The Chicago Star

To all of us, the Progressive Party convention has signalled the opening of a new era in the political struggles of the American people.

"We are on the march!" in the ringing words of the historic Philadelphia keynote.

But that convention asked a question of us. Are we ready to move ahead unfettered toward a people's victory? Have we stripped away all of the cluttering obstacles? Have we rid ourselves of the snags and hitches that will hamper the fight?

The Chicago Star had hoped to continue to be the strong right arm of the people's movement in this state. But at this critical moment in the campaign, the Star finds itself faced with the knottiest problem in its two years of publication.

We do not have the funds to get us through for the remainder of this year.

The reasons for this state of affairs are many, but the principle ones are these:

1. The cost of printing has shot up rapidly, far outstripping the allowances we had made in the budget at the beginning of the year.

2. The Star's financial drive of last Spring fell short of its goal by $14,000.

This crisis compels us to take unusual and extraordinary measures to raise money immediately.

In such a situation, the Star, of course, has no place to turn for help except to its readers.

We feel that you will understand why the Star must not be allowed to falter at this time.

The needs of this moment are for a more vigorous and more effective Chicago Star. We think that you will agree we cannot settle for less.

Nor do we think that you will want to even face the prospect of leaving the progressive movement of

Chicago and Illinois without a paper of its own, without an organ through which to express its views and mobilize its forces.

And yet, we are confronted with the stubborn facts in the ledger books.

We are paring expenses wherever humanly possible.

We are also planning other money-raising projects between now and the end of the year.

But that still leaves us with the task of raising a minimum of $7,500 immediately--before Labor Day.

We are asking you to help with that problem.

We ask you to give more than you usually would-- because we can not fall short in this drive, and it will take many $25 and $50 contributions, as well as $5 and $10, to make up the shortage.

We ask you to give not "what you can" but a good deal more, knowing that it means a sacrifice even of some things that you consider essential.

We are sure you are also contributing elsewhere.

We are sure you are giving a good deal of your time and effort in the people's fight in this, crucial election year.

But the Star is your responsibility-no one else's.

You--and no one else will determine what kind of a paper we will have, or whether we have one at all.

We can all go into these climactic final months of the 1948 election campaign confident that we are prepared to do the fullest job of bringing the issues to the people but first the Star must be freed from this pressing financial crisis.

Keep fighting for progress. And keep the Star fighting alongside of you.

We need the biggest contribution you can give. And we need it now. $7,500 is required by Labor Day. But $1,800 of it is needed by next week. Please act quickly!