Library Collections: Document: Full Text

By Lillian K. Donovan, Secretary, The National Patients' Committee

THE TIME, ANY HOUR -- THE PLACE, THE GEORGIA WARM SPRINGS FOUNDATION -- THE PRINCIPALS, THE PATIENTS AND GUESTS. The place humming, wires, specials and letters pouring in from every corner of the states and Canada, all commending the National Patients' Committee on the spectacular start of this month old organization. Letters with checks, postage, all expressing the same desire, the privilege to help. Newspapers carrying inspired editorials with the words POLIO and CRUSADE as their themes. Dr. John Ruhrah, president of the organization, has inspired all by his outstanding enthusiasm. The patients' MORALE running high. Groups and sub-groups working day and night to make a showing.

The Finance Group, with Larry Dorety of St. Paul, as its efficient chairman (by the way, Larry left the first to return to Leland Stanford to continue his law course) made splendid strides, the returns from the 500 letters sent to Alumni (former patients) surpassed all expectations. The Friends of Warm Springs, sub-group of finance under the guidance of Mrs. Hugh Love, Indianapolis, has an extensive mailing list and the returns are bound to go over the top. Mrs. Love resigned, having to return home, and Jack Norris is carrying on the work. The Publicity Chairman, William Aukerman, of Altoona, Pa., has turned in most encouraging reports from the various sub groups under his department, namely, Magazine, with Mrs. Arthur Carpenter, of Warm Springs, as the capable chairman, receiving replies from letters sent to the leading magazines, expressing their desire to cooperate. During Mrs. T. Pottinger's (of Atlanta) absence Mr. McHutchinson took over the leadership of the news-paper group and 222 papers formed the mailing list, and Dr. Frank Brostrom, our staff, wrote an article to be used. Peggy Clark, of New York City, has resigned as chairman of the Health Department, for she is returning to Smith College. -- Responses from nearly every State Health Department have been received giving statistics and valuable information about Polio.

Paul Rogers, of Atlanta, has given much time to drafting letters asking for information from the National Hotel Association, American Automobile Association regarding hotel conveniences and licenses for Polio drivers. Mrs. Trimble, of Asheville, N. C., chairman of the Education of the Public, is striving to educate the public with the knowledge of Polio by way of the Movies, News Reels and the Radio. Leaflets are being prepared by Dr. John Ruhrah and Miss Alice Lou Plastridge on the various stages of the disease. The Entertainment Group with Ralph Keating of Los Altos, California, and his able assistant, Bernard Katz, Perth Amboy, N. J., have largely increased the Patients' Aid Fund through their efforts.

Other Groups: Insurance of a Polio, William Ethridge, West Point, Miss.; Essay and Suggestions, Grace Townsend, Oneonta, N. Y.; Clubs, Mrs. Mark Golden, Passaic, N. J., are awaiting replies from various letters asking for desired information.

Elena Lincoln, of Redwood City, California, is Librarian of all literature pertaining to Polios. The Advisory Board is cooperating in every possible way with its chairman, Mr. Arthur Carpenter, who was among the first to see the real value of such a Crusade and possessing the faculty of organizing and inspiring others, has helped tremendously this almost holy cause.

Building up the Patients' Aid Fund, we desire to make the Pride of our Achievement. Think of a lovely child, touched in the blooming, adoring parents, no means for the after-treatment, a lost chance. Too, take GLORIOUS YOUTH, standing on the steps of college, struck down overnight, the very door of tomorrow closed noiselessly in their faces. YOU, READER, can open that door and give them the joy of overcoming a handicap.

Recently a high class periodical published the profile of a muchly beloved personage, Franklin D. Roosevelt, in speaking of his illness, the last line was so outstanding, "IT WAS A GRAVE AND ABRUPT GOODBYE TO YOUTH," spoke volumes, did it not? Health could never really comprehend that meaning. One needs not be a POLIO to be a CRUSADER. WHAT A GLORIOUS FEELING TO HAVE HELPED ALONG THIS TRAIL.