Evening star., 1950-05-24
Replies Awaited
On Fund Drive
Bids
DeIoy in Decisions
On Once-o-Yeor
Campaign Indicated
By jones 6. Deone

Ela1lIlCIS VI uIllIcd AREA IuIlQ
drive may have a long wait be-
tore they get answers from key
independent organizations on
their merger invitation. 1t was
indicated today.
And there is no assurance the
answers will be favorable.
Five big fund-raisers the
Red Cross, American
Society. National Founda-
lion for Infantile Paralysis. WASH
Ington Heart Association and
Metropolitan Police Boys Club
were cited particularly In a
merger plan Endorsed by 80 civic
leaders yesterday.
Frank j. Luchs propoSed-and
the civic group approved--a plan
to unite these and other organ
izations (the big Community
Chest Is one) in once-a-year
fund effort. The LuchS proposal
on business Arms
and the Government. but presum-
ably the one-drive approach
would be adapted to the rest Of
the community as well.
Fall Tryout Urged.
Mr.. Luchs urged that the
be made effective in time
for a tryout this fall.
But except for the Community
Chest. whose leaders are in the
forefront Of the one-drive move
ment. the areas biggest charity
for the most part,
are committed to independence.
Nat c. Wilson, District Chapter
director Of the Red Cross, said
that. under national Red Cross
policies. "it would not be possible
for the District Chapter or any
Red Cross Chapter to join in a
completely concurrent or COM
pletely one-fund campaign" The
question is under study by the
organization, but no new
stand Is possible until a meeting Of
the board Of governors in Detroit
On June IS, he said.
DR.. George C. Rutland, execu-
tive director of the District Divi-
sion, American Cancer Society.
said his society's feeling lis so
keen about the bigness of the
health problem" of cancer that
abandonment Of its policy Of In
dependence is unlikely.
Foundation Policy Cited.
Elwood H. Seal. chairman Of the
District Chapter. National Founda-
tion for Infantile Paralysis, said
policy is generally against
the proposal and added he could
not predict how long q reply would
take.
DR.. Bernard J. Walsh, president
OF the Washington Heart Associa-
tion, did not speak at yesterdays
meeting, although he was present.
Last night he said his Executive
Committee will hold q special
meeting to discuss the plan. His
organization. he said, has neither
a national nor a local policy on
merger. but the local group two
years ago pulled out of the Com
Chest because it wanted
more funds.
The Police Boys Club, which
has no national affiliation. has
long maintained itself independ-
emily. Its president and first vice
president were not in Washington
yesterday or today.
These five organizations raised
a total Of about 1,783 900 in their
last completed fund drives, Mr.
Luchs reported.
Would Add Others.
Besides these, he suggested that
the united fund campaign should
include other smaller but lepit-
innate health and welfare appeals
now IN existence and others az
they are formed"
The head of one such groin
Thomas J. Groom, president ~
the District Society for Crippled
Children easter Seals said last
night he personally approved OF
EFFORTS to unite the various drives
out could not commit the society.
the national society has an estab-
lished policy of non-federation.
While suggesting inclusion OF
that group. Mr.. Luchs said he be-
lleVed the National tuberculosis
Association. which conducts the
Christmas Seal drive, should re-
main Independent.
Mr.. Luchs' plan would limit
participants in the proposed united
to health and welfare
agencies. Specifically excluded
would be religious fund drives.
such as the United Jewish Appeal;
educational drives such as the
United Negro College Fund. and
all capital fund drives. including
those for hospitals, universities
and some Community Chest mem
Der agencies.
Under the Luchs plan, solicita-
tion for all participating organi-
would be conducted sim
ultaneously. with heavy reliance
on payroll deductions rather than
on cash gifts in the hope of OBJ
larger contributions.
Most of those at yesterdays
meeting expressed unqualified
DR.. Henry F. Hubbard, execu-
i've vice chairman Of the Fed
sral Personnel Council, pre-
iicted the merger would provide
more money for participants, save
expense. time and effort, and be
ess confusing and embarrassing
10 employees. 1t would also come
10 the rescue of non-Chest agen-
cies that have met a declining
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