Evening star., 1928-12-07
STREET DESCRIBES
CHEST OPERATION
Director, Speaking Over
Radio, Answers Questions
About Charity Fund.

The Washington Community Ches:,
| it's functions and operation, were de-
scribed by Elwood Street, director, in an
address over radio station WRC last
night
| The address was in the form of an
swers to questions regarding the chest.
| Describing the chest as "a federation
of over SO of Washington's accredited
charitable and philanthropic organiza-
| tions with contributors who have united
| themselves for the purpose of conduct
ing one annual campaign for funds" {"
Mr.. Street declared: 1T is expected that
the cost of raising funds will be cut in
half; that it will result in more money
being raised than in the past; will in
crease the number of givers; will great
ly improve the quality of work done
by the various member bodies; will
bring about the adoption of business
like methods where they are now lack
ing, and will develop cooperative
spirit of great Importance.
A Common Charity.
Pointing out that the chest member
ship is composed of Catholic, Jewish,
Protestant and non-sectarian agencies,
of organizations serving both white and
colored, he declared it includes the ap-
peals on behalf of people of all races
and creeds, land, consequently, an ap-
peal to all citizens on the basis of that
charity which is common to all religions
and to all racial groups"
Asserting that none of the chest Off
GERS or the three or four thousand vol
unteer workers will receive any COM
pensation for their services, Mr.. Street
described the chest as a corporation
handling over $1,000000 and the &C
counts of at least 100000 contributors.
What salaries it will be necessary to
pay are to be kept at as low a figure
as possible both because the officers
of the chest feel a responsibility for
handling the funds as economically as
possible and also because they know
that the economy of the Community
Chest is one of the strongest talking
points" In this connection he de-
clared ut would be foolish as well as
unworthy for the Community Chest to
spend single dollar more than was
absolutely necessary to secure COM
petent and efficient help"
Building Drives Necessary.
Mr.. Street pointed out that the chest
can eliminate separate campaigns for
funds only within the ranks of its
member organizations. 1T guarantees.
he continued, that these organizations
will not appeal to the citizens of Wash
ington for any current expenses what
soever," emphasizing that these needs
will be taken care of through the funds
raised in the Community Chests one
big campaign each year.
Mr.. Street added:
"The Community Chest will from
time to time allow campaigns for build
ing funds by its members, and these
will be carefully regulated so that they
will be only for the amounts which
are necessary and at times which are
proper. The Community Chest in
cludes only funds for current expenses
and cannot include capital expense
needs for buildings and endowment
which must necessarily fiuctuate from
year to year.
"The Community Chest cannot and
will not include the campaigns and
appeals of organizations which have
not qualified for membership Any
reputable social agency can become a
member of the Community Chest. The
Community Chest does not include
churches in its membership or national
organizations which do not have local
branches"