Evening star., 1933-02-05
Easing Of Private Charity
Burden and More Public
Aid Is Proposed.
CHARACTER-BUILDING
AGENCIES EMPHASIZED
Study Of Possibilities for Payment
Immediately for Relief as
Needed Is Suggested.

Vital changes in the existing prac-
tices Of dealing with the welfare and
relief problems Of the community are
necessary in these times of economic
stress. 1t was stated in the final report
Of the Budget Committee of the Com
munity Chest, made public last night
The committee. headed by Joshua
Evans, jr.. called for:
An easing of the burden Of private
philanthropy on the present ALLEGATION
Of responsibility.
Close unification of public and pri-
vate relief activities.
Practical II not actual merging of
funds which are available
Cooperative handling Of relief funds
recommended as being available for the
case work agencies, In SO far as is pos
sible
Public Funds Needed.
The committee opened its report with
the fiat statement that public funds
must be provided to carry the extra
burden Of relief created by economic
conditions
The committee also declared that the
proportion Of private funds allocated to
relief work should not be so great as to
cripple the rest Of the program Of pri-
vate philanthropy. developed painfully
over years and serving. in the minds Of
many people, needs which are just as
important as those Of direct relief to
the destitute.
1T Is clear" said Mr.. Evans, 'that
the depression Is creating many kinds
Of distress aside from those Of direct
unemployment of able bodied men,"
I'VE are mindful Of the fact" the re-
port continues. that s1.250,000 will
probably be provided out of public funds
this year which, added to the S524,294 "a
now appropriated for the Private relief
agencies. produces a total Of approx
mately $l,774,000 for. relief and serv-
ice for the year 1888, as compared with
the sum of approximately sl.640, 900
which was provided, mainly out of con-
tributed funds, in 1882. This sum
obviously Is inadequate to meet the
growing needs for relief. It Is the
opinion Of the Budget Committee that
additional appropriations must be made
by Congress from municipal funds II
the needs Of the destitute unemployed
in the District Of Columbia are to be
met. Congress. as our city council has
already accepted the principle Of as
Stunning this responsibility. That prin-
ciple must be expressed In additional
appropriations II the need Is to be met"
The report also points out that a
new principle Is established in the
method of settlement with member hos
pitals. The Community Chest, the re-
port says, cannot assume responsibility
for operating deficits Of hospitals.
Stresses Character Work.
The report stresses the necessity Of
maintaining the character building
agencies Of the Chest. It should not
be necessary, it says, to remark, that
the character-building organizations are
rendering peculiarly important serv-
ice during this critical period in provid-
ing for the unemployed various forms
Of constructive use for leisure time and
further, that from long-range view,
the costs of financing efficiently run
character-building agencies effect sub
stantial civic savings because the serv-
ices Of these agencies are distinctly pre-
ventive of delinquency, vice and crime,
with attending heavy financial burdens
on the community.
Let us remember" the report says,
that the Community Chest is not q
charity chest. but IS simply q fedora.
ton OF various agencies, which In the
past had independent campaigns for
financial support each year and which
have been accepted into membership in
the Chest with full knowledge OF the
varying character of the work these
agencies have been doing"
Recommendation made In the report
include study by the Council of Social
Agencies on the possibilities of i'm
mediate payments to relief agencies as
needed from month to month, rather
than holding them to one-twelfth of
their appropriation per month; estab-
l1shment Of veterans central service
bureau for the administration OF
veterans relief; payment to hospitals
at q rate per patient day" not to
exceed 81; reduction Of all salaries by
10 per cent Of those over $1,000 and
S per cent Of those under $1,000 where
such reduction has not already been
made; the appointment Of permanent
maintenance and repair committee to
advise and pass on all major items OF
repair; q permanent insurance COM
mittee to review all insurance.
Ban Camp Deficits.
The report also recommends that no
camp deficit be allowed any agency. II
camps are to be conducted they must
be on self-supporting basis or through
securing scholarships for individuals
from interested groups or persons. This
means the actual closing of Camp Good
viii and Camp Pleasant operated by
the Associated Charities, and of the
Salvation Army fresh air camp for this
year. It Is also recommended that
agencies which have in their budgets
curtailment Of principal Indebtedness
out Of Chest contributions be asked to
defer them for this year.
In order to secure the benefits Of
economy, Of time and Of money, which
come through the establishment Of Of
fees Of social agencies in continuous
quarters, using various common facili-
ties, 1t is recommended that the presi-
strong committee to study the possibili-
ties Of central offlcing. and prepare rec
concentrations for the putting Of such
plan into effect at the earliest possible
moment. Also in the interest Of econo-
my 1t Is recommended that q commit
tee be appointed to study the possibili-
ties OF central purchasing and stand
ardiAng for such agencies as can effect
economies through this plan.
Mr.. Evans points out that this report
Is the result Of many hours Of careful
study by committees composed Of some
Of the most prominent citizens Of WASH
ington. These people, he says, have
given their time freely IN an effort to
solve the problem confronting the
Chest agencies by reason Of the failure
Of the Chest to reach its goal this year.
Bolivia Bars Festivities.
LA PAZ, Bolivia, February 4 @.-