Evening star., 1947-01-16
Business Federation
y
Backs Chest Probe
To Clear. Up Record

The Federation of Businessmen S
Associations last night joined with
Southeast businessmen in asking
for study of Community Chest &C
tivities.
The action grew out of demand
made earlier this week by the
Southeast Businessmen's Associa-
ton for a thorough investigation"
of the Chest and complete audit
of It's books. The Federation made
it clear, however, that last night S
action was aimed at helping the
Chest clear up any misunderstand-
ing of its activities rather than hint
ing at unorthodox activities.
"Our only interest in the matter
is getting rid of some member agen-
cies that we might, find are not
charitable" j. M. Heiser, president
emphasized.
Louis Prick of the Southeast As
sociation, who introduced the reso-
luton of calling for the inquiry,
said he felt the business men would
be doing themselves and tine city a
favor to look into the Chest.
Names Certain Groups.
"It is not my idea to condemn the
Chest, but rather to put it on a
basis where all the public can ap-
prove of it," Mr.. Frick added. He
said many people felt the Chest
had gone far afiield" of its original
functions. He listed salaries paid to
officials of the Council of Social
Agencies, War Housing Association
and Washington Urban League to
show how much money was spent
on these agencies.
"And we're not even suref they
are really charity groups" he said
Some dissenting delegates came
to the defense of the Chest. For
mer Federation President William
A. Mileham said he felt the South
east attack had done a great deal
Of irreparable damage" and moved
that the whole matter be tabled.
Theodore Grape of the Connect
cut Avenue Association said he felt
the method of attack" was wrong
Its easy to criticize" he said
Maybe the Chest is doing its best. .
Delegates adopted Mr.. Frick's pro-
posal for an inquiry after the move
to table was voted down.
Mr.. Heiser said he would write
the Community Chest Federation
and inform it of the action taken
II the Chest group agrees to CO.
operate with the businessmen s
federation in looking into COM
plants, Mr.. Heiser said he would
name a special committee for the
study.
Liquor Hour Hearing Asked.
The federation voted to request
public hearing before any change
is made insbusiness hours for liquor
dealers. Jerome B. Mckee Of the
District Retail Liquor Dealers AS
sociation said he understood the
Commissioners plan to authorize a
return to preWar hours OF am.
to midnight every day but Sunday,
instead OF the present 10 am. to
9 pm. hours.
He said the dealers he represented
were opposed to this change and
wanted chance to be heard.
A proposal for the District to
take over operation of st. Eliza
beths Hospital from the Federal
Government was unanimously op-
posed. It was brought out this
would mean additional expense to
Washington taxpayers and might
result in less efficiency at the hos
lpital.
The federation recommended the
$450-a-year pay raise granted last
year to District public school teach
ers be made permanent before 1t
expires July l. A copy Of this reso-
luton is to be sent the Board OF
Education.
The federation met in the board
room of the American Security &
! Trust Co. Building. >
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