| Show 7 il e a 4 8 e eThis This is an anniversary year of which thrift is the birthday cake and security its candles Its celebrants celebrants celebrants cele cele- brants are millions of Americans in every conceivable occupation in every economic and social level They are the investors in series E and H Savings Bonds Fifteen years ago in 1941 the United States Treasury Depart Depart- Department Department ment meat tentatively began a program to raise money for national defense defense defense de de- de- de and as a brake against inflation inflation tion by borrowing from as many persons as possible This was the birth of the series E bonds It was the birth also of what was to become become become be be- come the largest thrift program of all time Treasury officials are human rumor to the contrary notwithstanding notwithstanding notwithstanding standing and none among them could have foreseen or even dreamed om orn 15 years ago the Incredible incredible incredible in In- credible growth f the Savings Bonds idea until today it has become become become be be- come an integral part of the AmerIcan American American Amer Amer- ican way of life Ufa According to Treasury Secretary Secretary Secretary Secre Secre- tary George M. M Humphrey more than 40 million Americans today own more than 40 billion in serLes series series ser ser- ies Les E and H Bonds the latter being added to the thrift program in 1952 And of these bond owners more than 8 million are saving more than million a month through the payroll savings plan by means of the patriotic cooperation of or the huge or the small businesses businesses businesses busi busi- nesses where they work and of organized organized organized or or- labor as a friendly and persuasive associate It was to be expected in the fervor fervor fer fer- fer- fer vor of the World War II years that thata a a great many Americans would buy Savings Sayings Bonds and a great many did But when the war was over and the fervor gone they kept on buying them them that that is th Uw the astonishing thing and that is the astonishing commonplace these millions of Americans are celebrating celebrating ting this year |
