Evening star., 1937-06-20
By JOSEPH Marian.
TO RACKETEERS who solicit

hIe duueu VIII
i ask money in the name OF God,
making capital of the faith of Wash
ingtonians incapable of believing per-
sons exist who are capable OF solicit
ing cash for religious charities and
pocketing all or most of the proceeds.
At any rate, that is the system OF
two Of the most successful and un-
scrupulous operators it has been our
displeasure to meet. They function
as the Catholic Church Directory"
and Where Washington Worships." !"
The legitimate and official Catholic
Directory Of the Archdiocese Of Bal
timore, published annually with the
1mprimatur of his grace, Michael
James Curley, archbishop Of the See
of Baltimore is the only accepted
publication of the Roman Catholic
Church in Washington, Baltimore,
Western and Southern Maryland,
comprising the precincts Of the arch
diocese.
This publication carries the only
official list OF dignitaries of the hier-
archy, the pastors, assistants, educa-
tors, both among the clergy and sister
hood, and complete listing of all
Catholic institutions.
And yet the promoter of the "Catho-
&c Church Directory" published in
Washington, and his solicitors, have
the effrontery to approach our citi-
sens with this pitch" over the tele-
phone:
Good morning. Mr.. Blank. This
Is Father NJ. of the Catholic Church
Directory speaking. AS you know,
Mr.. Blank, We are making a special
drive this year to add to our charity
fund revenue through the medium OF
cur directory. OF course. our charity
bureau has been taxed to the limit
snd we are therefore calling upon
you and other substantial business
rlen, not only of our faith, but those
Who do business with our people, to
assist us in our relief work
Anything You might do to assist
IN the way OF taking an advertise
n,ent in our directory will not only
be greatly appreciated by us, but also
ky his exellency, Archbishop Curley.
THANK you, Mr.. Blank. I shall
Send one OF our committee to see you
some time today. And by the way,
cur circulation is now over $4,000,
covering every parish in Washington"
After careful investigation we find
that the circulation OF this publica-
ton has never been over $500, but
we can readily see how the average
prospect falls in line" believing it
- he the official Catholic Directory.
THE pitch" on the publication
Where Washington Worships,"
Which includes all Christian religious
denominations, is almost the same,
khe only difference being that the
name Of the presiding church digni-
tary Of the denomination being ex-
plotted is used
Another poor, undernourished
nnderprivileged child charity" which
has all the earmarks OF a promotion
scheme is apparently being operated
by one man with, of course, his corps
OF telephone solicitors. This organi-
kation maintains house where they
are supposed to supply milk, bread
and the other necessities OF life to
poor mothers and their children.
They are also supposed to support a
Summer camp somewhere in Mary
land which, we learn, is actually the
Summer home Of the promoter. And
where. to cover up, they really keep
G few children for few days.
This promoter or manager" as he
terms himself. not only solicits funds
to carry on his "philanthropic work"
but he also solicits food and clothing.
He has even gone so far as to solicit,
snd receive gratis. bricks, mortar and
cement to build shower baths for the
poor children" But this shower
Bath material went directly into build
ng luxuries in his home for his per-
Donal use.
This organization was at one time
represented by committee Of prom
inent Washington citizens who last
pear resigned in body upon dis
covering the sort of conniving taking
place, unknown to them, within the
organization. This further proves
that the respectable citizen should
thoroughly investigate the object Of
any charity and its personnel before
lending his or her name to its ac-
tivitieS.
In calling upon few business men
who have been Of real service to
Us in our endeavor to put to rout
these nuisances we find each and every
one highly pleased with the results to
Gate
E. E. Downham, treasurer of brick
company, states: Since you started
your articles some 10 weeks ago,
nave been called upon just once by
o solicitor for some unfamiliar charity.
advised this party that would in
Vestigate his appeal and if the same
was worthy I would gladly make a
contribution. But he never returned.
Prior to your expose I was some-
times called upon for advertising space
Or straight donations as often as
three or four times day."
Ia ND this appears to be general.
But We fear this is but a lull
h their nefarious operations. They
may be Lying down" until the effect
Of this campaign blows over. And
right now is the opportune moment
to call halt to charity chiseling"
In the District Of Columbia once and
for all time.
Thus, according to Herbert L. Will
ett, jr.. director of the Community
Chest, 'it is much harder to condemn
IN organization that is already in
operation and make accusations stick
than to forestall the starting OF 4
dy-by- night"
We, therefore, very humbly submit
the following plan:
/. Create an Endorsement board