Evening star., 1941-11-22
Spurt 70 Pass
Halfway Mark
In Chest Urged
WiIIett Sees Sign Of
Needed Momentum
In Largest Single Day

A weekend squirt that will carry
the Community Chest fund we'll
past the halfway mark and give
renewed hope that the goal of
100000 will be reached by the
end of the campaign period Thurs
day was called for yesterday by
Chest Director Herbert L. Willett,
jr., after group reports had increased
the total to 1901 ,428.97, or 4507 per
cent of quota.
Yesterdays total. $277,43414, was
the largest for any single day. The
director said it exceeded daily fig
ures of at least two preceding cam
paigns and that, from all appear
ances. this years drive at last had
been given the momentum it needed.
The luncheon at which the last
totals were compiled was the fifth of
the two-week campaign. Charles
Phelps Taft. assistant tdirector of
the Office of Defense Health and
Welfare Services, Federal Security
Agency, and vice chairman of Mob
ilization for Human Needs, was the
principal speaker.
More Individuals Give.
While the 1892 new pledges add
ed raised the individual gifts to "a
875 more than 1000 ahead of those
for the same period last year. con-
tributions remained nearly per
cent behind the 1910 comparative
figure. The money total at this
stage OF the preceding drive was
s997, 1892, shade under the half
way mark.
Two of the four campaign groups
have totals at present which exceed
the average for the current drive.
These are the Group Solicitation
Unit, with 4623 per cent, and the
Metropolitan Unit, with 47.19 per
cent of quota.
The Group Solicitation Unit yes
terday turned in 5446 new pledges
representing s72,906el. for a grand
total Of 14,158 pledges and s3l4,-
052 08 out of goal of s678 900.
With a quota of $4,000. the
Metropolitan Unit reported l,757
new gifts, totaling s60.904 These
additions swelled the groups COM
plete results to 6.952 individual con.
tributions and sl93 ,486.
/ Government Group, 1890.
/ Both of the two other groups were
( within about per cent of the cam
/ paign average. The Federal Gov
ernment Unit. largest Of the four
advanced to 1882 per cent of 1t.
! 1888 900 quota. It reported 1929
new givers, increasing its grano
total to So, ,406. and added Sl25 .637 81
in promised contributions to carry
its gifts to date to 1868 ,043 "a.
The District Government Uni
brought in 1896 pledges and ST..
1858. It's grand totals now stanc
at 4.359 givers and $3l ,846.69. for q
percentage of 1903
In his talk to the gathering oi
more than 700 volunteer workers
Mr.. Taft told them that people who
work with the Community Ches
exercise privileges of local citizen.
ship" He said the idea that Chest
funds are merely a 'handout," tha
they are meant for people who can.
not help themselves, is too generally
felt.
The Community Chest work goe,
| far beyond those who are sick Of
ill.," he declared. I'VE must have tn,
type of social services it makes pos.
slble and which is something &
Government can't provide. Our pri
vate health agencies. for instance
are the ones that are CONSTANT,
sticking pin in the public health
agencies. that are making expert
ments the public agencies neve
make"
A Constructive Program"
The speaker cited the venerea
disease bill passed by Congress ant
said its adoption was due largely t,
the influence of private agencies.
Community Chest work isn't
question of a handout. but a ques
ton Of constructive program h
asserted
Mr.. Taft said the constructiv
misunderstanding effort of tn
Community Chest is more importan
in times like the present than a
any other period.
You're providing something n
Government can provide he con
cluded. You're giving a self-start
! ing. constructive program. Your
helping to solve the social problem