Evening star., 1928-05-23
The Community Chest.

The field having been thoroughly cam
vaSsed and found ready, Washington is
evidently on the eve OF making its
first definite experiment with the COM
munity chest. a method of financing
social work that has been so success
fully installed iii other large communi-
ties that Washington could no longer
afford TO hang back. The care ana
thought which have marked preparatory
work here augur well for the success
Of ihe movement when ii gets under
wsv There has been no disposition to
"sell" the community chest idea to the
CAPITAL by high pressure methods or
20 force its unwilling adoption. For
over a year now a committee, formed
through the Council OF Social Agen-
cies. has been sounding out sentiment
among the various social agencies, and
more recently Pierce Williams of the
National Association OF Community
Chests has made a careful survey OF
the local situation. which included dis
cussions with business leaders and social
workers. Mr.. williams has found that
the city is ready to make the expert
unent. Public-spirited citizens have
promised their time and support IN
launching the movement. and enough
of the city's many social agencies 10
make the experiment worth while nave
volunteered TO work through the COM
munity chest.
The result of the interesting meet
ing held yesterday at the home OF
Charles J. Bell which brought together
a notable number OF civic leaders. has
heen to form a committee intrusted with
the duty of organizing the community
chest. This committee viii have the
support of the community as repre-
sented ny some of its most influential
citizens and organizations.
Despite the wide success OF the COM
r,unity chest in other communities
there are many who still hold out Tor
the old method Of placing with each
agency the responsibility OF meeting It's
own budgetary requirements. These
cannot be classed strictly as opponents
of the community chest principle. They
merely await a practical demonstration
of the theory that more funds. more
readily given. are forthcoming from
the organization Of community chest
than without 1t. Their opinions, In
washington, have been respected There
has been no attempt to bulldoze them
into a receptive frame of mind Tney
ere perfectly within their rights IN de-
Ginning. at this time. to join the ma
sorsty of the social agencies in agree
ir1e 20 cooperate in the formation OF
the community chest. Here IN wash
snaton. therefore. the forthcoming ex-
pertinent will be watched with twofold
interest The hope is that its success
viii not only repay fully those agencies
which have agreed 10 cast their lot
with the community chest. but in addi-
ton viii serve TO convert and TO bring
within the circle those who stu hold
out for individual effort.
washingtons recent growth, not only
in population, but in the field for social
work and the agencies in that field.
has been amazing Those who support
charitable and social work In its many
forms have faced increasing difnciilty
fr the choice Of the most worthwhile
recipient of their benefactions 1t would
not be surprising II there are many
here VINO. confronted with continual
demands for money for this, that and
the other cause. have given zip In dis
may and declined 70 support anything.
II industry and business have proftee
by merger. combination and the elm
ination o. waste and duplication, IT IL
natural that social work should bene-
e. BY similar tactics Elimination oi
overlapping responsibilities, duplicated
effort and useless overhead, as well ss
tire psychological advantage Of one big
appeal for funds over scores Of cam
paigng" and drives" are the ends at
which the community chest principle
is aimed. In Washington q united ef~
fort Is necessary 70 put the plan on
working Dssis. When the time comes.
this effort stli not be- lacking.
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China If called upon 70 recognize the