Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-08
Federal Unit
Awaits Signal
For Chest Drive
Mrs. Roosevelt Speaks
AT Pre-Compoign
Rally of 1000

An organization or Z,UOU volunteer
solicitors today stood prepared to
seek Community Chest contributions
from Federal and District govern
ment employees, following a pre-
campaign rally yesterday in the
Departmental Auditorium during
which Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt
greeted the workers and offered a
brief inspirational message.
The meeting was held to focus at
tention of the Chest Government
Unit on commencement of the an
nual drive Wednesday.
Two sessions were scheduled to-
day-Area l of the Group Solicita-
ton Unit at 1915 pm. in the
Chestnut Farms Chevy Chase Dairy,
with Dean Nobel G. Powell of Wash
ington Cathedral speaking, and the
Campaign Committee at 4 pm. in
the Office of it's chairman, Chauncey
G. Parker, jr.
In indorsing the Chests work,
Mrs. Roosevelt said she felt certain
this years campaign would find
"many more recruits" taking ad-
vantages Of the opportunity to con-
tribute more than money.
I'VE really need supplementary
work that I believe localities should
provide through their governments"
she said.
IT don't think it is necessary to
emphasize that there is need"
Mrs. Roosevelt declared, for l am
sorry to have to repeat what l
have said before-there are many
agencies here that are supposed to
help people that need help that are
far below the standards we would
like to see them have"
Draper Cites Challenge.
Unit Chairman Ernest G. Draper,
member of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System,
termed the Chest appeal "a direct
challenge to the best that is in
us" and called upon the workers
to make every possible effort in
behalf of the system which, he
said, by aiding "our own neighbors"
Is helping to make democracy
day-to-day reality rather than
hypocritical sham"
Chairman Joseph B. Eastman OF
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion asserted visitors from other
parts of the Nation do not have
opportunity to look behind" i'm
posing buildings to see the squalor
Of their Capital.
cit shames us who live here in
comparative well-being," he said.
Mr.. Eastman added he had been
convinced through personal in
vestigation of the Chests efficiency
and value here and termed criti-
cisms unfair"
Chest Director Herbert L. Will
lett, jr.. stated:
eve ask two things of contri-
button: That it be voluntary and
that it be generous"
2 Counties in Chest.
The voluntary element is impor-
tant, he explained, because officials
OF the Chest want donors ito enjoy
the privilege of giving" and share
In the satisfaction Of member agen-
cies' work.
Mr.. Willett pointed out residents
of Montgomery and Prince Georges
Counties, Md, who are employed in
Washington are in the same posi-
ton with regard to Chest contribu-
tons as those living within the
District since welfare agencies Of
these counties are members of the
Washington Community Chest.
Alexandria City, Fairfax County
and Arlington County, Va, have
separate funds, however, he said,
and residents of those areas work.
ing in Washington have "a dual re-
sponsibility" and should decide on
their total gift and then proportion
It between the Washington Chest
and that in their home community,
keeping in mind number of services
rendered, effect of these services on
themselves and preferences in types
of work they wish to support par
ticularly
Col. Fletcher PreSldeS.
Col. Robert H. Fletcher, chair
man of the Government Speakers
Committee, presided at the rally,
and those on the platform included
District Commissioner McCoach,
Chest President Coleman Jennings
and General Campaign Chairman
Chauncey G. Parker, jr.
The Chest motion picture was
shown.
Earlier in the day the Junior
Board of Commerce had concerned
itself with plans for the drive dur
ing its regular weekly luncheon
meeting in the Annapolis Hotel.
George E. Bigge of the Social Secur-
ity Board, spoke.
1t was the second pre-campaign
Chest program of the Junior Board,
an evening rally having been staged
October 29.
The organization of young busi-
ness and professional men will work
as part of the Metropolitan Units
Downtown Area through % teams.