Lester F. Scott to Woodrow Wilson

Last June you graciously accepted your election as Honorary President of the Camp Fire Girls, at the same time that Hon. William Howard Taft became our Honorary Vice President.

We feel that the following record is, in a great measure, attributable to the inspiration of your name and the knowledge of your interest. The membership of the organization has grown steadily month by month since the declaration of war until it is now well over a hundred thousand.

The following figures which have been taken from the annual reports just sent in by the Guardians of the Fire all over the country will, I am sure, be of interest to you:
1. Food Saving: The number who followed out the rules for food conservation laid down in the program which was submitted to you were 68,474.
2. Gardening: Gardens were maintained by 70,448.
3. Red Cross: The number contributing money and co-operating with the Red Cross was 83,356.
4. Caring for Children: In order that mothers might be released for important work in connection with the food conservation campaign, 37,690 girls cared for little children.
5. Minute Girl Program: Those carrying on a rigorous health program, such as walking 100 miles a month, keeping free from colds for two consecutive months, numbered 58,558.

The girls have made a fine record in connection with the second Liberty Loan. In Elberton, Georgia alone, a Camp Fire sold $12,000 worth of bonds.

As you probably know, the Camp Fire Girls is a self-supporting organization, and fortunately has not had to look to the country at large for means of maintainance during these trying times. Our girls have not only supported their own organization, but have contributed thousands of dollars to the Red Cross during the recent campaign. Total contributions of over $40,000 to the Red Cross alone were recorded, and they are slowly building up a War Work Fund of their own which has already been pledged over $10,000.

I am writing that you may know that the organized girls of the country are putting their shoulders to the wheel and are standing solidly with you in this time of great national stress.

Early in March the organization passes its sixth birthday. There will be held in every large city in the country a great Patriotic Rally for the girls at that time. Would it not be possible for you to send to us a word of greeting and perhaps of advice which may be included in our February Bulletin? I am not overstating the matter when I say that this, more than any other thing, would help to solidify them and encourage them for another year of patriotic War Work.Secretary.

LFS.
M