From the Richmond Times Dispatch, October 3, 1915.

Five hundred million dollars—
    It seems an awful lot
That old man Mars now collars
    To spend on shell and shot.
And yet ’tis forked up gladly
    And not a soul repents,
While poor folks struggle madly
    To raise five hundred cents.
It certainly seems funny,
    Although well understood,
That there is always money
    For things that do no good.