Evening star., 1948-06-23
Public Support
Urged as UCS
Board Is Named
lao Representatives
Of Community Groups
And Agencies Chosen

lenge today TO see that the ClCy 5
health and welfare needs are met
through the new United Community
Services, now vested with board Of
trustees widely representative OF the
community.
The UCS general assembly, hold
ing It's first meeting yesterday in
the Commerce Department Auditor
Ium, elected more than 140 repre-
sentatives Of community organiza-
tions, operating agencies and the
public to the board.
The new board will replace the
boards of the Washington Commun- :
ity Chest and the Council OF Social
Agencies, whose functions the UCS
will take over.
People Urged to Participate.
Heads of both the Chest and
Council expressed their approval OF
the new central welfare organization
Yesterday and urged that the people
of washington participate in 1t.
Miss Jane M. Hoey, acting presi-
dent of the Council. termed it a
channel through which the citizens
OF the community can express their
opinions and learn what they can
do" to make sure that health ana
welfare needs here are met.
"1t seems to us very important
that this new program have the
enthusiastic support, not only OF the
.xscutives and staff members of the
agencies. but of their boards ana OF
citizens who previously have not
known much about the work into
which they are now being asked 10
step" she declared.
Lee D. Butler, president OF 1ne
Chest, asserted that, II enough OF
the people of Washington Will JOIN
in and do their part, the new plan
will be a successful one, and UCS
will 20 far to relieve suffering and
want in Washington.
Better Understanding Seen.
A better public understanding OF
agency expenditures and conse-
ouently a greater support OF the
annual Community Chest Federatlon
drive for funds was foreseen by
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury
Edward H. Foley, general chairman
of the drive last year.
The UCS will assume the place OF
the Washington Chest In the feder-
alton drive to raise funds each year
for the Red Feather agencies sup
ported by the Chest.
I'VE are launching an organlza-
ton which binds together all classes
and types of citizens in one big
common effort to administer to the
health and welfare needs OF our
community" the Right Rev. Msgr.
John j Russell. director OF Catholic
Charities, said.
, Time and experience will improve
It. but as 1t stands today, we can
suppose that 1T win be accepeaoie
to the entire community because 1t
is both the community's handiwork
and its instrument"
Calls Effort "Sincere."
Mrs. Henry Gichner, vice chair
man of the Interim Committee
created by the Chest and Council
to organize UCS, called the new plan
"a sincere effort to create the most
satisfactory organization for bring
ing together the best lay and pro-
fessional leadership in the COM
munity."
She said that, in the past, the
city has had many unintormed ana
misinformed citizens" With more
people taking an interest, having a
say and being exposed to the ques-
tions and answers of welfare, UCS
will really be the community" she
asserted.
Col. Campbell johnson, Interim
Committee member. read message
from William J. McManus, Interim
Committee chairman, who was Ill
and unable to attend.
Il Outlining the committees three
months OF work, he explained that
much of the time was spent in CIV
ing q clear picture of the organiza-
4 ton to every agency and clty-Wioe
group with q social welfare interest.
4 For the general assembly. he said,
1--WE did not want merely the names
of two people from each organiza-
ton so we could draw up an
impressive list OF sponsors or
endorsers."
iti,i. I'VE wanted and had to have the
understanding interest and backing
.of the governing bodies and mem
bership of each organization, which
would be transmitted into the new
plan through the active service OF
two OF their members on the general
assembly and one on the Board OF
Trustees" he declared.
T Broad Representative Body.
4. Yesterdays meeting, he went on
did not represent the ultimate goal
\ In community participation, but did
comprise "the most broadly repre-
sentative body that has ever met
IN our city with ofacial responsible
4 itv for considering the total health
and welfare of the Washington
community"
,N He pointed out the stake Of the
Washington Chest-supported agen'
,cies in the fall campaign of the
federation is the responsibility OF
UCS. The two evident problems
IRE the determination Of which
lagencies should receive 194s Chest
funds, and the consideration Of thu
!. minimum budget needs OF the
agencies, he added.
It'll Since these plans must be com
pleted by the third week In July.
budget committee and 3 Ches
I',agency research committee wer'
established to get preliminary worl
under way, he explained. Th'
Board of Trustees will take actor
iton these matters.
ilt Mr.. McManus, as well as yester
t;iday's speakers, praised the effort
N,0f the members of the Interim Com
,ismittee and subcommittee for thei
lIsork In laying the structure OF tn
TCS.
,aH Those elected to the Board o
Trustees included:
Hsf Everett A. Crais. Allied Printing Trade
{f,ouncil; Mrs. Hester G. StoN, America
Association Of Medical Social Workerl
Washington Group; Evan Clasue, Amer
''iasan Association OF Social WORKERS: ", :