Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-11-07

Some 5000 volunteers lined up for
peacetime battle today to defend
the home front" through working
for the Community Chest.
With the Chests opening mass
meeting at Constitutional Hall last
night for a sendoff, the volunteers
prepared for their first report meet.
ing, to be held at the Willard Hotel
tomorrow. They have been given
two weeks Of intense campaigning
to reach a 100000 goal.
Both the Rev. Edmund A. Walsh,
S. j., regent of The Georgetown Uni
versity Foreign Service School, and
Federal Security Administrator Paul
v. McNutt, speaking at the rally
last night, stressed the need of
Strengthening democratic processes
in the face of war and brute force
abroad
Community care for the unfor-
tunate is traditional American re-
sponsibility, said Mr.. McNutt. I'VE
have always extended our hand to
the weak and we always will. 1t is
the democratic way Of doing things,
and this call for help that the Com
munity Chest is issuing is an appeal
to the democratic conscience"
$500 at Meeting.
Some $500 volunteers and contrib
utors, gathered in the hall, heard
his grim warning that hungry men
and women have always been in the
vanguard of every revolt"
Pointing to the enormous loss of
life and the wholesale destruction of
property in war-shattered lands.
he declared 1T is from the conse-
quences of such social upheavals
that the people of America must
be saved"
A round of applause greeted him
when he stated, Il would that it
were possible for the Government to
be able to guarantee to the youth of
this country that never again would
Americans be driven to war. No
such pledge can be given now, but
l do believe that the United States
occupies such a strategic position
that it can assure its people that
never again will it be drawn into
another country's war unless its
own security is menaced."
Americas long-range course is
clearly indicated, he asserted. Our
job now and in the future is going
to be the saving of democracy in
America" he said.
Our welfare agencies, both pri-
vately and governmentally oper-
ated, must see to it that the youth
of our country continues to receive
the opportunities to become what
we call good citizens.
Sees Fulfillment of Trust.
Il am sure that we will not fail in
our trust and I have an abiding
faith that, although other countries
may commit suicide, America will
endure as a land of opportunity,
good will and orderly liberty"
He termed Government and pri-
vate agencies partners in the same
great enterprise" and said that there
is no conflict between the two.
THE Federal Government has &C
cepted the responsibility for basic
security" he declared, but there is
and always will be q demand for
local participation in social welfare
activities which the Government
cannot hope to meet
Stating that destiny has con-
fronted America with q challenge
that reaches to the very depths Of
our social conscience" Father Walsh
predicted that America may become
the last haven of faith in human
sanity. the last hope for human
progress and the last refuge Of char
ity towards all men,"
Against that dread but not fanci-
full possibility" he declared, "all our
strength and will and resources must
be modified.
World Eyes of Washington.
'The Capital of the richest and
most powerful Nation on earth now
begins fulfillment OF its social con-
science. May it give and be thank
AAA CAAou ~ SoAAs CoPNNAAAy dt L1l1S
historic moment when the eyes and
ears of the entire world are centered
on this city"
In the great account of world
events, he pointed out, $4,000 900 Is
but small fraction of the obliga-
ton incumbent on us all to keep the
Capital of the United States a
strong, healthy, united and con-
tented community, prepared to face
with confidence the unknown des-
tiny of an obscure and unpredictable
tomorrow.
In welcoming the audience, Com
missioner Melvin G. Hazen, who
headed the Committee of Mass
Meeting Sponsors, spoke of the Chest
as an essential enterprise" that,
besides being a philanthropic effort,
has made an outstanding contribu-
ton in drawing together people Of
all races, .creeds and social levels
that they may share equally and
Economically as good neighbors
and good friends" 49,.
He urged the audience to open