100 Years Ago: Company Contributions to Patriotic Fund, Plans for Belleville Patriotic Fund Campaign, John Kennedy Wounded

The Intelligencer January 30, 1917 (page 1)

“How a Company Can Give $1,000 to The Patriotic Fund at a Cost of $750. It may not be known generally that contributions to the Canadian Patriotic Fund and the Red Cross can be treated as expenses in any business subject to the federal tax on profits. This implies, of course, that the profits on which the tax is based are lessened by the amount of the contributions.

Take a sample case. A business makes a profit of $10,000 in excess of seven per cent. The tax on this of 25 per cent, $2,500. But if the business has contributed $1,000 to the Patriotic Fund its profits will be estimated at $9,000, and its taxation will be reduced from $2,500 to $2,250, a saving of $250. This means, therefore, that a thousand dollar contribution costs the giver but $750.”

The Intelligencer January 30, 1917 (page 1)

“At a meeting of the Campaign Committee held in the Public Library last evening, the campaign for the Belleville Patriotic Fund was started rolling. The Committee was very enthusiastic, and the spirit shown augurs well for the success of the campaign; but it will be necessary for each and every citizen to do his part to assist the various committees to do their work.

It was decided to hold the campaign on February 21st, 22nd and 23rd, and they set as their objective $75,000, which is about the proportion Belleville should stand of the six million to be collected in the Province of Ontario.

The various committees necessary for the carrying on of the campaign have been selected and active work will be started at once. They hope to secure a portion of the show-rooms of Mr. Simmons, corner of Bridge and Front streets, as campaign headquarters.

Put your shoulder to the wheel and do all you can to roll up the amount they have set as their objective.”

The Intelligencer January 30, 1917 (page 3)

“Private John Kennedy, whose name appeared in the casualty list yesterday as wounded, is well known in this city, his home being on Benjamin street. The nature of his wounds are not known. Private Kennedy was for some time a member of the Belleville Police Force, and latterly worked on the Grand Trunk Railway. He enlisted with the 59th Battalion at Brockville, and went overseas with that battalion. He is a married man and has two children. His many friends in the city will hope that his injuries are not of a serious nature.”