Few Contributions Slow Divinity Funds Appeal

The Divinity School fund drive has practically reached a standstill, the CRIMSON learned yesterday. In the ten months since the drive started, only $100,000 has been raised.

Last January the Corporation placed a two-year deadline on the campaign's initial goal of $2,000,000. $5000,000 had been pledged before the drive's start, giving the Endowment Fund a total of only $600,000.

If subscriptions continue at the present rate, the drive will be more than $1,000,000 behind its goal by January '54. In this event, the Corporation can make none of the proposed improvements in the school and will have to reconsider the entire revitalization program.

David W. Balley '21, Secretary to the Corporation, said that despite the slow progress the Corporation will take no action until January, 1954.

Until then, the entire situation is in the hands of the Divinity School Endowment Funds officials."

No Indication

Bailey gave no indication as to what steps the Corporation might take if the drive failed. The Corporation will, however, continue to subsidize the School's $25,000 a year deficit, at least until the deadline.

Charles P. McCurdy, the drive's executive secretary, admitted the slow rate of contributions, but said there were several foundations which are considering sizable donations to the School.

"We're concentrating all our emerges now on trying to get these large gifts," McCurdy said.

The Fund will open a Boston Office next week, McCurdy continued, under Vice-chairman Walter Trumbull '14. Trumbull raised much of the money for Lamont Library and will work full time on the campaign.

If the $2,000,000 is raised before the deadline, the Corporation will appoint a new Dean to replace retiring Willard L. Sperry, make new appointments to the faculty, and supply an added $500,000 for other improvements.

The drive's total goal is $5,000,000, and the Corporation will donate another $500,000 when this is subscribed.