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

| vi SOStuI NSSuSiSS
| Now bearing the approval of the
Council of Social Agencies, the pro-
posed reorganization Of the Council
and Community Chest into the
United Community Services Of
Washington will 60 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
tons 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 Committee,
had 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 "organizational 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.
Miss Hoey asserted the planners
were trying to bring citizens in "on
the ground floor" of the new organi-
zation 80 they will feel it is their
agency and they will be willing to
support it. financially and through
their backing"
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 80
They necessarily involve conces-
.tsions to aiaunited effort" he de-
clared in his explanation, that in
arriving at mutually agreeable
plan the. committee of the council
and Chest each had to yield some
fpoints sFN1u1i' @fi 80
"It is flexible framework which
has been provided for you to make
of il what you will" Mrs. Lois Par
sons, member of the committee,
told the delegates.
In 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 it's agencies. He cited editorials
from Washington newspapers refer
ring to criticism by citizens and
businessmen's groups OF inclusion OF
certain agencies.
Lee D. Butler, president of the
Chest. explained the only thing
voted on by the planners was
| whether or not a new division Of
welfare activities should be included
in the new organization.
! Agencies Remain for 194s.
IT think all of us felt the ques-
ton of what agencies should be in
cluded in the new program after
this year was a matter for the new
organization to decide" he said.
Agencies now included will remain
during 1948
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.. Ernest w. Griffith. former
president of the council, said. how
ever, provision was made for inclu-
sion of all types of community or
ganization which have a Welfare
Committee or welfare purpose.
" The professional social worker he
added, is represented mot in terms
of an individual agency but more
important terms of planning divi-
sions and committees.
4 DR.. Howard Long, director Of re-
search for Divisions 10 to l3 Of the
public school system, drew applause
when he said he felt it should be
made clear, by amendment or other
wise. that the delegate today, in ap-
proving the proposal, did not at the
same time approve of deleting any
organization.
He said the value of an. organi-
cation and it's status should be de-
termined impartially and by the
, proper authorities, after full review
in the new body.
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