Evening star., 1936-09-18

voluntary gifts, fails to perform these
tasks so that the public Treasury is
required to assume the burden, the
employer still pays . substantial pro-
portion of the costs. An important
difference Is that as public admins
tration u imposed to displace the
agencies of private philanthropy. there
is the inevitable introduction of
political considerations, with the
tendency toward waste, extravagance,
and misapplied effort.
THE farther removed the seat Of
administrative authority may be from
the scene of activity and the init
mate understanding Of local COM
munity needs, the greater will be the
inef1ciency in costs.
This Is the most potent argument
against Federal administration Of re-
lief activities and also the most potent
argument In favor Of private relief.
The relative efficiency Of private
as compared to public philanthropic
agencies Is unquestioned. One Of the
most serious threats to our social
structure arises from conditions
which have forced government to as
sumo responsibility for the welfare Of
its citizens, with the danger that
such q course must inevitably pro-
duce political pressure for constantly
more relief and constantly less work"
Women Hold Session.
During consideration Of the indus-
trial formulae, the women at the con-
ference were in separate session under
leadership Of Mrs. Harper sibley Of
Rochester. Prior to these discussion
sessions, the annual business meeting
Of the conference was held at an 9
O'Clock breakfast gathering.
At the annual business meeting Of
the Community Chests ana Councils.
Inc, Stillman r. Westbrook was re-
elected president. with Newton D.
Baker again being named honorary
president. c. Phelps Dodge Of WASH
ington again was named q member Of
the National Board Of Directors.
In filling the complete board Of 30
members the agency this year decided
to increase the ratio Of lay members
to professional and social workers.
This morning 20 lay members were
named, % compared to 10 profession
ais. Previously the board had been
evenly divided.
Emphasis during conference pro-
ceedines yesterday afternoon and last
night was directed almost exclusively
at the need Of increased character
building work.
Keynote for this subject was sound
ed in President Roosevelt's charge Of
responsibility in the morning and was
repeated with visor by Westbrook at
the afternoon meeting.
The former, delivering an impas-
stoned address on behalf Of character
work among children, suggested that
the private charities might well start
afresh into this field with thorough
appraisals Of need providing the
groundwork.
Somehow we'll solve our economic
problems" Baker declared. "Our
country provides more than enough
for us to eat and to wear. Our enter.
,tainers even provide Us with sufacient
amusement. But more than ali these
we must introduce the sort Of thing
that strengthens character. There u
need for social service Of this kind
because the world IL in . very sad
state"
Reminded yesterday morning BY
President Roosevelt Of returning pros
perity In industry, business leaders At.
tending the conference discussed the
part Of corporate contributions at an
executive session. Upon its adjourn
ment, Gerard Swope, president Of Gen.
eral Electric CO. and chairman Of the
conference, Predicted that industry