Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24
continued From First PAGE


paigns in other cities.
I'm not suggesting for a
minute that UGF has been on
the wrong tack or that we
ought to change our ways"
Mr.. Grayson says. But it's my
job to present the board of di-
rectors with every possible al
tentative for their considera-
ton" Some Of Mr.. Grayson's
alternatives are fairly revolu-
tionary.
Before they plan for next
year, however, the UGF COM
mittees must consider this
year.
Had Dual Purpose
The United Givers Fund was
formed-like united funds in a
thousand other American cities
with a double purpose: To
emerge the money appeals OF as
sinany charitable agencies as
possible and to solicit contribu-
9tions from as many sources as
possible to support these agen-
acies.
To begin with, it enrolled the
110 Community Chest agencies.
the six American Red Cross
chapters an the area and a
dozen smaller agencies. These
groups had raised a total of
Sc million the year before, so
UGF added 10 per cent to that
figure and went out and col
lected that amount for its
agencies.
This year. for its second
campaign. the UGF repre-
sented 140 agencies and posted
a target of 81 million. The sum
was 100000 more than the
year before. but still 10000
shy of what the agencies said
they needed to do their Jobs.
The campaign opened in the
middle of September with some
$4,000 volunteer solicitors on
the job in Offices. in plants and
on the street ringing doorbells.
They were told to finish their
collections in six weeks.
The six weeks were up Octo-
Der 81 and the goal was still far
distant. Successive extensions
moved the deadline up to next
Tuesday.
What has gone wrong? At
this time last year UGF had re-
ceived 445.000 gifts. This year
417,589 have come in. Last year
the average gift was $14.50.
This year it is $14.39. Last year
at this time $685. 66 had been
collected. Next Tuesday may
bring current collections to
$6,200,000.
Campaign leaders assign sew
eral reasons for the slump.
Overriding everything else. they
say, has been the climate of
giving" BY this they mean
businessmen's fear of a recess
sion, a falling stock market.
everybody's concern with other
problems such as the rising cost
of living and the dawning
space age.
Other Factors Involved
They list other factors:
Government workers dis
satisfaction at not getting a pay
raise.
"A changed system of solicit
tation in Government Offices.
"A dispute last spring which
ended with a Planned Parent
hood Association being denied
admission to UGF.
The realization that UGF
still does not include a number
of separate appeals like Cancer,
Heart, tuberculosis, Polio, and
Crippled Children.
Lack of steam" in the
Government unit. typified by
the absence of the chairman.
Interior Secretary Seaton, from
many early meetings.
Failure of small businesses
to give their share of support.
And yet these leaders deny
the campaign has been "a
failure" They say that their
organization has worked bet
ter this year than ever before
but it is suffering from a COM
bination of factors. most OF
which they could not control.
Cool to white Envelope"
They hope that one of these
will be eliminated before next
year. That is the use of the
white envelope" in Govern
ment Offices. The envelope may
be used by any Federal worker
who wishes to give anonymously
rather than through his office
solicitor. About Z per cent of
all Government employees have
chosen to use the envelope
Their gifts have averaged $765
compared to the $ll.09 of Other
Government employees.
Campaign leaders say the en-
velopes have undercut the spirit
of competition between one
Government Office and another
and have cost the campaign al
least 100000.
The Presidents Committee
on Fund Raising Within the
Federal Service, composed Of
live sub-cabinet members. will
meet again in the spring tC
levaluate the success of the sys.
tenn used in Government Offices
this year. If the picture is bad
they are likely to recommend
changes.
: On the local scene. some UGH
officials have feared that ar
unsuccessful campaign nigh
prompt some agencies to pull