Evening star., 1953-12-15
D ihe Asseeletsd Press

tives OF the National Kids Day
Foundation. saying they are
surprised and shocked'' by ac-
cusations against its fund-rais-
ing methods. promise to answer
testimony given before a New
York legislative committee.
The foundations Executive
COMMITTEES says it has repre-
sentatives en- route here from
California to testify voluntarily
before the committee tomorrow.
A statement by the Founda-
ton Committee says the legis-
lative committees hearings on
the activities of charity organi-
cations and professional fund
raisers apparently have become
q publicity football" The Foun-
dation Committee adds that the
legislative committee chairman,
State Senator Bernard Tomp-
kins, New York City Republican.
made "unwarranted charges be-
fore our representatives arrived
to present the true facts"
Motive Called Good.
Jimmy Fidler, columniSt and
radio commentator, who is preSi-
dent and organizer Of the foun-
dation, said in Hollywood that
the move for the legislative COM
mittee inquiry here is undoubt-
edly good, but he added:
"It seems like they're picking
on us for the purpose Of pub
licity."
A committee accountant said
at yesterdays hearing that the
Kids Day Foundation raised
nearly 81 million from June, 1948,
to June, 1858. but so far has
spent only 100000 promoting
National Kids Day.
The proberS also were told that
Singer Bing CroSby's name was
used without his permission to
promote the National Kids Day
collection: and that Mr.. Fidler,
apparently serving without pay,
was one Of the main organizers
Of the drive.
Employees Are Paid.
Mr.. Fidler later told a news
man the foundation has Mr..
Crosby's permission-''in his own
handwriting''-to use his name
in fund solicitation. Mr.. Fidler
said he and other foundation
officers are not paid, but that
there are paid employees.
The legislative committee
called more witnesses for today
in its investigation of charity
organizations and professional
fund-raisers, both legitimate and
fraudulent.
The committee will make rec
concentrations to the 1854 legis-
lature for legislation to supervise
activities Of groups soliciting
funds in New York State.
Works With Kiwanis Clubs.
Sidney Paymer, counsel to the
legislative committee, testified
the National Kids Day Founda-
ton works with local Kiwanis
Clubs, and he emphasized that
the Kiwanis is worthy organi-
zation which does good work for
children.
The foundation, Mr.. Paymer
added, never gave direct aid, to
any youngster, but referred ap-
plicantS to KiWaniS clubs, which
used their own funds to help.
The Foundation statement,
issued in California, said in part:
"The National Kids Day
Foundation Inc stages the an
nual observance of National
Kids Day in cooperation with
KiwaniS International and the
more than $500 Kiwanis clubs.
A preponderance of the directors
Of the foundation are also off,
GERS or trustees of Kiwanis In
ternational.
"The National Kids Day
Foundation is a charitable cor
poration operating under Federal
and California law. All of it's
affairs are reported regularly to
the Office of the California at
torney general. =.
by contractual agreement the
more than $500 community XII
wants clubs raise funds and
pay special attention to less for
tunate children on National Kids
Day.
"On the five observances of
kids day thus far. the Kiwanis
clubs have raised more than $2.4
million at the local level. All
funds raised in a community
stay in that community and are
spent at the local level to help
children.
Million Entertained.
Over this f1ve-year period more
than 4 million less privileged
children have been entertained.
The foundation has expended ap-
proximately $400.O 900 during this
period providing Kiwanis clubs
with free posters and handbooks
and many other materials used
at the local level as we'll as ma
tional publicity.
These figures mean that pro-
portionately the foundation has
spent less than 20 per cent of
the total figure raised by XII
wants clubs /.
I'VE will match our fund-rais-
Ing record in point of economy
with any national charity sup
ported by public donation re-
ceived through the mails. SINH
larly we will match our low ad-
ministrative cost with less than
Set bNr [1ty RE!