Evening star., 1940-12-10
D. T.. Business Views
On Social Welfare
Work Explained
Greater Understanding by
Social Workers and
Trade Is Recommended

The viewpoints of businessmen
and of social workers toward Wasn-
| ingtons welfare problems, admitted
j " not always in complete agreement,
we're analyzed at the December
meeting OF the Council of Soc'al
/ Agencies yesterday. opt akers were
unanimous in urging greater under
standing or the part of both.
John VtcooTy. chairman o. the
| Committee on Charities and Cor
-ections of the Washington Board of
Trade, opened the discussion by
pointing out that on the general
policy of caring fer the needy in a
manner credItahle to the commu-
nifty" the two viewpoints were in
complete harmony.
From time to time, however
there has proodblv been some lack
Of understanding, perhaps some dis
agreement between members of the
council and Cnose of the Board of
Trade" he caid
Points to Prinar, Viewpoint.
He pointed oct that social workers
are probably largely influenced by
the plight of the needy-"with whom
they spend large proportion of their
time"-while Businessmen we're 'pri-
marily concerlcd with other phases
of our community life
When your suggestions are dis
cussed before the Charities and
Corrections Committee If the Board
of Trade ne told the gathering,
I'VE weigh them in the :ignt of
other community problems which
your people probably would not con-
slider to the same extent.
I'VE would, for example, give more
thought to wnat your recommenda-
tions mean to the taxpayers than
you probably would. We would seek
to anticipate what effect carrying
out those recommendation would
have on the general business and
commercial structure of the city and
to estimate the capacity and WILL
ingness of the average citizen to
pay the bill"
Mr.. Victory, who is secretary of
the Community Chest. closed by
urging closer cooperation on The
part of all
Ihlder Gives Views.
John Ihlder, executive director of
the Alley Dwelling Authority, led
discussion of Mr.. Victory's talk,
pointing out that every one agrees
with the spirit" of the speakers
observation
However, Mr.. Ihlder called atten-
ton to the fact that profit" was the
prime consideration of businessmen
land rightly so''-but that such
was not the case in social work.
The principal difference in view
points of the two was the difference
of emphasis on whether we can
carry the cost of social works." &C
cording to Mr.. Ihlder. The social
worker should, he said, present the
welfare problem to the businessman
in terms that would elicit the lat
ters sympathy.
Mr.. Ihlder emphasized, however,
that the social worker must give
more consideration to the economic
structure if the businessman is to
aid further in welfare work.
I'VE must recognize his legitimate
point of view" he declared.
Junior Activities Cited.
Charles v. Koons, chairman OF
the Advisory Council of the Youth
Welfare Committee of the Junior
Board of Commerce, outlined that
groups work in four particular
fields
He listed the various subcommit-
tees as the big brother" group,
which has II active cases where
members are helping young boys Sc
lected by Juvenile Court; the Boy
Scout cooperation group, which
plans trips for these youngsters;
the group in charge of the annual
boat ride down the Potomac for
crippled children, and the boys
service group, which executes "spot"
projects.
Mr.. Koons and Dr. James A.
Nolan, director of the Washington
Criminal Justice Association, who
led discussion on his talk. both
called on the council to point out
where the the junior board might
be of greater service in the citys
welfare program. DR.. Nolan also is
a member of the junior board
Mrs. Harry S. Bernton, president
of the council, presided.