Woodrow Wilson to John R. Mott
Title
Woodrow Wilson to John R. Mott
Creator
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Identifier
WWP25430
Date
1918 November 8
Description
President Wilson gives his support to the agencies in the United War Campaign.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
World War, 1914-1918--United States
Charities--United States
United War Work Campaign, Inc.
Contributor
Danna Faulds
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
My dear Mr. Mott:
It has been with sincere gratification that I have observed the whole-hearted cooperation of 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 in response to my request that they combine their respective financial drives in one United War Work Campaign, November 11.18, to secure the sum of at least $170,500,000 for their invaluable work. The wise economy of money and effort, the increased efficiency which will result from a blending of experience, the creation of an atmosphere of truer understanding, the unmistakable evidence of a growing unity of spirit and the influence of all this in strengthening the national solidarity is reassuring in the extreme.
As you now stand on the threshold of presenting your appeal to the entire American people, I wish to renew the impression of my conviction that the service rendered by those welfare agencies is indispensable, and my earnest hope for the abundant success of the Campaign. The inevitable growth of the Army and Navy, and the multiplying demands for our help from France, Italy and Russia, make it clear that a generous oversubscription is highly desirable. No matter how distant the day of peace may prove to be, it will be followed by a long period of demobilization, during which the opportunity and need for the constructive work of these organizations will be quite as great as in war time, and I am glad to note that your plans contemplate serving the soldiers and sailors in this critically important period. I am particularly pleased to know of the comprehensive program of education to be carried out during the coming months.
Gifts that provide the service which this Campaign makes possible are not so much gifts to organizations as gifts,- invaluable gifts,- to our soldiers, sailors and marines and constitute an appropriate expression of our gratitude for their patriotic and unselfish devotion. The whole plan of the United War Work Campaign is inspiring and is most emphatically in the interest of the nation and of all the lands with which we are associated in these momentous days.
Cordially and sincerely yours,
[Woodrow Wilson]
Dr. John R. Mott, Director General,
United War Work Campaign,
347 Madison Avenue, New York.
It has been with sincere gratification that I have observed the whole-hearted cooperation of 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 in response to my request that they combine their respective financial drives in one United War Work Campaign, November 11.18, to secure the sum of at least $170,500,000 for their invaluable work. The wise economy of money and effort, the increased efficiency which will result from a blending of experience, the creation of an atmosphere of truer understanding, the unmistakable evidence of a growing unity of spirit and the influence of all this in strengthening the national solidarity is reassuring in the extreme.
As you now stand on the threshold of presenting your appeal to the entire American people, I wish to renew the impression of my conviction that the service rendered by those welfare agencies is indispensable, and my earnest hope for the abundant success of the Campaign. The inevitable growth of the Army and Navy, and the multiplying demands for our help from France, Italy and Russia, make it clear that a generous oversubscription is highly desirable. No matter how distant the day of peace may prove to be, it will be followed by a long period of demobilization, during which the opportunity and need for the constructive work of these organizations will be quite as great as in war time, and I am glad to note that your plans contemplate serving the soldiers and sailors in this critically important period. I am particularly pleased to know of the comprehensive program of education to be carried out during the coming months.
Gifts that provide the service which this Campaign makes possible are not so much gifts to organizations as gifts,- invaluable gifts,- to our soldiers, sailors and marines and constitute an appropriate expression of our gratitude for their patriotic and unselfish devotion. The whole plan of the United War Work Campaign is inspiring and is most emphatically in the interest of the nation and of all the lands with which we are associated in these momentous days.
Cordially and sincerely yours,
[Woodrow Wilson]
Dr. John R. Mott, Director General,
United War Work Campaign,
347 Madison Avenue, New York.
Original Format
Letter
To
Mott, John R. (John Raleigh), 1865-1955
Files
Collection
Citation
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924, “Woodrow Wilson to John R. Mott,” 1918 November 8, WWP25430, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.