Evening star., 1949-11-06

showing up in the reports of larger
business firms, and leaders regard
this as hopeful sign. But this
has not yet made enough differ
ence in the money totals to war;
rant predictions. Mr.. Luchs said
1t is not new or bigger gifts
that have made possible the cam
|paign's early progress, but the
speedup accomplished by an eff
Icient campaign organization, ac-
cording to responsible leaders.
Chairman Luchs. aided by q
planning group of 100 younger
businessmen. began organizing last
May. About 10000 solicitors have
been recruited. and observers have
been impressed by the unusual
spirit Of the soliciting organiza-
ton.
The campaign also has had the
benefit Of a special study of its
business solicitation made by a
committee headed by Hugh K
Duff1eld. which resulted in plans
for an improved approach to this
ma jor source of support-a source
the planners said has never been
fully tapped.
Big Firms Speed Reports.
An example of the remarkable
speedup in the drive Is the per-
formance Of group of Washing
tons largest business firms
Chairman Luchs asked 1874 firms
to complete employe solicitation
and turn in their firm gifts by last
weeks opening report meeting
Eighty-flve of these firms made
reports, IS Of them complete
More are expected to come in this
week. The group as a whole has
produced over $685., 900 and should
contribute at least $3.50, 900 more
But these comparatively few
"bellwether" Arms are the main
stays Of the Chests business unit
every year. They have come in
earlier. but they would have come
in anyway, Chairman Luchs en-
phasized. They aren't new givers
and so far they haven't indicated
they will produce much new
money. About so of them are still
an unknown quantity - they
haven't reported yet at all.
Business l. the big-business
unit-has ATS firms to cover. al
with is or more employees. So far
only 382 Of these have made re.
turns, leaving 1.796 to go. What
they i1i produce. no sone ye,
know The units quota of ST.
467 .218snow stands at S. per cent
BY far. the biggest untappet
business group Is the smaller
firms-those with fewer than II
employees. Chest leaders estimate
$4,000 such firms have 10000 po.
tential contributors, yet the unit
obtained only $500 gifts last year
At last report, out Of quota o1
S241.781 it had reached 26 pc,
cent.
Small Business Is Problem.
Small firms, spread all over the
city. constitute one of the Chests
biggest solicitation headaches
Chairman Luchs last night ap.
pealed to all the areas business
men to see solicitors promptly
when they seek interviews, II
order to enable them to cover
more territory.
Through this cooperation
business leaders can shorten ~the
campaign and strengthen the
morale Of the workers" Mr.. Luchs
declared.
The least problem to campaign
leaders is the Government divi.
sion, which already has reached
SO per cent Of the largest quota ot
the drive-$1.585,411. A Govern
ment office, the Nays Bureau oi
Aeronautics, went over the tor
before the drive even opened OH
cially, and the entire Navy and
Army Departments topped 10o
per cent last Wednesday. The
Government as q whole made the
best record in last years drive
96 per cent Of quota.
In terms Of the number Of con-
tributors. the current drive still
has less than half the total II
needs. according to Mr.. Luchs
The $2,oo3,187 subscribed to date
represents 185,769 donors. Mr.