Evening star., 1949-10-12
Government Workers
ORGANIZE Chest Drive;
1,500 Hear Tobin
By Jones 6. Deone

Full-SCdle SOllClCdLlOQ OF IOV.
ernment workers in the Commun-
ity Chest drive was being organ
lied today. with leaders hoping
for at least days take-home pay
from every employe.
More than 1900 key solicitors
crowded into the Departmental
Auditorium to hear opening pep
talks yesterday by, Labor Secre-
tary Tobin, Undersecretary of the
Interior Chapman and other lead
ers.
Before going back to complete
organization Of their Office units,
they also heard two rank-and-
file workers give personal reasons
for helping the Chest with their
own labor as well as contributions
Miss Karen Kristiansen, o.
clerk-typist in the Vet
erans' Administration, said she
felt people should have the
Christmas feeling" the year
around. Miss Kristiansen lives at
1915 F street NV.
Tobin Notes Duty.
Ralph j. De La Vergne, %, OF
l39 Thirteenth street NE, an at
torney for the Agriculture Depart
ment, told how a Chest agency
the Instructive Visiting Nurse So
ciety, helped care for his dying
mother and made light" her last
year when the medical bills were
too great to be borne alone.
Chest officials plan to feature
personal appearances by persons
aided by the Chest at campaign
rallies this year.
Secretary Tobin, the first cab
met officer to lead the Govern
ment's Chest effort, said con-
tributing to the Chest Is the
duty" of all citizens.
Citizens are responsible for the
well-being of all the people in
the community" he declared. He
added:
IF there is a city in America
that desperately needs the services
rendered by the agencies Of the
Chest, that city is Washington"
Chest for Every One.
Mr.. Chapman said the Chest
campaign gives people a chance
to express "neighborliness."
"The Chest is not an organiza-
ton for poor people," he added.
1T is an organization for every
person in America"
The Interior Department Off
cial also said he believes in sup
porting the Chest as "the area in
Washington that has the least
conflict in the sense of religion
or race"
Drive Chairman Frank j. Luchs
called the campaign "the greatest
community project Of any year."
Hardly any one in the COM
is without direct benefit
from the Chest" he declared.
Goal Is Called Minimum"
Citing the years $3,991,719 goal
as the minimum" necessary for
the Metropolitan Areas 102 Chest
agencies, the drive leader called
for a REORGANIZATION of our con-
tributions of other years in the
light of our civic responsibility"
The least donation. he said,
should be a days pay. Those
making $4,000 or more should give
at least l per cent of that, he
said.
What you give is a matter OF
your own conscience" he de-
clared, "but those in good health
should be able to devote one days
work to help those who are less
fortunate"
Chest Director Edward j. Keyes
urged the solicitors to obtain
pledge cards rather than cash
donations. More than 5000 key
men have been recruited through
out the Government, he said.
Mr.. Tobin announced that two
new Offices have obtained more
than 100 per cent in advance
campaigning. These are the Ten
nessee Valley Authority and the
Federal Crop Insurance Corp. The
Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics al
ready had reported more than Its
ollota.