War-savings societies,what they are and how to organize them ...

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NATIONAL WAR- SAVINGS COMMITTEE

War- Savings Societies

What They Are

and

How to Organize Them

WAR SAVINGS STAMPS

ISSUED BY THE

UNITED STATES

GOVERNMENT

SAVE MONEY AND YOU SAVE LIVES

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

1918

nti

tiO

\1i^

%\K%

THE PURPOSES OF WAR-SAVINGS

hS

^ SOCIETIES.

The letters W. S. S. stand for War-Savings Stamps and for War-Savings Societies.
The purposes of the War-Sa^^.ngs Societies are :

1. To awalcen a realization among the men, women, and children of America that
in their hands lies the key to the successful prosecution of the war ; that they can render
the most far-reaching patriotic service through refraining from the purchase of unneces-
sary articles, confining themselves to the use of such things as are necessary for health
and efficiency, thus releasing labor and materials for the support of our armies in the
field; that there is not enough labor in the United States to produce the great variety
of articles needed to support our soldiers and at the same time provide all the com-
forts and luxuries we enjoyed before the war.

2. To lay the foundation for thrift and economy throughout the United^ States and
to bring home to the people the fact that intelligent and consistent saving is not a dry
problem in economics, but is the most vital step toward personal success.

3. To obtain for the Government a large amount of money thi'ough the sale of Thrift
Stamps and War-Sa\inga Stamps — little Government bonds — the safest and best
investment in the world, and at the same time provide a method by which the small
investor may put his savings at the immediate ser\T.ce of his country. Members of
War-SaA'ings Societies pledge themselves to support the Government by refraining
from unnecessary expenditures, by systematic saving, and by obtaining new members.

HOW TO ORGANIZE WAR-SAVINGS SOCIETIES.

Ten or more persons may organize a War-Savings Society. They may meet in the
factory, school, church, clubhouse, the home of one of the m-embers, or at any other
convenient place. School children may hold meetings in their classrooms at such
times as will not interfere with their work.

At the first meeting of the organizers, one of the persons present should be selected
temporary chairman, and one temporary secretary. The chairman should preside
over the meeting and the secretary should keep a record of what takes place.

A resolution should then Ije adopted in favor of organizing a War-Sa-\T.ngs Society,
to be affiliated with the Ts'ational War-Savings Committee.

The one requirement for membership in a War-Sa\'ings Society is that the person
apphdng shall sign the application for membership and the pledge for thrift ser\-ice
prescril)"ed by the National War-Sa\'ings Committee, as hereafter set forth.

If at least 10 of the persons present vote in favor of organizing a War-Sa\dngs Society,
by-laws for the government of the society should be adopted and a president and sec-
retary elected.

The secretary should then prepare the minutes of the meeting and should send a
report to the State Director of War-Sa\ing3. The names and addresses of the State
Directors appear on the last page of this book.

The president and secretary should be instructed to fill out the application blank
hereafter set forth, directed to the State Dii-ector, asking that the society be desig-
nated as a War-Savings Society, affiliated with the National War-Sa^dngs Committee,
and the society's secretary should mail the blank to the State Director.

When the j^reliminary steps for the organization of the society have been taken,
the meeting should be thrown open for a full discussion by the members of ways and
means best to accomplish the objects for which the society is organized. As a guide
to such discussion, the secretary might read the suggestions hereafter set forth.

The minutes of each meeting should be kept by the secretary. Suggested forms
for the organization of a "War-Sa\dngs Society are attached and the work of organizing
a society can be greatly simplified if these forms are followed.

WAR-SAVINGS SERVICE BADGES.

In recognition of their spirit of patriotism the Government will bestow upon members
of War-Savings Societies badges designating degrees of service. Ever\ individual
who becomes a member of a War-Savings Society will be given an attractive badge

WAR-SAVINGS SOCIETIES. 3

bearing a design of the torch of Liberty encircled with the words "War-Savings
Service."

Members of War-Savings Societies who have made a special effort to get new mem-
bers will be given a further recognition in the nature of a distinctive badge bearing
the design of the torch of Liberty, the words "War-Savings Service," and bearing
stars to denote the following degrees of service:

First. One star, indicating that the member has secured 10 members, each of whom
has acquired a War-Savings Stamp or Thrift Stamps of e(iual value.

Second. Two stars, indicating that the member has secured 25 members, each of
whom has acquired a War-Savings Stamp or Thrift Stamps of equal value.

Third. Three stars, indicating that the member has secured 50 members, each of
whom has acquii-cd a War-Savings Stamp or Thrift Stamps of equal value.

Fourth. Fo\ir stars, indicating that tlie member has secured 100 members, each
of whom has acquired a Wai'-Savings Stamp or Thrift Stamps of equal value.

Fifth. Five stars, indicating that the member has secured 200 members, each of
whom has acquired a War-Savings Stamp or Thrift Stamps of equal value.

In order to secure a badge denoting a higher distinction it will be necessary for the
member to surrender the badge of membership or grade of distinction vvhich he then
holds.

The badges will be distributed under the direction of the Federal Directors, acting
through their respective State Directors, theii' county chairmen, local committees,
and such other organizing agents as it may be found desirable to use in the formation
of War-Saving-s Societies. The badges will be suppliad by State Directors to the
officers of WaV-Savings Societies to be given by them to the respective members in
accordance with the above.

Note. — In schools and other organizations where desired the holders of starred
buttons may be designated as Soldier, Captain, Major, Colonel, and Creneral of War-
Savings, resi>8ctively. The school awards will be based upon the number of associate
members and pledged war savers secured, irrespective of the amount each has saved.

SUGGESTED FORMS FOR THE
ORGANIZATION OF A WAR-SAVINGS SOCIETY.

MINUTES OF THE FIRST MEETING.

The preliminary organization meeting of the War-Savings Society of

(Name)

was held on the day of , 19.., at

'Town and State)

o'clock M. at

The following persons were present:

The meeting was called to order by , who was selected as temporary

chairman was selected as temporary secretary.

After discussion, it was moved and carried that a War-Savings Society be organized

under the name of War-Savings Society of , to be affiliated

with the National War-Savings Comxmittee.

Thereupon all of the persons present, and desiring to join the society, signed the
application for membership and pledge for Thrift service, the original of which is
attached to and made a part of these minutes.

It was then moved and carried that by-laws be adopted for the government of tho
society, and the following by-laws were thereupon unanimously adopted.

4 WAR-SAVINGS SOCIETIES.

BY LAWS
of the

War-Savings Society,

affiliated with the

National War-Savings Committee.

I. Name.

The name of this society shall be War-Savings Society of

(Name.) (Town and State.)

II. Objects.

The objects of this society are to promote systematic saving and self-denial on the
part of each' member so that labor and materials now employed in the production
of those things which are not essential to our daily life may be used in the production
of war materials and supplies, which ouj- Government must have to enable it to win
this war ; to encourage economy and thrift in the community in which the members
live; to work for the growth of War-Savings Societies; to invest in United States
War-Savings Stamps and Thrift Stamps, and to induce others so to do, thereby
helping the Government, the individual members of the society, and the com-
munity in which the members live.

III. Membership.

All persons pledging themselves to the objects of this society shall be eligible for
membership.

IV. Officers.

The officersof this society shall be a President and a Seci-etary. The President shall
preside at all meetings of the society, shall see that the affairs of the society are properly
managed , and shall cause the books or accounts of the Secretary to be audited fi-om time
to time.

The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the society and a record
of the total purchases of War-Savings Stamps and Thrift Stamps made for the members
of the society. He shall make monthly reports to the chairman of the local War-
Savings Committee of the total amount of War-Savings Stamps and Thrift Stamps
owned by the members of the society, and he shall be the means of communication
between the society and the local and State War-Savings Committees.

The officers of the society shall serve without compensation for a period of one year,
or until their successors are elected and qualify.

V. Meetings.

Meetings of the society shall be held at least twice each month at such times and
places as the society by the vote of its members shall determine. Five or more
members shall constitute a ciuorum for the transaction of business.

VI. Amendments.
These by-laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the society by a majority
vote of the full membership of the society.

The society then proceeded to the election of permanent officers.

On motion duly made and carried was elected President of the society

(Name.)

and was elected Secretary.

(Name.)

It was then moved and carried that the President and Secretary be directed to make
application with the approval of the State Director for a certificate designating this

society as the War-Savings Society of , affiliated wkh

the National War-Savings Committee, appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury.

It was further moved and carried that the Secretary report the organization of this
society to the chaii-man of the local War-Savings Committee.

Thereupon it was moved and carried that regular meetings of the society be held
at on

There being no further business, on motion made and carried, the meeting adjourned.

Secretary.
Note to the Secretary:

These minutes should be filled out and entered in a blank book, which will thereafter serve as the mmute
book for the society.

The Secretary vnW find on the following pages forms for:

1. Application for individual membership and pledge for Thrift ser^ace.

2. Application to the State Director of War SaAongs.

3. Report of organization to be made to the State Director of War Savings.
These forms should all be carefully filled out by you and forwarded as indicated.

WAE-SAVINGS SOCIETIES. 5

FORM OF APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP, AND PLEDGE FOR THRIFT

SERVICE.

I hereby apply for niemborship in the War-Savings Society of

and pledge myself (I ) to systematic sa\ang; (2) to refrain from unneces-
sary expenditures and the purchase of nonessentials, in order that labor and material
now employed in the production of articles not necessary' to my health and efSciency
may be released for the production of those articles and supplies which the United
States needs for the support of its Army and Navy; (3) to lend my earnest efforts
to encourage thrift and economy in my community and to secure other members
for this society; and (4) to invest in United States War- Savings Stamps and Thrift
Stamps, and. to encourage others so to do.

(Signature)

(Address)

Date 19...

iVo<f.— Pledge cards embodying the pledge will be furnished by the State Director.

REPORT OF ORGANIZATION.

To THE State DmECTOR of "War Savings:

, 19.

(Place.) (Date)

(City.) (State.)

The undersigned society was on the day of duly organized and

incloses application to be designated as the War-Savings Society of

, affiliated mth the National War-Savings Committee. Kindly approve

the inclosed application and transmit it to the National War-SaA-ings Committee,
Washington, D. C. The officers of the society are as follows:

President

Secretary

Regular meetings of the society will be held at on the

War-Savings Society of

By-

Attest:

(Secretaiy.)
(Address of secretai-y.)

(Its president.)

; 19...

(Place.) (Date.)

To the National War-Savings Committee,

Washington, D. C.
The V/ar-Savings Society of , having been duly organ-
ized, hereby respectfully requests that it be designated as a War-Sa\dngs Society
affiliated with the National War-Savings Committee.

War-Savings Society op

Attest:

(Its secretary.)

(Its president.)

f Street..,
Secretarv's address! f^?^^^^^*

IState
Application approved:

(State Director of War Savings.)

Mail these two blanks, filled out, to the State Director of War Savings of your State (name and
address hereafter given). He will approve and send to the National War-Savings Committee the one
addressed to that body.

WAR-SAVINGS SOCIETIES.

SUGGESTIONS,

Meetings.

It is suggested that each War-Savings Society elect a committee of three or five of
its members to be known as the Program Committee, who will arrange a program for
each meeting. One of the officers of the society should be a member of this com-
mittee. The meetings should be made interesting and instructive. The following
outline may be helpful to the Program Committee:

1. An announcement to be made at each meeting of the total amount of War-Savings
Stamps and Thrift Stamps owned by the members at the close of the preceding month.

2. A form, hereafter shown, is provided for the Secretary to keep a record of pur-
chases of War-Savings and Thrift Stamps. This record should be carefully kept by
the Secretary, as it will show the monthly growth_ of the society's savings. The
State or local War-Savings Committee shovild be advised monthly of the information
contained on this form.

3. At meetings an effort should be made to secure one or more speakers to talk on
War Savings, and general subjects relating to the objects of the society. This should
include the cun'ent military and naval situation; current information relating to
the countries associated with us in the war; talks regarding the lives of men of national
reputation who have succeeded through the practice of thrift and economy, etc.
Other subjects, such as the -country's resources — industrial, commercial, banking,
and agricultural — as applied to the objects of the society will be of interest to the
membere. Lectures, illustrated by etereoptican elides, will also be interesting.
Speakers may be selected from the membera of the society, or secured from the local
War-Savings Committee. Local bankers, business men, teachers, and ministers will
gladly accept invitations to address societies.

It is also suggested that the meetings be not confined to members alone, but that •
each member be asked to bring with him at least one person. This will help to
increase the memberahip and bring the work of the society to the knowledge of the
com.munity.

Before the meeting adjoiu-ns any suggestions or new business should be presented
and disposed of.

Forming Societies in Schools.

Each school in the United States should organize at least one War-Savings Society.
Upon the size of the school depends the number of societies that may be formed by
the pupils. Some schools will only warrant the forming of one society, and in that
event it should bear the name of the school. In public schools and other educational
institutions in the large towns and cities, War-Savings Societies may be formed by
grades or classes, or by a gi'oup of each. When more than one society is formed in a
school it will be helpful for each society to compare its monthly saving-s, the attendance
at its meetings, and other activities. Meetings may be held either after or during
school hours. While this suggestion may appear to interfere with the regiilar cotu-se
of studies, it is felt that rather than an interference it will be of real value and help
in the school life. In many schools evening meetings may be held, and occasionally
an open meeting might be called, at which time the parents of the members might
be invited to attend.

War-Savings Societies in schools should, when practicable, be officered by the pupils.
In some of the elementary grades it will be necessary for the teacher to be the executive
officer and keep the records and accoimts. Special forms are being prepared by the
educational division for keeping the accounts of school War-Savings Societies.

As the objects of the War-Savings Societies are embodied in tho pledge to be signed
by members, it is suggested that pupils be asked to take the pledge card home to be
read by the parents or guardians, so" that the fundamental principles of War Savings
may be Icnown in the home.

In school societies the principal or teacher may delegate members to prepare essays
on the elementary principles of Government finance, thrift, conservation, or economy,
to be read by the m.embers at the meetings of the society. Pupils should be encour-
aged to discuss their essays or papers with their parents, thus further extending to the
home the benefit of the school campaign.

The suggested program for meetings may be adapted to the use of societies v/hose
membersare pupils, as well as to those with adult membersliip.

Saving by Earning.

Many school cMldren Avho become members of War-Savings Societies can only
save by earning, and what money they earn will have to be made on Saturdays and
out of school hours on school days. There are a variety of ways in which children can

WAR-SAVINGS SOCIETIES. 7

by performin<? odd jobs earn money. Tlieso iiielhods vary witli the homes and sur-
roundings of the cliildren. In towns and cities many ways present themselves, such
as selling newsjiapcrs. publications, etc., helping in the local stores, running errands,
work around tlio homes, and in a multitude of other ways; and in the rural com-
munities, work around the farms. In performing this work the child is carrying out
one of the basic principles of War-Sa\-ings Societies; by doing the work liimself he is
releasing a certain amount of labor that can be used for the purposes of the Govern-
ment, and in addition earning money with which to bu>- War-Savings Stamps, thus
helping the Government to carry on the war.

Cooperation of the Banker.

In some communities a banker or a business man who may be an agent of the
Treasury Department for the sale of stamps, or who has easy access to an agent, could
act as Treasurer of the society. This will facilitate tlu' members sei-uring their
stamps promptly.

Industrial Establishments.

One or more War-Savings Societies may be organized in a bank, store, factory, shop,
mine, or mill. The employees who become members may desire to save automatically
and request their employers to place a certain amount of stamps in their pay envelopes.
This method of automatic saving should not deter employees from joining societies,
for it is not necessary for the secretary of each society to keep an account of each
member's savings, or the purchase of each member's stamps. While the secretary
can be of great service to members in performing this duty, it may not always be
necessary for him to do so, for in many localities agencies for the sale of stamps will be
convenient to members.

RECORD OF WAR-SAVINGS AND THRIFT STAMPS SOLD.

It is suggested that the secretary prepare a blank on a large sheet of paper or card-
board, following this form or some suitable variation of it, as a record of progress:

Members—

Total amoimt

Total amount

Total of both

At end of—

Of Report-
society, ing.

W. S. Stamps
(at $5 each).

of
Thrift Stamps,

kinds of
stamps.

42
54

39
54

$205
385

S36
24

50

S241
409

NATIONAL WAR-SAVINGS COMMITTEE.

Appointed by Hon. William G. McAdoo, Secretary of the Treasury.

FRANK A. VANDERLIP, CJiairman.
FREDERIC A. DELANO.
HENRY FORD.

CHARLES L. BAINE.
EUGENE MEYER, JR.
MRS. GEORGE BASS.

FEDERAL AND STATE DIRECTORS.

Federal Director.

E.C. Bradley.

Arizona

California (North)...

California (South). . .
Hawaii

Idaho

Nevada

Oregon

Utah

Washington

State Director.

Harry R.Tritle...
John S. Drum

G. A. Davidson...

Robert W. Shingle

James H. Hawley.
FredL. White....

C. S. Jackson

George T. Odell...
Daniel Kelleher

City Hall, Phrenix.

Fourth Floor, Bankers Investment
Building, San Francisco.

317 Trusl A; Savings Building, Los
Angeles.

Care of AVaterman Trust Co., Hono-
lulu.

Boise.

Post Office Department, Reno.

Journal Building, Portland.

Commercial Club, Salt Lake City.

Lion Building, Seattle.

WAE-SAVINGS SOCIETIES.

Federal and State directors — Continued.

Federal Diroctor.

State.

State Director.

Address.

Moorehead Wright

John Evans.

Colorado

200 International' Trust Building,

Denver.
Federal Building, Kansas City,

Kans.
717 Locust Street St Louis

Peter W. Goebel

Festus .7. Wade

Missouri

Ward M. Burgess

Hallett Raynclds

George W. Barnes

Omaha National' Bank Building,

Omaha.
First National Bank Building,

East Las Vegas.
Barnes Building, Muskogee.
1101 Main Street Dallas

New Mexico

WilMamC. Irvine

Capitol Building, Cheyenne.

J. F. Harris

Maine

Herbert J. Brown

Robert F. Herrick

Allen HolUs

Dv.ight W. Morrow

Frederic W. Allen

William J. Tully

Theodore F. Green

Fred A. Rowland

Massachusetts

New Hampshire

House, Portland.
84 State Street, Boston.
2.5 Capitol Street, Concord.

New York (Greater)
New York (Upper)..
Rhode Island

51 Chambers Street, New York.
Post Omce Building, Syracuse.
Central Fire Station, Providence.

Avenue, Montpelier.
21 '. . est Tenth Street, Wilmington.

James B. Brown

' Louisville.

502 Citizens Bank Building, Co-
lumbus.
1431 '. ahiut Street, PhUadelphia.
Smithfield Street and Ohver Ave-

Pennsylvarua (East)
Pennsylvania

(V.est).
West Vii-ginia

Robert R. Cassatt

Robert L. Archer

Crawford Jolmson

Daniel J. Callahan

James F. C. Griggs

Hugh r.,ichardson

Paul H. Saunders

nue, Pittsburgh.
P. O. Box 9.57, Huntington.

District of Columbia.
Jlorida

Binningnam.
Room 509 Metropolitan Bank

Building, Washington.
Federal Building, Jai-ksonville

Georgia

66 Forsythe Street, Atlanta.

Mississippi

J T Thomas

Lexington Street, Baltimore.
Grenada

North Carolina

Panama Canal Zone.

South Carolina

Tennessee

Francis H. Fries

C. H. Calhoun

Wa<;hovia Bank & Trust Co., Win-
ston-Saiem.

1709 G Street NW., Washington,
D. C.

Exthange Bank Building, Charles-
ton.

Rooms 301-303 Customhouse, Chat-

R. Goodwin Rhett

Thomas R . Preston

Thomas B. McAdams...

Martin A. Ryerson

Joseph D. Oliver

Virginia

tanooga.

H.B.Riley

Illinois

Conway Building, Chicago.

114 North Main Street, South Bend.

Indipna .

Iowa

Homer A. Miller

Ff.nk W.Hubbard

Arthur R. Rogers

Harry W. Turner

George H. Hollister

Roger L. Dennis

710 Fleming Building, Des Moines.
723-729 Book Building, Detroit.
New York Life Building, Minne-

Michigan

Minnesota

apolis.

North Dakota

South Dakota

Wisconsin

ing, Butte.
19 Birst National Bajik Building,

Fargo.
Room 220, Faulton Block, 304 South

Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls.

Walter Clinton Jackson Library

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

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