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Their efforts are expected to add over one million dollars to the. war-chest against infantile paralysis. This is the fourth year that the birthday ball has been held. Those charged with the responsibility of organization, had profited by their experience in other years. It was natural to suppose that with the work which had been previously accomplished, a better informed public mind and better times coming back to our country. that the response would be even more generous than it had been in the past. But it was overwhelmingly quicker and more profound. Its startling spontaneity meant only one thing to the national committee: that the people of the United States were inspired to carry on the fight against infantile paralysis until an ultimate victory was achieved, that the work of furnishing sinews of war would go on until the nation was made secure.

I am safe in saying that those who had the privilege of working in this cause have not in the course of their lives witnessed a more inspiring spectacle than the rallying of every force and activity of the life of the whole people to this battle against a menace which never ceases to threaten the very beginning of the strength of the nation -- that is to say its children and young people.

As chairman of the national committee it is my duty and privilege to thank the people of the United States.