CROWDS THRILL AT STIRRING WORDS OF HERBERT HOOVER

"I would rather have the American flag implanted in the hearts of these starving children than flying over the citadels of Europe, said Mr. Herbert Hoover before over a thousand people who had paid $100 a plate for a simple meal of stew, bread and cocoa,--the same meal which is being served to the children of Eastern and Central Europe. In addition to those downstairs, the balcony of Symphony Hall was crowded with men and women who thronged to hear Mr. Hoover's appeal to America to support an "invisible guest."

"Is ten dollars too much for the price of a child?" he said. "But issues beyond the question of the immediate saving of life must influence us. Without our help, the pitiful remnant who do survive would end up in the jails of America and Europe. Peace is not the product of documents, but the product of good will among men. The American flag implanted in the hearts of these children will be more effective for the preservation of our peace than any battleship--and all we ask for is the price of one battleship. The people of America surely have a greater sense of duty than to spend money on battleships while children are dying. It is the realization of this spirit of fellowship of man through the saving of these children which will prevent the collapse of civilization. We can eliminate the background of horror which the war has given us by the laughter of these children.

Future of Europe Depends on Us

"Upon the well being of these helpless mites depends the future of Europe. They are the basis of civilization. We must save them if we are to keep alive the love of humanity in the west; for we could never recover our self-respect if we should turn these children into the streets.

"In the seventeen thousand dining rooms which the American nation is called upon to support the American flag flies before these starving children who are forced to seek food from the hands of a foreign enemy. Every day these children repeat the Lord's prayer, 'give us this day our daily bread.' Is this not a challenge to the nation of America? Can we allow that challenge to be offered to the American flag and not satisfy it?"

Mr. Hoover also reported that over $600,000 had already been raised by the Massachusetts State Committee toward their goal of one million dollars. The National Council has passed well beyond the fifteen million dollar mark on its way to the sum of thirty-five million dollars, which is enough to sustain the three and a half million starving children till the next harvest.

Teach Self-Help in Europe

"The first responsibility lies in the local communities of Europe," Mr. Hoover said, "and the towns of Europe have provided every service in their power, but they are exhausted. America has sided in supplying their deficiencies by organization and commodities. We have aimed to teach self-help in Eastern Europe, and in many cases we have been able to withdraw when the community has once been set on its feet.

"It is a period of doubt, anxiety and unrest here, but of great prosperity when compared with Europe. We have abundant resources of clothing and shelter. Hunger and cold can only be the result of the foolish functioning of our own economic and political system. If four fifths of our children were starving, if our industrial reorganization were broken down, then we could complain. As it is, we only have grounds for despondency if we have not the impulse of charity to respond to this plea. But I know it is sufficient for Americans only to know of the existence of these children for them to act generously."

At the close of the address by Mr. Hoover, the University Glee Club sang a few songs and ended by lowening the American flag and singing "The Star Spangled Banner.