1942: The $9 billion victory loan drive approaches the finish line
Lead Summary
By
Steve Roush-
Ladies and gentlemen, there is about a week to go in the 1942 $9 billion victory loan drive, and Highland County has ponied up more than $600,000 of its $882,000 quota, leaving roughly $250,000 to raise to meet its goal.
A meeting of the county victory loan drive committee was held at the Masonic Temple in uptown Hillsboro, and all workers were urged to redouble their efforts to reach the quota. It was pointed out that there was no reason why the quota should not be reached except that the people are not willing to support the war effort as there is plenty of money in the county. It was reported that deposits in the banks in the county amount to nearly $6.3 million, and in savings accounts there is deposited more than $1.5 million.
It was also mentioned that the drive had been hampered by bad weather, and that there was no reason why anyone should wait for a solicitor to knock on the door, that folks should head on over to the banks and savings and loans to buy up bonds and that “there should be no slackers.”
Another editorial appeared in the newspaper – on the front page this time – with the headline “It must be raised.” It said that “Highland County has never yet failed to deliver when asked for patriotic help. It must not this time. To date, $617,750 has been subscribed – a fine record indeed, but it must be remembered that in these subscriptions are several very large ones, that will not be repeated, at least this month.”
The editorial stressed that the solicitors that were canvassing the county “are not just more salesmen taking up your time trying to sell you something, they are Uncle Sam’s duly appointed representatives doing you a service and their county a good patriotic turn.”
It was noted that buying bonds isn’t a sacrifice, that it’s a good investment, a safe, patriotic investment. “We hope that Highland County will go over the top and purchase the huge amount of bonds that has been set aside for the county,” the editorial said. “We believe that every patriotic resident of the county, and we hope that includes everyone, would feel it deeply if Highland County did not come through as it always has in the past. There can’t be many shirkers, many who pass the opportunity by, if the large sum is to be raised.
“Thank God you aren’t in a country where the men with bayonets come in and take what you have without asking permission! Keep it the kind of country where living is safe, by buying Victory Bonds. Do your part and don’t worry about what your neighbor is doing. He may be doing the same as you.”
Before we march on with the victory loan drive, let’s pause for now, and we’ll continue next time.
Steve Roush is vice chairman of the Highland County Historical Society Board of Trustees, a vice president of an international media company and a columnist and contributing writer for The Highland County Press. He can be reached by email at roush_steve@msn.com.
A meeting of the county victory loan drive committee was held at the Masonic Temple in uptown Hillsboro, and all workers were urged to redouble their efforts to reach the quota. It was pointed out that there was no reason why the quota should not be reached except that the people are not willing to support the war effort as there is plenty of money in the county. It was reported that deposits in the banks in the county amount to nearly $6.3 million, and in savings accounts there is deposited more than $1.5 million.
It was also mentioned that the drive had been hampered by bad weather, and that there was no reason why anyone should wait for a solicitor to knock on the door, that folks should head on over to the banks and savings and loans to buy up bonds and that “there should be no slackers.”
Another editorial appeared in the newspaper – on the front page this time – with the headline “It must be raised.” It said that “Highland County has never yet failed to deliver when asked for patriotic help. It must not this time. To date, $617,750 has been subscribed – a fine record indeed, but it must be remembered that in these subscriptions are several very large ones, that will not be repeated, at least this month.”
The editorial stressed that the solicitors that were canvassing the county “are not just more salesmen taking up your time trying to sell you something, they are Uncle Sam’s duly appointed representatives doing you a service and their county a good patriotic turn.”
It was noted that buying bonds isn’t a sacrifice, that it’s a good investment, a safe, patriotic investment. “We hope that Highland County will go over the top and purchase the huge amount of bonds that has been set aside for the county,” the editorial said. “We believe that every patriotic resident of the county, and we hope that includes everyone, would feel it deeply if Highland County did not come through as it always has in the past. There can’t be many shirkers, many who pass the opportunity by, if the large sum is to be raised.
“Thank God you aren’t in a country where the men with bayonets come in and take what you have without asking permission! Keep it the kind of country where living is safe, by buying Victory Bonds. Do your part and don’t worry about what your neighbor is doing. He may be doing the same as you.”
Before we march on with the victory loan drive, let’s pause for now, and we’ll continue next time.
Steve Roush is vice chairman of the Highland County Historical Society Board of Trustees, a vice president of an international media company and a columnist and contributing writer for The Highland County Press. He can be reached by email at roush_steve@msn.com.