Evening star., 1941-11-13
Chest Reports
S135,633 Total
AsDriive0pens
5,63l Pledges Are
Turned In at First
Of luncheons

Volunteer workers who opened the
annual drive of the Community
Chest today reported at luncheon
meeting at the Willard Hotel shortly
after noon that sl35 .63335 of the
50 600 900 goal already had been OBJ
tanned.
The total was made up of 563l
pledges and represented 616 per
cent of the sum the workers hope
to solicit during the next two weeks.
The breakdown by groups included:
From the Government unit, 4,4l0
pledges totaling S34 .485 for Al per
cent OF its quota: group solicitation
unit, 963 pledges totaling S72 093 .35,
for 1864 per cent of its quota: me-
trOpolitan unit. s27.4l0: District unit.
258 pledges. sl645 for 222 per cent
of its quota.
Ten thousand volunteer workers
took the field meanwhile, to spread
over Washington the slogan, For
Their TomorTOW-Giye To-day"
They began their canvassing
with the reminder that improved
business conditions in the District
are more than Offset. from well
fare standpoint, by the immense in
crease in population and the conSe-
Quent growth in the number of
needy.
On the eve OF the campaign
yesterday the District COmmis
sioners issued proclamation char
acteriZing the Chest drive as AN
opportunity TO reaffirm our belief
in the American way Of life" and
calling upon Washing to
lend their support.
~ Agency Members
Into every home and Office the
Canvassers will carry their plea
during the next two weeks III an
effort 10 reach their goal during
the campaign period allotted They
will ask for contributions for the
continued operation of 49 Chest
member agencies. each of which is
dedicated 10 the human welfare Of
the Young, the helpless. the sick
and the distressed.
Starting them out in their drive
John Clifford Folger. general cam
palgn chairman. cheered them with
the thought resulting from the solic-
itatiOn efforts of the Advance Gifts
Unit, that the public does not
intend 10 give higher taxes as. a
reason for not contributing
Contrary to our fears" he said.
there has been no disposition on
the part of contributors TO reduce
their gifts as a result of increased
taxes. In other words. there has
been no tendency to pass on taxes
10 the sick and the poor and the
needy"
Speaking to the public, MI. Folger
said there Is ready answer TO
the question. Why is there need for
Chest support when business is
good?'
Our population has increased
from 30 TO 40 per cent in the last
10 years, he explained in replying
to the question. and when our
population goes up, the number of
dependable and sick people in
creases. People must realize that
sick person or a sick child or a
fellow out Of luck is just as bad of
and needs help just as much in
good times as in bad
Reminding that local hospital
needs have reached emergency pro-
portions the chairman recalled that
Informed people are concerned over
the crowded living conditions in
| washington and are fearful that
these may make the danger of an
epidemic this winter a real posi-
bility"
Eight report meetings. including
the one today, are scheduled to be
held between now and the end of
the drive. November q. The others
have been set for tomorrow. Mon
day, Tuesday and Friday next week
November 81. November "a, Novem-
Der Is and November q.
Preparing for the drive, thou
sands of posters bearing the CAM
paign slogan have been distributed
over the city, in windows. stores,
offices, corridors and on lamp posts.
Today more than 5000 Streetcars
and buses appeared with Com
munity Chest flags and posters. and
commercial and special advertise
ments have appeared with remind
ers of this annual effort to help
those who cannot help themselves.
Blue Tags FOR Givers.
Beginning today, a small blue
"giver tag" on red string became
the distinguishing badge of those
who have contributed to the Chest.
The marker bears a design adopted
as the permanent Chest seal, an
incorporation of drawing OF the
Lincoln Memorial with the words
For Humanity" More than 200. 900
Of these are expected to be given
out before the drive ends.
The volunteer workers carrying
on the campaign will give hours of
their time and effort without pay
Community Chest officials explained
and urged that the public be as
considerate as possible.
Meanwhile, General Chairman
Folger expressed sympathy with
local business firms, int hat the
campaign comes at time when
the pressure of increased business
activity has placed volunteer time
(See CHEST, Page A-4D