Evening star., 1948-02-17
Merger Plan Up
For Chest Board
Decision FRIDAY
Compromise Proposal
Approved by Council
Of Social Agencies

NOW bearing the approval OF ttTe
Council of Social Agencies, the pro-
posed reorganization Of the Council
and Community Chest into the
United Community Services Of
Washington will go before the
Chest Board Of Trustees Friday for
final decision.
The proposal received a unani-
nous vote of approval by the dele-
gate body of the council yesterday
at meeting in the YWCA, Seven
teenth and K streets NV.
The delegate body is made up OF
representatives from the agencies
included under the council.
A favorable decision by the Chest
trustees when they meet at 4 pm.
Friday in the United States Chamber
of Commerce Building would be the
final step before appointment of an
interim committee to begin putting
the plan in operation.
Would Combine Functions.
Under the proposal, the functions
of the two present organizations
would be- combined in one body.
seeking the cooperative effort of
public health and welfare agencies.
community organizations and the
general public in meeting Washing
toms welfare needs.
The interim committee would con-
sist of IA members. seven each ap-
pointed by the council and the
Chest. 1t would have authority to
act until the Executive COMMITTEES
mad been constituted, except as the
new Board of Trustees might other
wise direct.
Miss Jane Hoey, acting president
OF the council, explained the main
purpose OF the interim committee
would be "organizatiopal and not
administrative" She said the pres
ent functions of the Chest and
council would continue to be ad-
ministered by the existing organiza-
tions, up to the point where the new
agency is ready to function for itself.
Compromises Effected.
Edward G. Kemp, chairman of
the delegate body's committee on
the proposed reorganization, said
he realized certain features of the
new plan may be disappointing to
some of our members" but that
compromises are never entirely
satisfactory"
They necessarily involve conces-
Sions to united effort" he de-
clared in his explanation that in
arriving at a mutually agreeable
plan the committee Of the council
and Chest each had to yield some
points.
SIN, the discussion preceding the
vote Sidney Maslen. director OF the
Washington Housing Association,
sought assurance that there was no
intent in the planning OF the new
body to purge" the Chest of any
Of its agencies.
Lee D. Butler, president OF the
Chest, explained that all Of us felt
the question Of what agencies should
be included in the new program
after this year was a matter for the
new organization to decide"
Agencies now included will remain
during 194s
Motion to approve the proposal
came from Mr.. Maslen, although
he said he disapproved Of some
features, including what he saw as
the possibility of complete domina-
ton by business interests" and the
elimination of professionals from
the board"
DR.. Howard Long, director OF re-
search for Divisions 10 to 13 OF the
public school system, drew applause
when he said he felt 1t should be
made clear. by amendment or other
wise. that the delegate body, in ap-
proving the proposal, did not at the
same time approve of deleting any
organization.