Evening star., 1947-10-01
Interim Unit Proposed
To Combine Functions
OF Chest and Council.


new organization to combine func-
tions of the Washington Community
Chest and the. Council of Social
Agencies take the initial form Of
an interim body was heard YES
terday at meeting of the Chests
Board of Trustees.
The possibility was advanced by
Frank r. Jelleff at the end Of a
two-hour discussion of the merger
proposal at the United States
Chamber of Commerce Building,
1915. T street NV. .,
Under such plan, Mr.. Jelleff
pointed out, issues, including the
much discussed one of suitable
name for the new organization
could be worked out during the
experimental period
Review Previously Proposed.
A previous suggestion had been
that since the move was "revolu-
tionary" it should be subject to a
review after a two or three year
period
H. L. Rust, jr., said he felt the
reorganization plan was not "rev-
olutionary," but revolutionary"
Mrs. Catharlne Norton, acting
executive secretary of the Council,
agreed there should be trial period,
because we're not sure of all the
circumstances out of which this
has arisen"
She pointed out that both organi-
cations were experiencing time of
community pressures" and "self
analysis"
It was decided at the meeting
that a committee should be ap-
pointed to present recommendations
on the merger plan from the various
Chest agency representatives at the
time of final consideration. A SINH
lar committee is to be appointed
from the delegate body of the
Council.
Vote Expected This Month.
Final vote on the proposal is ex-
pected later this month by both
organizations.
During discussion OF a name
for the proposed new organization
which began, when Albert Atwood
suggested that a more euphonious
name" than Chest Council be con-
.sidered, Mrs. Norton emphasized her
belief the word planning" should
be incorporated in the title to de-
note the purpose of the organization
Edward j. Keyes, executive direc-
tor of the Chest Federation, and
Lee D. Butler, president of the
Washington Chest who presided at
the meeting, pointed out the value
of retaining the word Chest" IN
the title because of its established
connotation.
Henry Beitscher, president Of the
Washington Industrial Union Coun-
Gil (CIO), raised an objection to
the emphasis on the advisory role
set forth in the proposal for the
professional social worker, rather
than on his voting capacity on the
Board Of Trustees.
Status Questioned.
Mr.. Beitscher asked whether pro-
fessional workers were to be "re-
stricted to a special undcrprivil-
iged category" or relegated to the
role of "second-class citizens" as a
form Of yielding to criticism OF the
Washington Chest, whici, followed
the social survey report.
Mrs. Milton w. King OF the Joint
Committee of the Chest and Coun-
Gil said the reorganization move
ment would have come with or with
out the controversy over the survey
report.
Mr.. Butler said q great need was
felt to place responsibility on lay
citizens.
In tan opening talk DR.. Ernest
Griffith, president of the Council
declared he believed the re-organ-
ization proposal retained the hest
features Of the present setup for
community planning, with a re-
emphasis on lay responsibility with
guidance by the professional social
worker.
II look for the planning function
to be much more dynamic and, on
the other hand, much more real
| iStic =" he said