Here is a 1932 editorial by former Secretary of War Newton D. Baker who insisted that charitable giving during the economic emergency that was the Depression was not merely humane - but an investment in the future of the United States:
"This year with the formation of the Welfare and Relief Mobilization by twenty-nine nationally known welfare organizations, we are able to present a united front in meeting the welfare and relief needs of the United States. We find that relief needs in our country have increased eightfold since 1929. Requests for free treatment in hospitals have increased since the Depression to the point where hospitals are giving away in free service as high as 30 percent of what they expend. Visiting nurse organizations in 14 metropolitan areas report a steady increase in free services totaled 58.3 percent. Free clinical service given by 144 agencies in 19 metropolitan areas showed an increase of 18.5 percent in 1930 as compared with 1929 and a further increase of 14.3 percent in 1931 over 1930... The winter of 1932 - 33, according to the predictions of leaders in the in the social service field, will prove the most difficult period of the Depression... Contributions from corporations are, therefore, not a generous gesture; they are based on good, sound business considerations."
