The Washington times., 1925-05-11
The Question of a Community
Chest for Washington
By BILL PRICE.


The community chest plan financing the charitable and
welfare District is before the citizens OF
Washington and carefully and thoughtfully weighed
By them.
Consideration of this method of meeting the annual charity
District has been brought about through CUNO
H. RUDOLPH president of Of Commissioners, who
problems be dealt with few other men, The
up somewhat formal manner tomorrow
afternoon meeting of leading citizens called by Commits
sioner Rudolph
There has been an extensive growth community
plan in American cities few years. and those which
have experimental with report interesting results the
jority favorable; others not so favorable.
The success of the PLAN all other activities probably
depends upon wise administration the fair
careful distribution of funds among organizations and
individuals engaged meeting charitable and welfare de-
mands.
The community chest method makes its strongest appeal
standpoint supposed relief from the abuses Of
solicitation of charity funds the equitable distribution Of
funds with the work DONE thus replacing nequs
which naturally exist under haphazard method Of subscriptions
Washington and who subscribe many thousands
of dollars each for charitable work in this city in the
majority unable to as they would wish
between organizations and individuals appealing them
The community chest would presumably be administered by
men and women who would make it business know the
every for which money may needed and
keep fully posted the unworthy appeals that
sometimes made with less
Briefly community chest is the application of business
ideas and thought problems that of vital Importance to
every community and which should be solved in
The business houses of every community the which
must bear the brun of charity work They the first
pealed and rule situated that difficult for
them refuse the many appeals before them The heads
OF these institutions are busy men, AS leaders OF every COM
munity they phlantopcay inclined They want to do
what right but they haven't the time to investigate for
themselves Consequently there is imposition there always
is upon all charaby inclined people They would rather be
imposed upon than feel that they had permitted worthy
cause to go unaided
Opposed to the community chest idea those who claim
that the official recognition Of charity activities and organiza
tions would not put stop to appeals to business and
others from sources well authenticated and worthy which
prefer to act independently
The community chest Is Of course an annual charity budget
supposed for the community needs for entire
Unless does give relief from incessant importantly fails
to accomplish what is intended
Quite naturally operations of such plan in Washington
might not be smooth for year would be later
That has been the experience of other cities
The thought of the community the subject will be tested
at tcmorows meeting and other meetings Civic leaders OF
Washington given precptancy They thorough
and deliberate If the sentiment for community chest is
mpressively strong and the plan is adopted it will be
handled successfully. That be taken for granted
There should however be every evidence Of community
unity purpose and understanding the charity
budget idea cannot be satisfactorily put through.