Evening star., 1933-12-06

support Of this years Community Chest
he said.
Points to Civic Burden.
washington is thought by many
travellers to be the most beautiful capt.
tai in the world. Certainly 1t is today
the most important. The American
people are Justly proud of their ma
tional capital as evidenced by the great
number OF visitors who come here an
nually. They look upon every resident
OF this city as being especially fortu-
nate. and rightly so, as no city on this
continent has more of interest to offer
Here We may meet and know the ma
tion's leaders. We may visit the stately
pubic buildings, the museums, art
galleries. libraries and monuments
Through them We may read not only
the history Of Washington, but also the
history of the Republic itself. It is a
high privilege to be a resident of this
city and a member Of this community.
Hut the people Of every city have
their problems and we have ours. We
nave Our share of poverty and disease
wnlcn we must care for entirely aside
from the burden Of unemployment We
must help those men. women and chill
dren unable to help themselves-the
orphans and the aged, and the starving
families: We must help provide for the
sick and injured. Those Of us who are
better on must each one contribute his
share
THE Community Chest organization
has very carefully estimated the re-
quirements for the coming year and
have hxed the sum at 81 .945 COO. This
estimate Is based upon the experience
OF previous years OF the depression and
Is the least amount that will pull us
through. The collections are now half
million short.
Urges Federal Share.
"Of the contribution expected to
make up the total, from the different
units $740 600 has been allotted to the
unit composed of Federal employees. In
arriving at this figure. full considera-
tion has been given to the recent cuts
In Federal salaries. The sum Is rela-
lively considerably less than last year.
There are about 80 900 Federal en-
ployes. who are now residents of the
District, including the military and
| naval contingents. If we divide $740.-
600 by $4,000 We have an average of
SO for each person in the Federal serv-
ice. This amounts to an average of rs
cents per month. Yet the total sum
subscribed by those in the Federal serv-
the sum allotted them.
I'VE hear many say they cannot af-
ford to contribute this year. / say
most emphatically that there is no man
or woman in this city drawing pay
from the Federal Government who can
afford not to contribute his or her
share. 1t is an obligation that rests
upon each one of US. 1t Is a moral
obligation. patriotic obligation. an
obligation to humanity. Notwithstand-
ing the temporary reduction that you
have suffered, you cannot afford to
close your ears or harden your hearts
to this appeal of mercy.
Every Federal employe is fortunate
to be on the pay rolls, while there are
thousands in this community who re-
quire assistance. I ask In the name of
the sick and the needy-I ask in the
name of honor and duty, that those in
Federal service maintain the high rec
ord for generosity that has character
lied their response in recent years. /
am certain that no single one of you
will have cause for regret at having
contributed the modest sum we ask
Of you"
Speaks for Gen. johnson.
In the absence of Gen. Hugh S. John
son. director of the National Recovery
Administration. Alvin Brown, executive
officer Of that organization, yesterday
told a group Of members in a meeting
in the Department of Commerce audi
torium that I'VE Of the N. r. A. ought
to know the needs of the Community
Chest. Unfortunately, SO far we haven't
done our part. We ought to feel that
1 have a slight suspicion that you who
came here have done your part and
that is why you are here"
One Of the finest examples Of public
spirited contributions to the Community
Chest among the governmental depart
ments was contained in the report of
the Public Works Administration made
public yesterday by Chest officials. 1t
was pointed out that the P. w. A. is a
new organization. Its personnel has
been assembled from Maine to Mexico
and from Alaska to Puerto Rico and the
Canal Zone. 1t Is safe to say, accord
ing to the report that less than per
cent of the employees are native Wash
ingtonians.
In spite of the fact that 95 per cent
Of the workers were newcomers to
Washington, this organization had re-
ported 134 per cent of its quota last
Monday. and was anticipating that final
returns to be made tomorrow would in
crease this figure to $50 per cent or
more. The generous contributions were
attributed to the fact that great num-
Der of these people had been out Of
work for several weeks or months and
during that period of unemployment
the need for giving had been forcefully
impressed upon them.
A striking donation in the p w. A.
was that of lady only recently EN-
NlOyed at a salary of 81 080 per wear
She pledged $24 at the rate Of 50 per
month. In thanking her for the pledge.
the solicitor suggested that perhaps in
view of her low salary she was doing
more than her share. She replied that
she was glad 10 do it for the reason that
while she was unemployed. the Com
munity Chest had helped her.