Liberty, Victory … Whatever

The leadership structure for the fifth Liberty Loan drive had been announced in March. In mid-April came the announcement of quotas for northwest Indiana's major towns, including Gary, East Chicago, Crown Point, and, of course, Hobart, with a quota of $109,800 in bonds. (Nobody bothered setting quotas for one-horse burgs like Ainsworth.)

The official opening of the drive itself — now called the "Victory Loan Drive" — would begin on Monday, April 21, 1919. Leading up to it would be a series of four-minute speeches at the Gem Theater, two given by those experienced speakers, the Rev. A.H. Lawrence and John Killigrew, and one by "some foreign speaker."

John Cavender, in charge of the Hobart part of the drive, expected a "war exhibit car" to pass through Hobart the Sunday before the drive — at least, he had "heard nothing so far to the contrary." And then on Monday, canvassers would go forth to ask for money.


From the Hobart News of April 24, 1919.

The Victory Loan Drive seems to have gone off like a damp firecracker. As May opened, the News complained that the drive was "lagging sadly to the rear in Hobart." Volunteer canvassers were in short supply, and so were volunteer subscribers. The Gazette chided those who sat back and waited to be solicited. "The resources of the three banks in Hobart for the first three months of this year increased over $100,000. This shows that there is money in this community, and plenty of it." Both papers conceded that the interest rates weren't as appealing as some stocks and bonds offered lately, but the Victory Bonds were a surer investment. And, of course, there was the appeal to patriotism: "Don't let the boys returning from France, where they fought your battles, learn that you have not subscribed for a bond," the Gazette warned. "The boys have shed their blood — let us all pay the cost."


From the Hobart Gazette of May 8, 1919.

There was no parade this time, and if the "war exhibit car" came through Hobart, its appearance was not reported on. Although volunteers were still in short supply, several unnamed local women worked steadfastly as canvassers. As the drive ended, Hobart limped "over the top." Subscriptions in the town itself fell just short of $72,000, but many Hobart residents worked in Gary and had subscribed for bonds at their places of employment; those amounts, added to the total, brought Hobart over its quota.


Sources:
♦ Advertisement. Hobart Gazette 8 May 1919.
♦ Advertisement. Hobart News 24 Apr. 1919.
♦ "Have You Taken a Bond?" Hobart Gazette 2 May 1919.
♦ "Hobart Goes 'Over the Top' in the Victory Loan Campaign." Hobart News 15 May 1919.
♦ "Loan Drive Starts Monday." Hobart Gazette 18 Apr. 1919.
♦ "Victory Loan Drive Will Start Next Monday." Hobart News 17 Apr. 1918.
♦ "Victory Loan Is Not Progressing as Rapidly as Previous Loans." Hobart News 1 May 1919.