Evening star., 1936-01-01

Chest devoted all its money, less than
$2,00O,O00, to emergency relief, it would
'last about two months" on the basis
of the $3.50 900 month spent by Dis
trict and Federal Governments before
F. E r. A. aid was withdrawn and the
Transient Bureau closed.
But, the president pointed out. the
Chest could not divert its money to
emergency neds If it wished, for "peo-
pie who pledged to the Community
Chest in November did so with the
distinct understanding that the funds
so subscribed were to be used fer the
continuance of the work of the IS
agencies, which includes considerable
amount for normal relief needs
I'VE of the Chest" Dodge said, "are
simply trustees for these funds. We
are responsible to the agencies for the
gifts made by the people of Washing
ton. To divert them for additional
relief or any other needs would be a
violation--moral, if not legal-of that
trust. Contributors would have every
right to protest such diversion with
the utmost vehemence." He continued:
'Discontinuance of Federal relief
funds for the District of Columbia
brought the question of needed relief
sharply to the fore in Washington.
That the need was and is genuine there
can be no doubt. Curtailnent of Dis
trict funds during the month Of De-
cember accentuated this need The
Commissioners recognized the gravity
Of the problem and are planning to
ask Congress for additional funds,
while at the same time using available
money to restore the cut of rs per cent
which was effective in December.
Minimum Needs.
when the campaign goal Of
1877 900 was set last Fall, 1t was
based on the minimum needs of the
65 agencies comprising the Community
Chest. These needs involved a con-
siderable amount for relief funds, care
Of children in orphanages and in foster
homes, care Of old people, care of the
sick and injured, both in hospitals and
In their homes by visiting nurses,
operation of boys clubs for the purpose
of keeping future citizens away from
the street corner gangs, settlements,
and various other welfare services.
After this goal had been fixed, the
president of the Chest and DR.. William
Mcclellan. campaign chairman, met
with Commissioner Allen, at his invi-
tation, and discussed the relief situa-
ton. 1t was apparent that the with
drawal of Federal relief funds would
work extreme hardships in the Dis
trict. The Commissioners and the
Chest officials were anxious to avert
those hardships. The result was q
joint statement, setting forth the situ-
alton and calling on the people for
an additional 100000 for emergency
relief. The chest failed to reach its
minimum goal. No part of the addi-
tional 100000 was ever subscribed.
This left the Chest with a curtailed
budget for its agencies, including the
amount budgeted for normal relief
needs supplied by family agencies.
Pledges to the Community Chest
amounted to $1.757. 900, of which ap-
proximately s325,oo0 is appropriated
10 the agencies doing relief work. How
ever, only about one-fourth Of this
amount has been received in cash. The
balance is scheduled for payment In
1886. Before Federal aid was with
drawn and the Transit Bureau closed,
the Federal and District Governments
were spending slightly In excess Of
$3.50 900 a month for relief. Thus 1t
will be seen that If the Chest took all
Of It's available cash payments UP to
the present for relief, it would carry
the entire relief load about two weeks.
II the entire amount pledged were
available In cash and were thrown
into the fund for abnormal relief
needs, it would last about two months.
At the end Of that time there would
be no Chest and no Chest agencies.
Chest Pledges Budgeted.
"It is probable that nfpple some
times wonder why Q C1lest agency
n~n~n& taLA nuer raerrS1 cit.f1ifv fnr