Evening star., 1925-01-18
Effort to Accumulate Wealth
Held to Indicate UnsOund Mind

took it up. The business of collect
ing and distributing for charities was
| to be organized, regulated and sys-
| tematized. The various enterprises
/ which were worthy of support and
OF value to the public were listed
| One collection a year was authorized
generally approved, universally sup
| ported. Total collections were di-
| vided among the beneficiaries. More
good could be done with less money
| 1t was argued; annoyances would
cease, time would be saved; we would
have a business-like administration
| of charity. The movement was fairly
| successful. 1t still is successful in
some cities. II has not, however
been 100 per cent successful every
where New enterprises not includ ed
| in the list of beneficiaries sought sup
port outside the organized movement
1t is doubtful, too. If the community
| chest idea resulted in economy of eX-
penditure.
A new idea is now being put for
| ward II contemplates that all chart
ties hitherto supported by the com
| munity chest or other public con
| tributions shall be supported by a
| general tax levied upon the people OF
| the community. Its sponsors seem to
believe that this would be an equita-
lble way in which to prove the Father
hood of God and the Brotherhood OF
| Mankind They seem to overlook the
| fact that those who are able to pay
would be exempt from paying under
| their plan. The taxes, OF course
| would be levied off of the property
| which is taxable Property ~hich Is
| not subject TO taxation would pay
nothing. The persons who are get
| ting out of business because of high
| taxes, converting their wealth into
! tax-exempt securities because OF the
annoyances of Government interfer-
ence. getting their houses in order
| SO TO speak so neither Nation noI
state can call upon them for support
| would escape. In this respect the
new scheme is inequitable and un1us'
| upon its face.
There is a far more serious objec-
| tion. however. II would take out
| giving that element which helps the
| Eiver even more than IT helps the re-
| cipient. This criticism applies, IT
| part, TO the community chest. we
| made charity something OF machine
when we said to the citizen, Make
| one contribution a year and that Is al
that will be required of YOU. ms
| had all the earmarks of a business
transaction. Yet there is much OF
1
viii in a community chest drive
! Those in charge OF the machinery
| proba bly, feel il the most. ! some
| times wonder what IL has done tt
those who once a year simply fur'
nish the snews Of war and take nc
interest in the battle at any other
time Has il atrophied that fine hehti'
meut in human nature-the desire
upon the part Of one who Is UP tt
help another who is down? IT II ha'
we have suffered great loss. we
must get away from the idea that do
! ing good to others is conferrinG bene'
| factions upon them. We must Se'
! back TO the idea that doing good tC
| others is doing good 10 one sef
How many ages must go by until We
! can learn the real lesson OF life
! which is that It is not what we have
and can keep. but what We give away
that remains ours eternally?
/ hope no rich man who is adding tc
| his riches, or no man who is trying
to become rich. will be deferred from
his activities by the annoyances OF tht
| Ife we now have. Even though he be
not quite of sound mind. his insanity
| is a good thing for the world. hops
! he VIII keep on being insane. l hope
our Government will treat him a lit
| tic less cayalierly, and that he him
self will pause In the making or his
money to consider whether instead OF
leaving all his wealth to taxation he
Will not have justified his sanity, citi-
! zenship and Christianity the better by
using 1t as he makes it for those who
are less fortunate than himself.
| Copyright. 1925. by 21st Century Press.)