Page:The North Carolina Historical Review - Volume 1, Number 1.pdf/30

28 Choyce of the Lancaster Regiment, England, and Mr. Charles W. Whitehair, a returned Y. M. C. A, worker.

On February 12th and 13th, 1918, there was held in Raleigh the War Savings institute to which were invited by the Governor of the State, every county superintendent of public instruction, every superintendent of a town or city school, every general demonstration agent, every home demonstration agent, one physician from each county in the State, and the chairman of the county executive committee of each political party in the State. There were present six hundred and seventy-three delegates from one hundred counties, representing practically every industrial, social, political, and educational interest in North Carolina. The addresses of Mr. Whitehair, Mr. J. E. Kavanaugh, Col. Thomas B. McAdams, and Judge J. H. Moyle gave an impetus to the War Savings Campaign, the effect of which was felt the balance of the year.

As has been stated, every effort was made to reach every element of our people. In the spring of 1918 farmers were encouraged to plant Victory Acres, and devote the proceeds thereof to the purchase of War Savings Stamps. Children in town and country were encouraged to plant Thrift Gardens and use the money made from them for the purchase of Stamps. Men who were able to do so were asked to purchase $1,000.00 worth of War Savings Stamps and join the Limit Club. Men of still larger means were asked to purchase $1,000.00 worth of stamps for each member of their family and thereby join the Family Limit Club. Several colleges in the State were solicited to cover 100 per cent by having every student pledge himself to purchase one or more War Saving Stamps. The same plan was adopted for industrial plants.

It may be said that the first six months of the year 1918 were devoted to a campaign of education to show all the people of North Carolina that every one of them had a part in helping to win the War. There was scarcely a soul in North Carolina to whom some War Savings Worker did not carry a message about the War during the spring and summer of 1918.

The latter half of 1918 was devoted primarily to selling Stamps with which to help finance the War. In April Mr. Frank Vanderlip, chairman of the National War Savings Committee, called a conference in New York of the State Directors and their assistants. He laid before them a plan of campaign