Woodrow Wilson to John R. Mott

Woodrow Wilson to John R. Mott

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

WWP22562

1918 November 2

Letter from the President to John R. Mott about United War Work Campaign

Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers, 1786-1957

English

To Dr. John R. Mott,
Director General of the United War Work Campaign.

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 promise of increased efficiency which will resulting from a blending of experience, the creation of an atmosphere of larger understanding, the unmistakable signs 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 expression of my conviction that the belief in the indispensable character of the service rendered by these 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 coming 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 the 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 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 extreme 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.

Enclosure

John R. Mott