Evening star., 1957-04-30
Civic Leaders
10 Testify on
Charity Racket
Senate Hearing Set
May IS on Bill
To Curb Activities
BY MIRIAM OTTENBERG

ny NAAnAAM OIIEN0El6G
Spokesman for leading busi-
ness and civic groups here are
expected to testify May IS when
q Senate District subcommittee
holds hearings on legislation to
curb the activities of charity
racketeers in Washington.
A Senate District Committee
spokesman said today that a
number Of persons already have
asked to testify and other or
ganization representatives are
expected to request a chance to
appear in behalf Of the House.
passed measure.
The hearing date was an
nounced late yesterday. At the
SAME hearing, the Senate Dis
trict Committees judiciary sub
committee will hear testimony
on the drunken drivers bill"
to require chemical tests for per-
sons involved in auto accidents.
Support Indicated
Members of the subcommittee.
headed by Senator Clark, Demo-
crat of Pennsylvania, have al
ready indicated their support for
the charity measure.
Senator Clark said The Star
had made a "prima facie case"
for the legislation in the March
81 article detailing the activities
of the charity racketeers who
siphon an estimated $500. 900 an
lnually into questionable appeals.
Senator Javits. Republican of
New York, said such a measure
had been found necessary in
New York and should be adopted
here to safeguard open-hearted
citizens.
The third subcommittee men,
Der. Senator Bible. Democrat of
Nevada, said a similar measure
in Reno. New. had gone a long
way toward curbing these
abuses"
LinOwes Gratified
| David Linowes. who headed the
citizens committee drafting the
anti-racket measure, today ex-
pressed his gratitude to the legis.
llators for giving the bill prompt
consideration.
"The sooner this bill passes"
Mr.. Linowes said. "the sooner
the take Of the racketeers will
be channeled into wholesome en-
deavors and much-needed help
for nnfortunates. Instead of per-.
haps Is cents of the contribu-
tors dollar actually going to
charity IS cents or more win GO"
He said the measure will be
a great boon to business houses
now pestered continually by pro-
moters of charity rackets.
The main object of the meas
ure is full and fair disclosure
of how funds are to be raised
by a soliciting organization. who
| is doing the soliciting and where
the gifts go.
| All fund-raising for charity.
except solicitations solely among
| the membership Of the agency
or solely for religious purposes.
must be reported to the Com
missioners.
All telephone solicitations by
paid solicitors would be banned.
Endorsed by Many
| Along with Endorsements from
major civic. professional, welfare.
business. religious and veterans
organizations, locally, the bill
has the support of the American
Red Cross. That agency. how
ever. told the Senate District
Committee that it does not con-
slider it necessary or desirable to
make the measure applicable to
the American Red Cross because
lit is already under Federal SUI
Ipervision.
| A committee spokesman said
among the representatives of
major organizations expected to
testify in behalf OF the bill are
the Federation of Citizens Asso-
Citations. United Community
Services. Washington Board of
Trade. Better Business Bureau
and the committee which draft
ed the measure.