Evening star., 1944-10-15
Humane Appeal

To comprehend the meaning Of
the Community War Fund appeal it
is necessary TO think Of 1t in rela-
ton to the battle areas In which
American youth Is 11ghting for
a free tomorrow. The campaign
which opens today is the home
front" aspect OF the war. AS never
before, the residents of the District
of Columbia and nearby Maryland
and Virginia are asked to cooper
ate to one single all-embracing So
cial purpose great manifestation
of the natural human instinct OF
those who dwell at the very heart
of American civilization.
OF course, there are other ways
in which money might be solicited,
collected and spent. The reason
why nearly one hundred and fifty
different agencies have joined in the
Fund endeavor is simple and plain.
If each separate organization or in
stitution were to stage its own par
ticular drive, the total cost Of the
whole aggregate enterprise would be
staggering expense. The saving
achieved by pooling" all the con-
stituent divisions of the Fund Is
substantial, running into many
thousands of dollars. It likewise Is
evident that much valuable time
is saved. The cooperative method
is efficient, democratic and as truly
impartial as any corporate under
taking possibly could be.
1t is natural, of course, that war
agencies should lead the list Of Fund
units. The National United Service
Organizations, with eighteen clubs
in or near Washington; the War
Prisoners Aid, the United Searl1en's
Service, the War Hospitality Com
mittee and Recreation Services,
Inc; the National Catholic Service
mems Club and the Defense Commits
sion Of the Washington Federation
of Churches will share in the distri-
button of the money collected-cash
without which they could not func-
ton very long. Equally important
is the need of the United Nations
War Relief, including branches aid
ing IN the areas already liberated
and potentially in the occupied
countries to which freedom, it con-
fidently is hoped, soon will come.
Contributions appropriated to mer-
ciful succor of the homeless "by-
ISLANDERS" of the European conflict
require no special explanation.
Meanwhile, the ordinary but vital
social and educational agencies of
purely local purpose must be main
tanned in practical day-to-day op-
GRAFTON. The Community Chest or
ganizations of Arlington, Fairfax
County and Montgomery County are
imperative to the welfare of the
neighborhoods indicated. And a
glance over the wartime phenomena
OF the city Of Washington will suf-
flee to convince any intelligent in
dividual that the homes for chill
dren and for the aged, the agencies
concerning themselves with the
crippled, the blind, the deaf, the
mentally distressed and bewildered-
these facilities of humane fellow
ship are not luxuries.
Most readers of The Star know
all that here is set forth about the
Community War Fund. Year after
year, the same simple facts, the
same self-evident logic concerning
them and the same invitation to
join in the campaign have been
printed in this space. The differ
ence in 1914 is a difference in the
world at large. What men and boys
are dying for in Europe and in the
Orient is being tested here at home.
Is there anybody 50 lacking in pa
triotism and sympathy as to wish
to pass by on the other side"? No,
the answer Is unanimous. This
effort must be a triumphant af-
f1rmation Of the essential character
of generous metropolitan public
people Of every creed, class and con-
dition Of life who are not letting
their fellow-creatures down.