Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 306, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 January 1918 — The Bill Poster Board. [ARTICLE]

The Bill Poster Board.

In all fairness to James Ellis who lad the bill poster board erected in the court house yard it should be stated that all material and expense of placing this board was borne by the Eljis Poster Advertising Com>any, the owners of which are J. -H. il. Ellis, jr., and his brother, Dr. .ohn Ellis.

The motive was undoubtedly a patriotic one. The government, we understand furnishes the paper. This seems very strange to us when the government has refused to contribute a single cent to repay the miltons of dollars that have been expended by the newspapers of the country. We still hold to the position that the Ellis Poster Advertising Co., have made a poor investment in ..patriotism and that the board should be removed from the court house yard. We herewith publish a letter from Mr. Ellis. Rensselaer, Ind., Dec. 29, 1917. Editor, The Rensselaer Rensselaer, Indiana. Dear Sir: --

Such an article, as that which recently appeared in the Democratic paper, against the poster board in the court house yard for government advertising, cpuld result only from incomplete knowledge of conditions. Our government has issued over 21,000 large sized posters and innumerable small ones to advertise the first and, second Liberty Loan and Food Conservation. More will be issued in February for the third Loan. In Chicago the Federal Building,. First National Bank Building, buildings on every street in the loop, are spread with posters and banners urging food conservation —cities of all sizes throughout the United States have authorized the construction of exactly such boarus as that in Rensselaer in front of their public buildings.' The purpose of these boards is to attract the utmost attention to the government’s message—the emergency which confronts our government makes it necessary that more'than ordinary ad-

vertising efforts be made. This board is erected solely for the use of the government The construction was paid for out of our own pocket—poster advertising space, like that in newspapers and magazines is donated—absolutely without pay of any kind. The board is made this size because the government’s 21,000 posters are for boards of * these dimensions. The shape was chosen to eliminate any unsightly back side. It is solid because this makes it more impressive—of durable construction because from present indications the government will be engaged in the prosecution of the war for a number of years. Whenever its Usefulness to the government ceases, it will be removed more than glaMly. During the war it will be dedicated to the publicity of Liberty Logans, Food Conserva'tion, Red Cross and Y. M. C. A. cam-' paigns, or any other allied war activity. Posting and space are free. Instead of regarding this struc-

ture as a subject for attack, We as a community should regard it with pride, as the symbol that we have placed patriotism above mere civic pride—that we are awake to the unusual conditions of the present time —and as a challenge to all who see to join us in sacrificing personal considerations to the furtherance of -Our country’s interests. x . I Sl “Tl£ HElls, Jr.