Evening star., 1928-11-27
The Community Chest.

The Community CheSt.
During the past several years. as the
essential preliminary educational PRO-
gram looking to the establishment OF a
Community Chest in Washington went
forward, there have been voiced many
and dire predictions as to the almost
inevitable failure of the chest plan in
the National Capital. One heard that,
owing to the unique nature of the local
community, it was over-optimistic to
anticipate less than utter failure for a
plan that was unassailable from the
viewpoint of applying established prin-
ciples of efficiency to the problems OF
charitable and welfare endeavor. Just
what accounted for this dark COM
mentary upon local intelligence was
never made quite clear. The common
sense of community chest methods; the
advantages which would accrue to
Washington were it put into effect here;
the undoubted success of the chests OF
scores of other cities, were arguments
met with gloomy shakings Of the head
and respondent assurances that Wash
ington was different"
The work of those who visioned for
Washington the benefits of a properly
organized and efficiently conducted
chest went forward undismayed. The To-
cal agencies were initiated into the bene-
fits of cooperative endeavor through
the successful establishment and sound
operation of the Washington Council of
Social Agencies. The agencies them
selves, studying the chest idea. became
strongly impressed with its multiform
advantages. The contributing interests
of the community were educated in va
rious ways as to what benefits they
would derive-relief from the annoyance
Of unending individual soliciting, expert
scrutiny of the local welfare problem as
q whole, with the obviation of duplica-
ton of effort and low standards IN
general, the eficiencizing of the local
welfare dollar. A strong and represen-
tative group of leading Weshingtonians
was created which, commanding the
respect and confidence of the COM
munity, pledged itself to back the chest
idea firstly with work and secondly with
dollars.
There are but three essentials to a
successful community chest, whether in
Washington or elsewhere, and these are
the cooperation of a sufficient number
of the principal local welfare agencies;
the support and leadership Of those men
and women Of the community from
whom their fellow citizens may conf
IDENTIFY expect the most efficient directive
ability; and the education Of the COM
munity as whole to point where,
understanding the chest idea and its
many advantages, it will respond to the
financial campaign of the chest with
generosity born of sincere approval.
That the chest plan is going to be
great local success becomes increasingly
evident each day. Already two Of the
three essential factors indicated above
have been met. The cooperative
enthusiasm of Washington's welfare
agencies Is so strongly evidenced as to
insure between forty and fifty individual
units of all creeds and descriptions
banding together for the effort, and this
is announced to be the most successful
demonstration of its kind ever achieved
in a city comparable to the National
Capital. A group of trustees and COM
mittee members has been announced
which cannot fail to impress the public
with the character and sound business
principles Of its components. Backed
with the assistance of the boards of the
individual member agencies, it may
safely be stated that no comparable
group has ever hitherto been organized
4n Washington for charitable endeavor.
The third factor, the factor of a
stimulated and awakened public appre-
citation Of the truth that Washington S
responsibility for its helpless citizens is
the responsibility of every individual OF
the community to such extent as his
or her financial status will permit, Is
bound to ensue. Upwards of a million
dollars, perhaps a million and a half,
will have to be raised in this one cam
paign. It can only be raised if one and
all, whether the contribution be fifty
thousand or one dollar, plays sincere
and generous part in thoroughly
worthwhile endeavor. That such will
be the case The Star entertains nc
doubt.