Evening star., 1940-10-09
Chest Unit Is Told
Funds for Needy
Strengthen Defenses
Speakers Bureau Holds
Pre-Compoign Dinner
For Intensive Drive

foI intensive DIINe
Members of the Speakers Bureau
OF the Community Chest today
were spurred in their preparations
for the coming drive by the thought
they we're doing as important a job
in building the Nations defenses
"as the men who make the guns and
man them"
H. r. Baukhage, radio commenta-
Tor and reporter, made this Observa-
t1on last night at a pre-drive rally
for the bureau at Calvary Baptist
! Church and in so observing sounded
what many believe will be the key
note of the coming Chest drive.
This country has weaknesses
which grow out of the faults of de-
mocracy-poverty, hunger and dis
content. These are invisible para
chutists," he said. land you can't
Kill them with firing squad.
Before you can call on a people
10 arise. you must be sure there are
no grounds for complaint" he
added, and. although he did not
say 1t in so many words. left no
doubt in the minds of listeners he
meant that the never-endlng war on
"causes for complaint" carried on oy
the Chest and similar organizations
try's mechanism.
Sees Slum Bombing Deliberate.
He declared the concentration of
Nazi bombers on London'S notorious
slums was part of carefully laid
plan to make the LOndoner who
goes ill-lad, ill-housed and ill-fed
discontented with his lot and with
his country.
What you have in your stomach
can affect to a surprising degree
what you are thinking in your
head" he said.
Mr.. Baukage declared that de-
spite evacuation measures taken by
the British to prevent spread of
this discomfort that there is an
undercurrent of i'll feeling none the
less.
IF it can happen there it can
happen here" he observed
The dinner was attended by more
than 200 persons. some members OF
the Chest Speakers Bureau, whose
rally dinner it was; guests from So
cial service and civic organizations,
as we'll as certain Government de-
partments. 1t was said to be the
first time the bureau has held a
pre-drive rally.
J. S. Gorrell, chairman of the
Chest unit, was POSTMASTER Tor the
occasion.
Mr.. Gorrell introduced a number
of persons prominent in Chest work,
some of whom spoke briefly.
Jennings Sees Secret Ally
Coleman Jennings. Chest presi-
dent. told speakers who are to carry
the Chest campaign to organlza-
tions and to the general public via
the radio that they were address
ing a secret ally in this years
drive. The ally. he said, was the
thought in every heart that we
are living in lucky country.
Gratitude for this, he said, should
prove effective in stimulating the
generosity of those subscribing to
the campaign despite increased
taxes and help to war-torn Europe.
Leo F. Thiel Of. Columbia Teach
ers' College said that for many years
he had not realized what kind Of
city Washington is. That there
were persons with no shoes, no
shelter and those who are sick and
needy, despite the fine buildings and
fine streets.
"Washington," he said, sis the
center of a great Nation. But it is
also the center for great need.
The need is just as great IN
1910 as it was in 1889" he added.
Herbert L. Willett, jr, Chest di-
rector. declared that too much en-
phasis has been placed heretofore
on giving to the Chest" Contribu-
tors. rather, give through the
Chest"
"The people who are helped are
IN the forefront. The organization
Is simply a means to an end he
said.
Film Pictures Need.
During the rally, 'Doorways of
Washington" a natural color NOV
ing picture showing the persons to
whom Chest help actually goes,
was shown.
Persons present appeared touched
deeply by the film as foundlings,
aged. needy and sick were shown.
Those at the rally were urged
to carry word of the film to their
organizations and friends and to
see that the film was booked for
continuous ShoWingS.
1t is the first time the Chest has
been able to acquire moving pic
ture for its drive, Mr.. Willett said.
He praised j. D. Kenny, chief
photographer of the Federal Secu-
rity Agency, who made the film on
his own time free of charge. Ma
terials used were the only thing
paid for Mr.. Willett said.
The film is accompanied by
eoundtrack in which Thomas J.
Clemenger of Pathe News delivers
running narration concerning the
pictures shown.
Those present included Col. R. H.
Fletcher, vice chairman of the
Government Unit for the Chest
drive; Bruce R. Allen, public rela-
tions unit chairman, and Mrs. Allen;
Paul D. Sleeper Metropolitan Unit
chairman; Carleton Smith, N. B. c.
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