Evening star., 1920-03-27

'he Dement'S to be derived by the pup
lie from its outlined purposes. the
| report of the joint committee Of the
Board of Trade and Chamber of Com
merce. which investigated its activi-
ties. fatty declined to recommend
that members of the two trade bodies
give it their financial support to meet
the proposed expenditures OF SS3,oVo
for this year
On the other hand the report of the
JOINT committee praised highly the
work of the community center de-
partment of the public schools and
recommended that the two trade bod
les urge Congress to increase the an
nual appropriation for the use OF TINS
splendid" community organization
The report further recommended tne
appointment of a joint committee OF
the Board of Trade and Chamber or
Commerce to help promote the COM
munity spirit through the community
centers.
Advocated Clearing House
AS climax to the 4.000-word re-
port. which was made after six weeks
OF investigation, the joint committee
advocated the establishment of a
clearing house of civic and benevolent
enterprises in the District. To this
end the report urges that the two
trade bodies take the proper steps
by the appointment of a committee
TO correiate the various civic and
benevolent activities in Washington
and to give Endorsement to such or
ganiZationS as are worthy of their
support.
The report of the investigating COM
mittee was read by James T. Lloyd,
chairman of the joint committee. last
eight at meeting of the Board of
Trade and adopted unanimously. The
vote was taken without any discussion,
and its unanimous approval was follow
ed by applause.
In its report the committee took
issue with the Community Service.
Inc. on the beneficent results of its
various activities. pointing out that
some of it's work is overlapping and
interfering with the work Of the COM
munity center department of the pub
lie schools. 1t was also cited that
this organization has placed itself in
antaEonism to the Recreation
that character. ''and unless they CO.
operate with those engaged in SINH
lar service it is doubtful whether
their endeavors will result in spe-
cial benefit
The committee report also made
clear that there is confusion caused
by the assumption of the name Com
munity Service" as the school organi-
zation intended for educational and
social development is known as Com
munity Center"
The Community Service. Inc" the
report said, "is to be maintained by
private enterprise and the Community
Center is part of the school system.
1t would be better if the names were
not so nearly alike. These names
should not conflict with each other.
Similarity Of Names.
The Community Center has been es-
tablished for several years, while the
Community Service. Inc, is Just be-
ginning Its operations. 1t is true.
however. that the Community Serv-
ice. lnc-' Is part of a national asso-
clation, with headquarters in New
York. and 1t might be embarrassing
to 1t to be required to change its
name, put the similarity of names
should be overcome in some way and
the older organization. Community
: Ienter. should be permitted to retain
the name by which 1t is known"
After giving brief outline of the
history of the Community Service, Inc,
tne committee report separated vari-
Gus items OF expenditures compiled by
the organization, which included in
ITS IT. re- request for $s3.5oo. sum of
$55.4s6.S4 for salaries of employees.
More stress was placed on the i'm
mediate benefit derived from the trav-
elers aid Information bureau and
homes registration service at the
Union station than any other ac-
claimed that this service was now
rendered by the Community Service
and could not be satisfactorily carried
on by any other organization. Your
committee finds. however, on inquiry,
that the, service at the Union station
by other agencies. This work prior
to that time was performed by rep
of the Y. w. c. A., and
deaconesses of some of the churches.
Inquiry develops. what seems to be
the fact, that the service rendered by
sumption of that work by the War
Camp Community Service was equal
ly satisfactory to the travelling public
and to the railroad officials in charge
at the Union station as that now
rendered. and that a return to the
10 former service would be preferred
by many. The service originally was
not expensive and was conducted for
nominal sum compared to that
which Is now proposed to be expended
by the Community Service. Inc.
Service to Travellers.
Your committee Is further Informed
that the Travellers Aid Society actu-
ally does the work at the Union sta
ton and is responsible for that ac-
to conduct the service without the
aid of the Community Service. Inc"
In going into other activities of the
organization the report stated that
"the Community Service. Inc. is as
sisting in the employment bureau. on
Pennsylvania avenue, which Is par
ticipated In by a number of other
agencies. and probably could be con-
Quoted by them without the assist
ance Of the Community Service, Inc"
Five thousand dollars" the report
"is to be expended for a
service department for hospitals. chill
dren's homes. old peoples homes. etc.
The several hospital and charitable
are well maintained now
and controlled by competent officials.
1t may be true that the Community
Service. Inc. could assist materially
various institutions for the inmates.
but just how far it is intended to be
given beyond that which is now sup
piled. does not seem to be outlined
by the Community Service. Inc.
Further on in the report the COM
Is opposed to the organization spend
ing $4,000 for community dramas,
and musicals and $2O.-
900 for work among the coloreo peo-
pie of the District. Referring to the
the report said that
engaged in furnishing this service
now which feel that the services
sought to he undertaken by the Com
munity Service. Inc. will be hurtful
rather than helpful; that it will dis,
courage the development for local
talent in these lines rather than In
onnnsition to expending 100000 on
The welfare of colored people was
Xoiced on the grounds that the color
cd neonIe are organized in various
Ways for their own development. and
"some Of them favor and others op-
pose community service"