, that contributions to it were deductible in the Federal income tax returns. The procedure throughout with the State Chairmen was based on decentralization of decision and authority, the penetration of National Headquarters into the State Committees being confined to general policy supervision, suggested activities and establishment of a financial system for state expense budgets. ‘This method proved successful because in the majority of states the prestige and creative energies of the State Committee were continuously called upon; certainly it was successful wherever the Chairman and the Com- mittee became thoroughly acquainted with the objects and composition of the European Relief Council and made a study of the problems facing the European children. With one exception, every Chairman continued throughout the collection. Certain national movements, because of their nature, were entirely in the hands of the National Head- quarters. As soon as state organization came into existence, appointment of a State Treasurer and designation of a State Depository for funds were requested. A Na- tional Depository was established in New York City. The State Chairmen were advised to emplov whatever assistance was needed and to submit a budget of expense 12 EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL to Headquarters. State expenses were paid from National Headquarters and not out of funds collected. Particular stress was laid upon a careful system of accounting and vouchers. In this relation, the financial] arrangements inspired the confidence of the people because of the limited paid assistance and the fact that the collection was made on a budget system, the cost of which was borne out of funds made available by the American Friends’ Service Committee, American Red Cross, American Relief Administration and the Joint Distribution Committee. In most states there was a paid Executive Secretary and such other clerical help as was needed to carry out the work efficiently. In every instance the Chairman and the Committee members were volunteers, and in nearly every case the Chairman was in active charge of the State collection. By the nineteenth of December, when the campaign officially opened, thirty-nine State Committees had been organized. In the remaining states, in several instances, we were beset with difficulties in securing an effective man for Chairman, very largely due to weariness over war drives, and to the tense preoccupation of business men caused by the economic situation. Organization was soon completed in every state; also Alaska, Hawaii, the Philippines, and the Canal Zone, from where, it is interesting to note, we had sub- stantial contribution. Special stress was laid upon the following points, Perticular not only at the beginning but throughout the collection: aacch F 1. To impress upon the people the signifi- cance of the consolidation of these eight great organizations for a specific purpose. 2. To understand the scope and meaning of the relief work in Europe. 3. ‘To emphasize the efficiency of this relief work, its non-pauperization methods, the financ- 13 Publica- tions; no Paid Advertising EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL ing out of funds independent of collections, and the conduct of child feeding in any European country only on the contribution by local gov- ernments of transportation, administrative as- sistance and local available foodstuffs suitable for undernourished and starving children. The first informative material distributed was re- prints of matter prepared for the American Relief Administration Business Men’s Appeal, which was ready for distribution. In addition to this, the “Appeal to the American People,” signed by the component members of the European Relief Council, was sent broadcast. Preparation of material which covered the scope of medical service and relief activities of all the distribut- ing organizations in the Council was under way at the outset and followed the literature already at hand. The Publication Bureau, in co-operation with the Publicity Department, produced a number of pam- phlets used throughout the country. The most widely distributed was a four-page folder, “ Shall It Be Life or Death?” printed in two sizes. A limited number of effective documents to receive wide distribution rather than numerous hastily drawn pamphlets saved money and lent appropriate dignity to the appeal. The policy was established not to enter into a paid adver- tising campaign, as it was believed, and later develop- ments confirmed this belief, that the expenses would not be warranted. There is no doubt this policy was highly approved by the contributing public. In place of this, arrangements were made with the Western Newspaper Union whereby three large size advertise- ments were set up and the mats made available to any newspaper in the country, so that, if the local commit- tees could secure individual underwriters, proper authoritative material would be ready. Furthermore, 14 EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL two pages of reading matter were prepared and sent to all newspapers. In addition to the work of the Publicity Depart- ment, the bulletins and pamphlets of the various com- ponent organizations of the European Relief Council gave excellent assistance. One phase of the publicity which succeeded admirably and to which may be at- tributed a large part of the “country” contribution was the co-operation secured from the farm journals. Another decision was to refrain from printing any Ne_ national posters. A poster was donated by the J cinta eras Distribution Committee and used, and a number of states printed a limited supply of posters and _ plac- ards for local consumption. It seems certain that this decision saved a considerable amount of money without jeopardizing results. The National Speakers’ Bureau was particularly Speakers advantageous as it was not necessary to keep speakers under salary, the effort from Headquarters being con- fined to important gatherings with the policy that the State Committee secure local talent. Whenever there was a demand for speakers, most able men were secured who gave their services. The Field Organization Staff was a most valuable * poh adjunct to National Headquarters, for without its aid OR a number of states would have been unable to overcome serious difficulties. This staff, numbering twelve men, furnished out of the component organizations of the Council, was called in at an early date, held numerous conferences to absorb the spirit and policies of the effort, and eventually visited twenty-five State Com- mittees. In a number of cases such visits aided in or- ganizing the state or starting the committee activity along most important channels. In other cases they rejuvenated states which were in the process of closing their campaigns before producing satisfactory results. 15 EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL This staff operated as personal representatives of National Headquarters; they were not sent with any authority over State Committees, but solely to assist those committees and give the States closer contact with each other and Headquarters. ‘They made an excep- tionally fine record in an emergency undertaking. III. THREE PHASES OF THE COLLECTION The National Collection passed through three phases of development: 1. The first, from the official opening of the cam- paign on December nineteenth to a survey occurring January fifteenth, when about half of the required amount could be counted upon. 2. The second, from January fifteenth, when quotas were assigned for adoption by the states, to the first week in March, at which time announcement was made that thirty-six out of forty-eight states were closing their intensive campaigns, and when we estimated that we could be confident of an amount approaching $29,- 000,000, made up of cash, pledges and expectancies, based on careful reports. 8. The final phase extended from this first week in March through April first, when approximately four- teen states, which had voluntarily decided to continue beyond the fifteenth of March because of late organiza- tion, were advised to close their campaigns. A. First Phase The first period included the holiday season, the Campaign being publicly opened at the Metropolitan Opera House on December nineteenth, when Mr. Hoover presented to the people of the country the needs of the children of Europe with the plea that America should take 8,500,000 children into their homes as “‘ Invisible Guests.” 16 EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL In a review of the opening of this appeal for $33,- L‘terary 000,000 to the American people, an initial position °°" should be given to the Literary Digest campaign, car- ried on from the time of its publication of a letter from Mr. Hoover on October thirtieth together with an appeal for funds for child feeding. With the power of its reputation and large circulation it not only real- ized about two and one-half million dollars in contribu- tions, but gave the whole Collection its first national impulse. The importance of this action on the part of the Literary Digest cannot be overestimated. It took up the cause of the children in Europe, at the outset, for the benefit of the American Relief Administration at a time when it proved of powerful assistance to that organization whose activities were merged at once into the National Collection of the European Relief Coun- cil. Moreover, when the National Collection was launched, the Literary Digest threw its whole force into assisting this combined effort and made itself an en- thusiastic and potent supporter. An important feature of the campaign was a letter Church drawn up for distribution by the Federal Council of 4??° Churches of Christ in America to a large proportion of the Protestant Churches of the Country, requesting that our appeal be presented and that Church contribu- tions be made on Sunday, December nineteenth. It was found that this appeal, although presented in many churches on this date, continued to be made for the next six weeks in those churches not able to act on the speci- fied date. Although we had substantial response from this source it transpired that during and previous to our collection many denominations were conducting their own campaigns for general relief abroad. Due to this situation, we are naturally handicapped, and it is appropriate to conclude that denominational cam- 17 Invisible Guest Invisible Guest Dinners EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL paigns were incidentally assisted through our church appeal and by our widespread publicity and recitation of child conditions in Europe. A prominent feature of the campaign developed in this period and should be mentioned here. Early in December, in a series of informal meetings in Mr. Hoover’s office respecting a dinner undertaken by the New York Committee, the idea of a vacant chair to represent an absent member was presented. ‘The de- velopment of this idea into the phrase “ Invisible Guest ” produced an emotional keynote for thé remainder of the campaign. Its evolution and refinement came through the common council of ideas, characteristic of the methods of the Chairman. The entertainment of the * Invisible Guest ” in the American home was stressed, and to its influence on the spiritual and charitable in- stincts of the people may be attributed thousands of donations, large and small, from every quarter. Out of the “ Invisible Guest” idea developed the “Invisible Guest ” dinner, which was used successfully in many states, the first of these dinners being held at the Commodore Hotel, New York City, on December twenty-ninth. Such gatherings served to visualize to the public the meaning of their effort. The plan of the dinner was to serve each guest the same meal fed in the European Child Feeding Stations. The Army Quartermaster supplied plates and cups, the hotel furnished the meal, and Red Cross volunteers served the food on bare tables. At the Speakers’ Table, between Mr. Hoover and General Pershing, was placed a child’s high chair with a lighted candle in it, symbolic of the “Invisible Guest ’”’—the helpless children of Europe. The guests at the dinner were those workers or individuals or representatives of those associations who had each secured provision for upwards of one hundred “ Invisible Guests.” 18 EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL It became impossible to meet the demand for Mr. Hoover’s presence at these affairs, which developed widely, in spite of his continuous and tireless response for several weeks which lent so largely to the progress of the collection. In view of the necessary delays which occurred in Halfway co-ordinating the varied machinery of eight relief hte bodies, time for organization throughout the country had been limited to a short period before the official opening of the campaign, and it soon became evident that the collection could not end at an early date after the holiday season. The national publicity, although it had been under way for only two weeks, with splendid organization, was increasing enormously, and reached its point of wide circulation only by January fifteenth. The appeal was so strong and the interest of the public increasing to such an extent it was obviously not pos- sible to receive the benefit of the response in a short period. With this fact before the Control Committee, the State Chairmen were requested to make a full state- ment of conditions in their states and report so far as possible the amount of money actually raised up to the fifteenth of January. It must be remembered that at this time there were many states which were just get- ting under way and therefore could give no definite information. However, the reports indicated that, in- cluding moneys to be available from special sources, $1,000,000 from Mr. Rockefeller, the actual returns to date from all states, the money collected through the Literary Digest and other possible sources, we could have in hand approximately one-half our needs. The enlistment of such National organizations as the Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, National Chamber of Commerce and the endorsement by Governors of States were all accomplished in this period. 19 Progress in States Motion Pictures Y.W.C.A. EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL B. Second Phase The second phase of the campaign started with the imposition of suggested quotas among the states. It was the view that, although up to this time, due to the general economic depression throughout the coun- try, it had not been wise to impose a definite quota upon a state, the situation had sufficiently developed where it would be helpful to state committees to have a suggestion from us as to what their total quota ought to be in order to successfully consummate the collection. Moreover, it was most important at this stage of the national effort, in the face of a decentralized organiza- tion and the responsibility placed in the hands of state committees, that we secure a reaction from our State Chairmen which would give us a bearing on state conditions in order to calculate with some degree of definiteness the possibilities of the country at large. This procedure proved most beneficial to the state or- ganizations and gave us a barometric reading. It was during this second phase that the Motion Picture Industry disseminated throughout the country the “ Invisible Guest ” film, and organized the Motion Picture Managers for collections and contributions from receipts on the days of January twenty-sixth and twenty-ninth. This movement, apart from its value in ultimately furnishing further moneys in substantial amount, served as a powerful publicity organ. The interest and labor of our Motion Picture friends were so energetic and widespread it would be difficult to esti- mate the value of their efforts. The Young Women’s Christian Association felt that as a component member of the Council it should under- take a definite activity on its part, and on a given date throughout the country devoted the proceeds of its Cafe- terias’ lunches to the Council. 20 EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL It was also during this period that national efforts were made by such important fraternal organizations as the Masons, Elks, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, etc. The second phase actually proved to be the most intensive portion of the campaign, for publicity had reached its height, state organizations were most active and the varied national efforts were receiving the maximum of stimulation. It was at the end of this phase, during the latter Sters ig part of February, that it was possible to make the Cottection announcement that thirty-six out of forty-eight states were to finish their campaigns by March fifteenth, and that with pledges and expectancies in the amount of $2,000,000 to come from the balance of the states which decided voluntarily to continue, we were confident of an amount between $28,000,000 and $29,000,000. Be- cause of these facts, the European Relief Council was able to reach a decision as to a division of funds available from all sources among the distributing organizations. Extracts from the minutes of the European Relief Council under date of February twenty-fourth, 1921, are quoted below, defining the action taken. The Chair- man, in analyzing the origin of the amount estimated as available, stated: “that previous understandings had assured the following resources direct to the societies which should be considered as pricrities to them. $5,000,000 to the American Red Cross; 3,250,000 to the American Relief Administra- tion; 2,200,000 to the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. 700,000 to the American Friends’ Service Committee; 21 EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL Thus, there remained approximately $17,600,000 available for division. The Chairman read an exchange of correspondence between himself and Mr. Warburg regarding a settle- ment with the Joint Distribution Committee, and with Mr. Jones and Mr. Thomas regarding settlement with the American Friends’ Service Committee, all of which was ratified by the Council. After discussion of the respective necessities and available funds the following resolutions were proposed and carried: RESOLVED, That the sum of $5,000,000 be paid over by the Council to the American Red Cross for medical care and attention to children, in addition to their own subvention of $5,000,000 and that from this allocation the Red Cross should provide for such portion of the medical service of the Jewish Joint Distribution Com- mittee as may be agreed upon between them. On motion, duly seconded and carried, it was ReEso.tveD, That after provision of this amount to the American Red Cross, all remain- ing balance, approximately $12,600,000, should be allocated to the American Relief Administra- tion and that the arrangements proposed in the correspondence between the American Relief Administration and the Joint Distribution Com- mittee and between the American Relief Ad- ministration and the American Friends’ Service Committee are unanimously approved. On motion, duly seconded and carried, it was RESOLVED, That the American Relief Ad- ministration be authorized to take over and liquidate the entire drive, the Red Cross under- taking to contribute $100,000 to the cost thereof.” It should be noted that during this collection there was occurring a special drive among the colleges and 22 EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL higher schools of the country for European Student relief by the Young Men’s Christian Association, based on an understanding that had been reached between this organization and the American Relief Adminis- tration. In view of the fact that this special appeal was being conducted under the auspices of Mr. Hoover, many of these schools and colleges came to consider that it was a part of the National Collection for child relief and therefore arrangements were made with the Young Men’s Christian Association that our State Chairmen should assist in collecting this special fund as well. C. Third Phase The third and last period of collection confined cam- Close of A oat : Collection paign activities to fourteen states, the closing of our active publicity and plans for final reports and account- ing; in fact it was on the fifteenth of March that the Publicity Department was able to end. At the opening of this last phase, early in March, it was announced publicly that with the assurance at the time of practically twenty-nine million dollars, the National Collection was being brought to an end. It was stated that with the reduction in costs, resulting from lower prices for food commodities, the program set forth could be met with a sum less than originally announced, and that therefore further country-wide demand upon the public was unnecessary. Finally, the fourteen states continuing were re- quested to cease their operations by April first. TV. PROMINENT FEATURES The value and strength the component organizations Member of the Council rendered this collection cannot be given NS SeR concretely because of the variety and breadth of influ- ences they exerted. Many of our State Committee reports contain material which sets forth the accom- 23 American Friends’ Service Committee American Red Cross American Relief Adminis- tration EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL plishments of the members and committees of these organizations, and this report would have to be of great length to cover this aspect of the appeal. The fact that with one exception the members of these organizations on our Executive Committee were invariably present from day to day at National Headquarters, dealing with every matter which could be taken up with their people throughout the country speaks for the co-opera- tion and collaboration of the member associations of the Council. The American Friends’ Service Committee, al- though collecting funds through its own channels for child relief in Germany, rendered most valuable assist- ance in all parts of the country through its volunteer membership. Three states were headed by representa- tives of this organization and through its members at Headquarters substantial support of state committees was most evident. ‘The services of its appointees on the Field Organization Staff were volunteered and of great help. The direct effort of the American Red Cross in its own organization was toward the contribution of funds from local Red Cross Chapters throughout the country. This realized in direct returns approximately $600,000. Moreover, a movement of this nature by an organiza- tion of such wide influence and standing as the Ameri- can Red Cross helped to impress upon the public the importance not only of the consolidation of outstanding American associations for a single purpose, but also that this rescuing of child life in Europe was essential. The widespread membership of the Red Cross brought large and scattered individual voluntary support. The American Relief Administration, not being a permanent organization, had no national equipment and secured its representatives, apart from those con- 24 EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL tinuing from its Business Men’s Appeal, by direct re- quest of its Chairman, Mr. Hoover. In many instances the State Chairmanship was borne by the American Relief Administration’s representative and the bulk of its contribution to the active work was in such capacity as no organization of its own existed in any state. The contribution of the Federal Council of Churches, pane tie apart from the efforts of its members at National Head- Council of quarters, has already been set forth in another portion oe pata of this report. in America The Joint Distribution Committee was of positive Joint Dis- assistance in securing quick state organization and in aie stimulating its state representatives to bring about results. Among its state representatives there were several striking examples of splendid organization and administrative accomplishment. ‘This group exhibited a constant universal co-operation. The Knights of Columbus furnished a very com- Knights of plete group of representatives for state organization Columbus and, apart from support of state committees, secured contributions through some of their chapters. The National Catholic Welfare Council did not The join the European Relief Council until GO TUA ys Negas twenty-fourth, 1921, when organization was complete welfare and the campaign drawing to a close. Under the Council circumstances, that Council, naturally, did not take an active part in the collection. The individual effort of the Young Men’s Christian Young Association, though outside the Council Appeal, as clan bua stated previously, was the securing of funds from insti- Association tutions of education for student relief in Europe. At the same time the association contributed most substan- tially to the collection in the support received from a great number of its representatives. In several instances 25 Young Women’s Christian Association Commodity Donations Community Chests EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL men connected with this Association acted as Chairmen of State Committees or served in the capacity of State Directors or Executives. The national organization gave great assistance in its constant attendance upon the various problems which Headquarters had to handle. An important activity of the Young Women’s Chris- tian Association has already been mentioned in its col- lections in cafeterias. In many instances its members were in charge of the women’s work in the states, and this group again was most helpful in securing and directing the effort of its representatives from National Headquarters. When our appeal penetrated the agricultural states, we found in several instances that those desiring to give were substantially handicapped because the whole com- munity was in a condition of financial stringency, due to the general economic depression. When brought to our attention we were able to assist this situation mate- rially by arranging with the American Relief Adminis- tration to accept gifts of food in kind that could be applied on the child feeding program and also that this organization purchase, prices being favorable, food- stuffs produced in those states in which surplus stocks had brought acute financial conditions. In connection with this matter, it should be borne in mind that the entire proceeds of the collection were not available for food purchases as substantial sums were to be expended in medical care and service as foregoing portions of the report have already outlined. While all the Community Chests of the country were asked to contribute, in the early plans of organi- zation representations were made personally to the large Chests. By the end of the campaign thirty Com- munity or War Chests had either contributed or had made definite arrangements with us to furnish specific 26 EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL amounts. The contribution from these sources was approximately $1,000,000. With high regard for the constructive plan of giving contained in the Community Chest idea, it was our policy to present our appeal to them and be entirely guided by their proposals as to a collection from their respective communities. By this method we felt we were assisting toward a country-wide development of this wise scheme of handling the public support of charities. Moreover, because there existed a constructive organization such as the National In- formation Bureau, which made a personal investigation of conditions in Europe through its Director, Mr. Barry Smith, we found a valuable source through which the various Community Chests could secure an independent opinion, not only of the needs but the operation of American relief in the various countries of Europe. The economic situation throughout the country had Life changed so materially since the “ war drives,” we es- Quotas tablished the principle of not imposing quotas on the old war drive basis. Where quotas were requested, they were assigned in the number of lives saved rather than in dollars. Out of this there grew a number of pictur- esque schemes of raising funds in many localities. The thought of saving a life for Ten Dollars carried a dis- tinct appeal. Furthermore, it brought home to the people the efficiency with which the operations in Europe were conducted. To extend this idea, an “ Invisible Guest ”’ certifi- cate was prepared and used as a receipt for contribu- tions so far as possible. The enlistment by Headquarters of national bodies National in aid of the National Collection was an important 67?%?* phase. In addition to urging all State Committees to secure the co-operation of social, civic and business or- ganizations, such groups as the Rotary and Kiwanis 27 Cost of Collection Leaders in Collection Women’s Activity EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL Clubs, United States Chamber of Commerce, Fraternal orders, Boy and Girl Scouts, Junior Red Cross, Ameri- can Express, racial societies, etc., endorsed the move- ment and e:listed the support of their local organiza- tions. Both President Wilson and President-elect Harding endorsed the appeal and each took a number of these guests into their homes. Practically all the Governors of states, as well; endorsed the collection, and a number issued proclamations. V. Importrant NOTATIONS The expenses of the campaign, as stated elsewhere, were borne to some extent by the component associa- tions, but in the main by the American Relief Adminis- tration who provided the necessary funds out of the net income of its Food Draft operations for the benefit of child feeding. Thus the costs did not fall upon the donors to this collection. When considered in connec- tion with the amount of money raised, the total expense figures substantially less than two and one-half per cent of that amount. Proportionate to its financial resources, the territory of Alaska led every committee, insular and state, in the size of its contribution. North Dakota takes the leading position among the states in this regard and Oregon was the first to obtain its quota. The influence and active labors of the women of the country in this collection cannot be over-estimated. Its object naturally appealed to their sympathy. Their universal presence upon local and state committees, their attendance at public gatherings in support of this appeal, a composite picture of the Invisible Guest Din- ners of the country, all vividly illustrate their response to the call of helpless children. We believe that the interest shown by the women in this cause was a moving 28 EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL factor in the large number of individual and wide- spread donations. The extensive support of the schools, so apparent in the returns, can be attributed in great measure to those women who are devoting their lives to the education of the children of the land. This collection, its needs and preparations, were in Type of the nature of emergency, and if the groundwork had **??°"t been prepared and finished before it was launched, a period of three months’ preliminary organization would have been necessary. Under these circumstances, the cost would have been undoubtedly much greater and there is a very distinct question whether the results of more intensive preliminary work, with the increased cost, would have been any more advantageous. It would seem that a more extended preparation might have destroyed enthusiasm. All of this marks the type of citizens who associated themselves with this movement. Despite the fact that there was practically no paid press advertising, the press gave most generously of their Support space, both in the news and editorial columns. The initiative displayed by editors of the daily, weekly and monthly publications and many trade journals must be recognized as one of the prime factors in the progress of the appeal. Another striking feature was the quick response and pybjic confidence inspired in the contributing public when 4ttention there was brought to their attention the methods under which the relief was conducted in Europe. Although there was stressed throughout the appeal smaii the importance of personal solicitation, as it was felt Contribu- that the economic depression would render funds more reas easily available from those able to contribute substan- tially, the number and country-wide distribution of small contributions speaks for a universal support, which was surprising and outstripped all calculation. 29 Volunteers Safeguard in Expend- ing Funds Unusual Qualities of Service EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL There were over three thousand volunteer commit- tees scattered throughout the United States. These committees and their supporters no doubt experienced a certain amount of overlapping of appeals in view of the activities of eight separate large organi- zations working for one purpose. ‘This, however, was bound to occur in an emergency combination, and any duplication of appeal was entirely unimportant when it is considered that the formation of the Council was largely for the purpose of making certain that in Europe there would be no overlapping of the expen- diture of the funds collected. Although the services and efforts of individual workers throughout this collection had the impetus which is so universal when children are helpless and in this instance the innocent sufferers and pitiful wreck- age of war, in a work of this nature there have existed most natural possibilities for misunderstandings and difficulties, especially where so many of the workers were unknown to each other; therefore, with the close of the campaign there is a sense of real appre- ciation for the unusual forbearance and spirit of co- operation which has been so marked in State Chairmen and their associates. The success of the collection rested very largely in the leadership and organization plans of these executives. Without their individual initiative and willingness to accept our suggestions, Headquarters would have been entirely unable to have brought the national effort to a successful conclusion. Moreover, whatever success there has been in the work of the Control Committee, a large measure of tribute must be extended to the members of the staff, without whom this Committee could not have borne its responsibilities. The sources of appreciation and admiration for their labors rest chiefly in the fact that 30 EUROPEAN RELIEF COUNCIL they spent their energies with a sense of service which sought no personal glory, but only the satisfaction of serving a vital charity. There was constantly present in their work the reflection of that type of service rendered the American public for over six years by our eminent Chairman under whom we have been privileged to conduct our activities. Respectfully submitted, Hersert L. Gutrerson, Chairman; H. J. HuGuHes. $1