Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-31
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Federal laws, simply changed his
charity appeal. He's still operat-
ing.
A charity society" admitted
receiving more than $4,000 in
one year. OF that sum, less than
$4,000 was listed as actually be-
ing for charity. But most of the
groceries, clothing. shoes and
toys included in the $4,000 were
donated goods from generous
merchants. What happened to
the money itself? There's now
no way of telling.
Embassies Big Target
The governmental and diplo-
matte activities unique to Wash
ington make the Nations Capital
a happy-hunting ground for the
charity racketeers.
The embassies are a particu-
lar target. The telephone solicit
tor for a high-sounding, but
phony, outfit with veterans" in
its title will inform the embassy:
Our boys died for your coun-
try"
A contribution is Immediately
forthcoming.
Many of the large manufac-
turers maintain Washington Of
fees doing business with the
Government. These Washington
representatives, unfamiliar with
legitimate local charities. fearful
of bad public relations. and re-
luctant to take the time to
investigate all Embarrassing APP
peals. are natural targets for
the smooth-talking telephone
con men.
Residents Contribute Most
But the largest part of the
take comes in 81 and S. bills
from the longtime residents
who are proud of their town and
can't resist appeals for less for
tunate fellow-residents.
Once they get on a Sucker
list" they often are called to
contribute to the same charity"
four or five times in the same
year. If they finally refuse, they
may be subjected to a stream of
invective and abuse that prompts
them to complain to city off,
Gals. The complaints come in
regularly. Nothing can be done
about them.
This is the background of the
present move to get law that
will protect Washington givers
against the charity racketeers.
The bill. requested by the Com
missioners last week was APP
proved by the House District
Committees Judiciary Subcom-
mittee, headed by Representative
Abernethy. Democrat Of Missis-
sippi.
The bills purpose is to pro-
vide full and fair disclosure of
the character of charitable, be-
nevolent, patriotic or other So
licitations in the District of
Columbia"
The legislation was drafted by
the Committee for Regulating
Charitable Solicitations group
of private citizens determined to
end charity racketeering. Al
though there have been previous
attempts to get legislation, this
is the first time every element
in the community has got to-
gether behind the measure.
Many Groups Back Bill
David F. Linowes. a certified
public accountant who heads the
committee. said the measure has
the unanimous approval of the
following groups either through
their representation On the COM
mittee or through actions Of their
boards:
The Washington Board of
Trade. Better Business Bureau.
United Community Services.
Jewish Community Council,
Washington Federation of
Churches. Catholic Charities,
District Bar Association. District
Medical Society. Federation Of
Citizens Associations, Federation
of Civic Associations. American
Legion. Veterans Service Center.
Columbia Polytechnic Institute
for the Blind, American Associ-
alton of Workers for the Blind.
Gold Star Sons and Daughters
of the United States.
Mr.. Linowes said the measure
has two particular targets:
/. The racketeers who set up
q charity and solicit in the name
Of that organization. The boys
club for which they solicit may
be Just an empty store rented
on a months lease. The home
for the aged may require its few
residents to pay more than
enough themselves for their
keep. The feeding of needy chill
dren may be a once-a-year event.
But they're in business and the
money rolls in.
2. The racketeers who pick
out a respectable organization
as front and offer to put on a
dance or boat ride for the
group. The racketeers guarantee
the organization will clear a
profit of perhaps $500. Then, the
promoter puts a battery of solic-
itors to work on the entire COM
munity. The respectable organ
ization gets its $500. but the
racketeer moves out with $1,000.
Boon to Legitimate Group
The theory behind the pending
legislation. following the trend
Of laws in other cities and States.
is that If the public is fully in
formed Of all the facts concern
ing Embarrassing operation. the
phony outfits will wither and die
for lack of public support and
the worthwhile groups will
thrive.
The bill exempts persons and
organizations soliciting solely for