The Second Stage of Our "Campaign Comforts" Fund—con.
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which we fear we must reconcile ourselves to look forward—may be measured from the feet that we have already received assurances of support which aggregate an amount in excess of £300 monthly. We have yet to find the balance, but we have not any hesitation in stating that it will be generously provided. It will also he most carefully spent.
Our Modest Suggestions.
The standard maximum donation to the first stage of this Fund was fixed by us at £50. We now see how modest we were in adopting such a low amount, but we did not, at the end of 1914, when the Fund had got fairly under way, foresee to the hill extent how rapidly the strength of the A.S.C., M.T., was to grow. Our new maximum, for the second stage of the Fund, has been fixed by us at .R10 monthly from any member of the industry, or a maximum sum of £120 for the 12 months, beginning the 1st prox. This is a little more than double the 19141915 maximum, but we must point out that the ratio of the strengths for whom we have to provide comforts is likely to be more like 6 to 1 than 2 to 1. We again, therefore, are even more modest.
We Make the Money Go Further.
The arguments in favour of the according of support to this central fund have undoubtedly grown in number and force since it was inaugurated. We have, for example, proved our ability to do the job. We have raised the .5000 which we set out to raise, we have perfected our system of despatch to the Columns and detached units, now in excess of 300 in number, in France, Flanders, Gallipoli and elsewhere, and we enjoy the advantage, not only of official co-operation at home, but of the closest possible touch, by the most friendly correspondence, with the officers in command of those Columns and detached units. We know exactly what they want, and there is no waste. All purchases are made at wholesale and competitive terms. We are subjected' to no heavy charges for office and storage accommodation, the whole of these being very generously borne by the proprietors of THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR —Temple Press Ltd. They are, as may be imagined, considerable. Our packing and storage operations, to say nothing of the time of the members of the staff, actually represent a handsome donation in cash every day. individual purchases, over the counter at retail prices, are most wasteful, and for that reason we feel sure that nobody can spend money so effectively as through us. That is a factor of great attractiveness, we feel sure, to all parties who may be considering. what they will do for us during the months which lie ahead. Finally, there is no favouritism. We go systematically through the same routine procedure, Column by Column, subject only to the revision of the despatch instructions according to the specific deletions for which the officer in command is responsible. This method of packing, the evolution of the past 10 months, 'undoubtedly involves us in a. great deal more labour, but we accept the extra duty with pleasure, in the knowledge that everybody thereby gets exactly ,.what is wanted—so far, of course, as their demands fall within the scope of our Fund.
Who It Is the Fund Takes Care Of.
One point remains. More than 80 per cent. of the A.S.C., M.T., personnel were civilians but a few months ago. These officers and men, to that extent, constitute the future active workers in the cause of commercial motoring throughout the Empire. Let us not forget them, no matter how long the war continues, throughout its whole term. It is easy to make excuses that other claims are more pressing, but we do not concede that any claim upon the motor industry can be nearer or more insistent than the call to look after their own. The industry and users, acting in common through us, have so far done splendidly, over and above their important local and personal efforts, in sharing with the A.S.C., M.T., and with this journal the pleasant duties with which our Fund is charged.