War Refugee Board Defines Its Relations with Private Agencies

The War Refugee Board will work closely with governmental and intergovernmental agencies but will also depend on the facilities of “private agencies engaged over a long period in the task of rescuing and maintaining refugees,” according to a definition of policy issued by John W. Pehle, executive director of the Board. The statement of policy, addressed to the national chairmen of the United Jewish Appeal, reads:

“The War Refugee Board will continue to do everything within its power to bring speedy rescue and relief to as many victims of enemy persecution as may be possible. To that end, and in carrying out the grave responsibilities which the President has assigned to the Board, it will continue to work closely with every governmental and intergovernmental agency whose facilities and resources are available for its use.

“At the same time, the Board will continue to utilize, to the extent practicable, the facilities and resources of private agencies in the furtherance of certain phases of its program. In this connection it is the Board’s intention to use its best efforts to expand and accelerate the helpfulness of private agencies, such as yours, which have been engaged over a longer period in the task of rescuing and maintaining refugees and which have developed well-tested machinery for relief and rehabilitation. The emergency character of the Board makes this procedure desirable.

“The War Refugee Board is working closely and will continue to work closely with the President’s War Relief Control Board. In so far as the War Refugee Board will depend on the experienced private agencies to execute its objectives, it will be glad to see a generous response on the part of the American people to the fund-raising efforts of such bodies. While authorized to accept contributions, the War Refugee Board has no present intention of embarking upon a campaign for the solicitation of funds from private persons. It hopes rather that the organizations which already enjoy the confidence of the country and which have done extensive work in the field of emergency aid and relief will be the media through which the sympathy of Americans for the purposes of the War Refugee Board will be concretely expressed.”