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"Give," said the little stream,
"Give, oh give, give, oh give,"
As it hurried down the hill.
"I am small, I know, but wherever I go
The fields grow greener still."
-- FRANCES JANES VAN ALSTYNE CROSBY

Probably nothing better expresses the feeling readers of this magazine should have than Frances Crosby's little verse of a century ago. Whether their contributions to The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis came in the form of tickets to the Celebration of the President's Birthday, Founder's certificates, advertising in THE PRESIDENT'S BIRTHDAY MAGAZINE, buying copies of it, or any other sort of donation, they should feel that their efforts, whether small or large, are creating happiness, making "fields grow greener still," very definitely helping.

In the past four years this nation-wide movement to raise necessary funds for fighting infantile paralysis -- the Celebration of the President's Birthday -- has become a familiar and respected part of the American scene. It is, for that reason, a little difficult to make people realize the change of tactics that took place last tall within the movement. In thinking of the fight against infantile paralysis they automatically associate it with the parties held throughout the country on President Roosevelt's birthday. But splendid as these community celebrations are, they now constitute only a part of the movement as a whole.

When President Roosevelt endorsed the unification of anti-poliomyelitis activities in the new National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, it was for a compelling reason. Though many millions of dollars had been raised by the Celebrations, and distributed on a thirty-seventy per cent basis to the Warm Springs Foundation and hospitals in the localities raising the money, there were still many, many communities without adequate equipment and medical skill to cope with the after-effects of the disease. Even more important, money was woefully scarce to finance needed research. Scientists were picking up the first faint markings of the trail that might lead eventually to complete eradication of poliomyelitis. But their pioneering was hampered by sadly restricted financial support. Rhesus monkeys, as Paul de Kruif points out in his article in this magazine, cost eight dollars apiece and thousands of them are absolutely essential to experiments, since they are the only animals that contract the disease. But until very recently there was no money to supply them in adequate numbers. Other equipment and day-to-day expenses were also lacking.

Moreover, there was the vital problem of epidemics. When infantile paralysis struck some community with unusual force and laid hundreds of victims low, there were no facilities for lending the sort of aid that the Red Cross does in cases of flood or earthquake or other disaster. There was no central fund from which to send immediate help when the need was most dire.

The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis proposes to supply that want, just as it plans to support research in the great scientific institutions spread throughout the land that have been working on the immensely difficult problem of finding out what causes the disease and how it may be prevented. District stations will be created at strategic points so that all American citizens will have ready access to the most modern equipment, the best medical skill, when infantile paralysis strikes. Their resources will be so managed that the "frontline fighters," the practising physicians, together with the most effective mechanical aids, may be concentrated wherever they are needed most sorely.

Some communities, not understanding the comprehensiveness of the Foundation's plans, have feared that turning over all the funds raised at their Birthday Celebrations to the central body might deprive their local institutions of the support they have been receiving during the past two years from the seventy per cent share of the proceeds that was left with the local committees. Such a fear is groundless. In fact, because of the organization of resources on a national scale, communities needing extra help will most likely receive tar more than the money kept by them under the old plan. In ordinary times they will be just as well off, and the additional impetus provided for research will bring more effective remedies and preventives to their aid in shorter time.

When millions of people join in a common cause of this sort, it is neither easy nor wholly fair to single out certain ones for special praise. The scientists, doctors and nurses who are actually on the firing line, of course, deserve all the honor -- and more -- that is given them. President Roosevelt receives a very just and widespread accolade for his leadership of the whole movement. And it would not be amiss to remember the thirty-tour Trustees he has recently invited to serve the Foundation -- busy men with innumerable interests and obligations, who nevertheless are willing to give time and thought and energy to further the cause. But it is the millions of everyday citizens who really make the movement possible, by their kindliness and generosity. When credit is offered they must not be forgotten.