Collection: Documents - Full Text

Preliminary organization of The National Patients’ Committee was reported by Fred Botts in the July issue of the Polio Chronicle. Final organization was completed July 17th in a meeting at the Playhouse, Warm Springs. This meeting came immediately after Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt called for enlistments in a Polio Crusade and enthusiasm ran high.

Nearly one hundred patients and an equal number of friends and relatives were in attendance, representing practically every state in the Union. Mr. Arthur Carpenter, acting as temporary chairman, made an inspirational talk on what might be accomplished in the Polio Crusade by such a committee.

The meeting proceeded to the adoption of a statement of Purpose, Program, and Operation, and established necessary by-laws. An election of executive officers was then held, with the following results:

President - Dr. John Ruhrah, Baltimore, Md.

Vice President - William Schneider, Kansas City, Mo.

Treasurer - Earnest J. Paulson, East Orange, N.J.

Secretary - Lillian K. Donovan, Harvard, Ill.

Under the leadership of Dr. Ruhrah, an eminent and nationally recognized specialist in pediatrics, a comprehensive plan of work was undertaken at once. An efficient chairman was appointed to lead each of the various groups, namely:

FINANCE --
Subgroup -- "Friends of Warm Springs."

PUBLICITY--
Subgroup -- Newspapers, Magazines, Clubs, Health Departments, Education of the Public on Poliomyelitis, Essays and Suggestions.

INSURANCE FOR POLIOS.

ENTERTAINMENT.

MOTOR LICENSES FOR HANDICAPPED PEOPLE.

ARCHITECTURAL SUGGESTIONS AND MECHANICAL HINTS.

ADVISORY GROUP.

These active groups will give direction and leadership to the work, but it is understood, of course, that The National Patients' Committee is made up of all patients and their friends and relatives, whether now at Warm Springs or not.

One sees high in his tower the truly great Crusader, or inspiration, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Looking into the distance, he has laid the cornerstone of a great movement, cemented in COURAGE, ENDEAVOR, PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE. Fired with enthusiasm, groups and members have already taken up the work and are gallantly carrying on this great crusade and going forward toward the goal where one reads the inscription, "Life and Living Simplified for the Polio." Truly a great accomplishment! Is it not? YOU, READER, CAN HELP, TOO, ALONG THIS TRAIL.

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