Evening star., 1941-12-30
Chest Sets Up S44,345
Reserve Fund for
District Emergencies
Member Agencies Get
$4,000 Increase for
Yeor Under Budget

Year Under Budget
The Board OF Trustees OF the
Community Chest yesterday adopted
1912 budget that provided about
$4,000 more for member agencies
than last year and which set aside
two reserve funds totaling s44.345 to
meet possible emergencies arising
from war conditions.
The budget was approved at the
boards final meeting Of the year at
the United States Chamber of Com
merce. It was offered by Col. w. Q.
Tufts, chairman OF the Budget Com
mittee.
Two noes were recorded against
the adoption by those who argued
that one of the reserve funds-call-
ing for setting aside Of $34.345 for
possible disaster here-should be dis
tributed among agencies instead.
Charles Fyfe. director of the Boys
Club OF Washington, took the posi-
ton the sum would be too small to
aid effectively in case OF a serious
catastrophe. and he also pointed to
the immediate need of agencies
whose recommended budgets were
not met because of lack Of funds.
Price Advances Considered.
The second fund of $4,000 will be
used to meet possible increases in
prices of food and fuel for the mem
Der agencies.
Coleman Jennings, president OF
the Chest, who presided. pointed out
in the Executive Committees report
that the reserve funds also were
recommended because Of the posi-
biity that the campaign for lS43 and
the collections in 1912 may both
suffer considerably if war continues
and taxes are still further increased.
The adopted budget totaled ST.
872.873e7. Money is supplied to 50
agencies.
Mr.. Jennings also announced that
the Executive Committee had held
that the Chest will be unable to
finance payment of taxes Of member
agencies recently put on the tax list
by the District Commissioners.
Sees Legislation As Remedy.
He said the agencies had protested
to the Commissioners and had asked
for a public hearing but were re-
fused. They we're advised to con-
tinue to seek cancellation Of the
taxes, he said, adding:
"The feeling OF the committee,
however. is that the only real way
to solve the problem is for the united
strength OF the agencies involved
to be brought to bear In an endeavor
to get legislation exempting men,
bers of the Chest from such taxes"
The Board Of Trustees voted to
permit the agencies to conduct q
private solicitation among its friends
for money to meet the taxes. So far,
about 10 agencies which formerly
were not on the real estate tax rolls
have been presented with bills for a
total Of $4,000.
Mr.. Jennings reported that con-
ferences looking toward greater rep
resentation of Government depart
ments and independent establish
ments on the board will be consid-
cred at conferences scheduled for
the near future.
$8.08 Average Pledge.
Herbert L. Willett. jr., director OF
the Chest, brought out in his report
that the average pledge of the recent
successful campaign was $808, COM
pared with $9.03 the previous year
and $10.22 in 1898. Chest pledges
increased IA per cent in total num-
ber, however, he reported.
Mr.. Willett said that 1t is hoped
that Government employees who will
leave the city under the decentrali-
zation plan will continue to meet
their pledges to the Chest here
while new employees coming to
Washington will fulfill their pledges
in the communities from which
they came.
John Clifford Folger, general
campaign chairman, said the cam
paign's success was due to his staff
OF co-workers. The unofficial total
in the drive stands at $20O2 ,937 OF
he said, with still more pledges to
come in.
John r. Reilly, who was unan-
imously reelected treasurer of the
, Chest for his third term, reported
on present finances. Publicity &C.
complishments of the past veal
were summarized by Robert H
Davidson, chairman of public rela.
tions, and John S. Gorrell reported
for the speakers bureau
Mr.. Willett announced that th'
annual meeting of the Chest vii
be held the afternoon of Februar,
II and the new Board of Trustee
named at that meeting will elec
officers at a meeting tentatively Sc
for February "a.