The Springfield WSS Plan

Title

The Springfield WSS Plan

Creator

Thornton W. Burgess

Identifier

WWP22316

Date

1918 April 2

Source

Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers, 1786-1957

Text

THE SPRINGFIELD WSS PLAN.

Happy Jack's Thrift Club.

Simultaneous publication in the local press of the Happy Jack Thrift Club stories, one each day.

The use of these stories day by day as they appear for supplementary reading in the lower grades of the public schools.

At the conclusion of the last story announcement by the teachers that copy Happy Jack's Thrift Club is a reality and explanation of how each child may become a member by purchasing a 25 cent Thrift Stamp.

The giving of a Happy Jack button with the first Thrift Stamp.

The giving of a handsome certificate of membership with the first War-Savings Stamp.

The placing in all school-rooms, store windows and at all places where the stamps are sold of large two color poster-cards of Happy Jack himself pointing to a big sign bearing the legend: Happy Jack's WSS Thrift Club. Also a like use of smaller cards bearing Happy Jack sayings and slogans.

The use of these slogans, always with a drawing of Happy Jack, on all the theatre curtains.

The making of every Tuesday "Thrift Day" in the public schools with appropriate matter in the school work.

The encouragement of rivalry between various rooms in a school for the honor of leading in the number of stamps bought by the pupils.

Enlistment of all the school children to secure members outside of school by furnishing each child with five regular post office order cards to be filled out by five individuals, preferably adults. These cards are to be returned to the teachers within two days and by the teachers turned over to the postmaster who will fill the orders for stamps and deliver by the carriers. A button goes to each who signs a card. An attractive booklet containing the five stories is given each child who turns in five signed cards. These booklets are published by the Committee on Public Safety.

The giving of entertainments for children at which admission will be gained by the purchase of a Thrift Stamp at the door.

Popularization of the slogans. "Be a Happy Jack" and "You will be happier for being a Happy Jack".

Special features to appeal to the popular fancy from time to time such as having Farmer Brown's boy sell stamps in a vacant store on Main Street.

Keeping the newspapers supplied with news regarding the club and its activities.

Letters from Happy Jack himself to the children in one of the local papers in which a Happy Jack corner has been established.

Continual reiteration in every possible way that buying War-Savings Stamps is direct service to the nation and at the same time immediate gain to the individual.

Original Format

Enclosure

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/WWI0985A.pdf

Collection

Citation

Thornton W. Burgess, “The Springfield WSS Plan,” 1918 April 2, WWP22316, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.