Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-09-06
THE WAR CHEST PLAN

The war chest plan, in which. instead Of SEPARATE
Campaigns for funds by each OF I number Of socie,,es
doing patriotic work, one campaign IL made for them
jointly, and tho proceeds are divided on 4 pre-arranged
basis. has been tried in a number Of cities. In the main
we believe. has given quite general satisfaction. It
has also been the subject OF unfavorable comment p.
cause the division Of his funds WAS taken out Of the
hands of the individual, and some part Of his ,contripu-
ton was devoted to a cause to- which he might not have
contributed had he been given the liberty Of choice.
After some experience-and some months Of observa-
ton. those In charge Of the work of the seven great or
CARNATIONS whose work is specially recognized by our
government. and whose activities are directed toward
what may be termed social service among the soldiers
have decided on the adoption of what is substant;alty
the war chest plan. These organiza lions are the Y. M. C.
A.. the Y. ". c. A, the K. c., the Jewish welfare Board
the American Library Board, the War Camp communits
Service. and the Salvation Army.
The situation has been carefully canvassed, ana the
proportion in which each. Of these organisations will par
ticipate in the distribution Of the funds received has
been agreed on. In November a campaign will be con-
Quoted for funds to be SO distributed. and this campaign
will take the place of the seven separate ,campalsns
which would otherwise be necessary. a..
The. plan has evidently the approval of the heads
OF these various organizations. and it has been formally
endorsed by the president. 1t has much to commend 1T
1t will relieve solicitors of a great deal of work. 1t will
relieve contributors of the unnecessary REPETITION of de-
mands for funds. Its use impliessa systematic arrange
ment of the work to be performed. so that duplication
and therefore waste, will be avoided. And it will enable
the contributor to make his subscription inteligently
knowing that whatever he gives within the time fixed
his money will be so distributed among several organ
izations, each doing a worthy work In it's own field, and
that the distribution will be in accordance with the need
as ascertained by those who are in immediate charge Of
the work.
In the arrangements steps have been taken to re-
move the objection which has been urged against this plan
as applied in certain localities that the distribution of the
money is taken, out of the hands Of the contributor. II
the individual so desires, he can make his contribution
to any one or more Of these organizations, and that con.
tribution will go to make up the total needed by that
particular society.
cases, and that nearly everyone will make his subscripv
ton in a lump, to be divided on the basis which has been
arranged. This is surely the wise plan. These societies
are all doing excellent work, and the work Of them is
urgently needed. Their managers have agreed with each
other on the manner in which, the contributions of the
public can most usefully be divided. and those authorities
are in much better position to judge of the need than
the private individual can possibly be.