100 YEARS AGO IN THE SARATOGIAN

Friday, June 28, 1918. Today is the deadline for fundraising in the nation’s War Savings Stamp campaign, but in light of poor results so far Saratoga County and other parts of New York are getting a one-week extension.

The Spa City has been assigned a $240,000 goal in the campaign, but has raised less than half that amount, $116,161, by the end of today’s canvassing.

State campaign director W. J. Tully extends the deadline after appeals from eight counties. “My judgment based on reports so far received is that in the majority of counties work cannot be completed short of a week more. Pledges so far are averaging less than $50. They are too small.

Two factors are slowing the flow of money. Organizers overestimated the ability of door-to-door canvassers to reach everyone within the original time period. Perhaps more importantly, the stamp campaign was designed so that communities would not be able to depend on the richest donors. A maximum purchase of $1,000 worth of stamps was set in order to encourage thrift among lower-income Americans.

Those who spend the $1,000 maximum are inducted into the “Limit Club.” Today’s Saratogian lists eighteen individual and corporate club members, including Mayor Harry E. Pettee, former state senator Edgar T. Brackett and celebrity singer Chauncey Olcott. An additional 26 donors have spent more than $500.