Mr, Chairman; -
I have a resolution I want to submit for consideration which will no doubt appear to many as a strong arm method to sell bonds.
At this particular time in the history of our country, there are many things being done which would appear to be by the strong arm method.
When you go into the homes and take by force the flower of our young manhood and send them to the battlefields of France, thousands of young men have been taken from the dear mother, her only son and in many instances several of her sons. Don't you suppose that at times, to say the least of it, they feel that the strong arm methods are being applied? They don't murmur, they stand right up to it and take it as is befitting to the national blood.
Many prosperou business men, young men, are taken from their wives and babies. Their places of business are closed, resulting in loss of many thousands of dollars, leaving a comfortable home and a happy family to go and fight our battles. Don't you suppose that they, at least a few of them, feel and think the strong arm methods are being applied.
Many men, some of them our neighbors and friends who have been enjoying a princely salary, and the comforts of life and the companionship of lifelong friends, are taken from their work and placed in the front line trenches at thirty dollars per month. Don't you suppose many of them feel at times that the strong arm method is being applied?
Be it remembered that the noble sons of the best and bravest blood the world has ever known are today, many of them, lying dead on the battlefields of France, many mortally wounded and others sick and dying in the hospitals thousands of miles from home. These young brave men are crying to us for help.
Under these conditions can any method be too strong to make the slacker furnish his part of the needed supplies?
My sympathies are not with the men at home enjoying the comforts of life, and three square meals a day. No, sir, not at all. But for the brave boys some where in France and those leaving us every day.
So be it resolved, sir, that it is the sense of this meeting that the equalization committee furnish the Chattanooga papers the names, business addresses and home addresses of all whom they find, after careful examination and consideration, to be slackers and that the same be published.
To my mind a genuine slacker and deserter are one and the same. Since there is no law to have the slacker courtmartialed and shot, they should be published and known and despised by all patriotic American citizens.
You will find many in the drive, which we today undertake, who feel like they can get by without buying bonds. Many feel like the war is practically over, or soon will be, but be it remembered we are fighting the most ferocious beast the world has ever known. Be it further remembered we are not yet, to any extent, within his domain. Be it further remembered that the skin over his heart has only been scratched by the American sword. That it is pointing to his heart. That our boys, your boys, the boys of Tennesee are back of the sword and are calling to us for pressure. So let us stand back of them and drive it clear to the hilt.
Delivered in the ball room of the Hotel Patten October 8th, 1918 on the launching of the Fourth Liberty Loan drive for Chattanooga and Hamilton county of six and a half million dollars, before approximately two hundred and fifty of the leading business men of Chattanooga by
H.P.C.