The government wishes a certain amount of money. It therefore appeals to local pride; it sets a "quota," which has been apportioned to each locality, and promises of a fine "over-the-top" flag to be hoisted over the courthouse. All well and good; local pride is a very fine thing, competition is wholesome. But the struggle that ensues is not so much local pride as it looks to be. Milwaukee, for instance, a big manufacturing center, is noted for its German population. This, the local proprietors fear, may affect its trade. It may be boycotted to some extent. A traveling man comes back and says that a certain dealer in stoves refuses to buy stoves made in Milwaukee! Ha!--Milwaukee must redeem its reputation; it must always go over the top: it must be able to affix this stamp to all its letters. Now, as the state has a quota, and the county and city has each its quota, so each individual must have his quota. Each individual must be "assessed" to buy a certain quota [government war loan] of bonds. Success must be made sure: the manufacturers must see the honor of Milwaukee, and Wisconsin, maintained. It is not compulsory to give a certain "assessed" amount to the Y. M. C. A.; and the government does not make a certain quota of bonds compulsory on citizens--oh, no! it is not compulsory, only you must abide by your assessment. And we will see that you do. No excuse accepted.... Picture to yourself the following "collection committee" traveling out of the highly civilized, "kultured" city of Milwaukee. Twenty-five automobiles containing sixty to seventy respectable citizens of Milwaukee. One color guard (a flag at the head) with two home guardsmen in citizens' clothes. Two deputy sheriffs. One "official" photographer. One "official" stenographer. One banker (this personage to make arrangements to lend a farmer the money in case he protests that he has subscribed too much already). This phalanx, entirely lawless, moves down upon a farmer who is urging two horses along a cloddy furrow, doing his fall plowing. They form a semicircle about him; the speechmaker says, "Let us salute the flag" (watching him to see that he does it promptly); and while his horses stand there the speechmaker delivers a speech. He must subscribe his "assessed" amount--no excuses accepted. If he owes for the farm, and has just paid his interest, and has only fifteen dollars to go on with, it makes no difference. He must subscribe the amount of his "assessment," and "sign here."