Evening star., 1950-03-09
Chest Protests
SeparateDriives,
Asks Merger
Meeting Of Civic
Leaders Proposed to
Prevent Breakdown

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Washington has too many fund
drives and has asked civic leaders
to do something about it.
The Chest-founded to merge
many competing drives-yester-
day urged an area-Wide civic
meeting to consider creating an
even bigger united community
fund. Suggesting itself as the
nucleus, it declared an open
door policy on new members.
The action was taken at the
Community Chest Federation's
annual meeting. 1t was urged not
only by Chest President Chauncey
B. Parker and other leaders, but
also by Labor Secretary Tobin,
who revealed current fund drives
are giving the Government worry.
Secretary Tobin said Govern
ment agencies in recent weeks
have been organized for seven diff
ferent fund drives, apart from the
Chest.
One-Drive Plan Suggested.
AS a result one cabinet officer
suggested imposing a one-drive
system for all Government solici-
tation. Mr.. Tobin revealed. The
Labor Secretary predicted this
would come to pass unless some
thing is done"
Mr.. Tobin, who headed the re-
cent Chest drive in the Govern
ment, personally seconded a mo-
ton urging civic action. He
pointed out the number of fund
drives now is a problem in most
parts of the country. A decision
by citizens here probably would
have its effect on other Chests
throughout the country" he pre-
dicted.
1T might be possible" Mr.. Tobin
said. Ito get the national commu-
nifty fund organization to meet
with other national organizations
to bring them in"
The Community Chest Fedora
ton now raises funds for 100
health, welfare and recreation
agencies in Washington and five
nearby communities. 1t conducts
the areas biggest drive. It's recent
1850 drive, however, fell more
than 100000 short of 1891 900
goal.
Other Major Drives.
Among major charitable organ
izations raising funds outside the
Chest are the Red Cross, American
Cancer Society, American Heart
Association, National Foundation
for .Infantile Paralysis, National
tuberculosis Association, National
Society for Crippled Children and
Adults and Metropolitan Police
Boys Club. Numerous other fund
efforts also are conducted here.
Mr.. Parker devoted a large part
Of his annual report to the prob
lem yesterday. He said competing
drives have brought a near
chaotic condition" which is q
real problem" for the Chest and
for all six area communities where
it raises funds.
Frank j. Luchs, chairman of the
recent Chest drive, proposed the
resolution, approved unanimously,
in which the Chest Federation
urged that interested citizens"
call a meeting of business, Gov
ernment, labor and community
organization leaders to consider a
bigger united fund drive.
Federation May Act.
The federation said it will call
the meeting itself if no one else
does within 80 days.
Asked whether the proposal
would mean the Chest might en-
brace the Red Cross, tuberculosis
Association and other now-inde-
pendent fund drives, Mr.. Luchs
replied that it could" but that
this would be determined at the
community meeting.
Mr.. Luchs said it was hoped the
Board of Trade or a similar group
might sponsor the meeting. John
A. Reilly, Chest treasurer, reported
the trade body's directors already
have discussed the problem.
Mr.. Parker, in his report, warned
that citizens who had believed the
Chest was supposed to include all
appeals now are beginning to
regard it as "just another separate
campaign, instead of united CO.
operative effort of 100 agencies"
Mr.. Parker made another pro-
posal for development of an area
wide Community Welfare Council
Federation, to be responsible for
the planning of health and welfare
services. While Chest funds now
are raised in an area-wide drive,
they are administered through six
separate area organizations, he
pointed out.
May Tighten Eligibility.
The Chest president indicated
the failure of the 1850 Chest drive
to achieve its goal may necessi-
tate frightened eligibility criteria
for hospital and medical care"
provided through the Hospital
Service Agency.
Secretary Tobin was awarded
a RED Feather Oscar" by Mr..
Luchs for his leadership of the
Governments part in the recent
Chest drive. He is the first cab
met officer to lead the unit.
Another Chest honor, the Or
der of the Red Feather, was be-
slowed on group of top leaders.
Receiving the award for the Sec
ond time were Frank r. Jelleff,
president of United Community
Services; Edgar F. Czarra, presi-
dent of the Prince Georges Com
munity Chest and Planning
Council: Lawrence Michael, Ar
lington campaign chairman, and
Mr.. Parker.
New recipients were Wilbur D.
Tubs, Arlington Chest president.