Fogg May Begin Fund Campaign

In deep financial trouble for the past few years, Fogg Museum has stepped up its campaign for funds in an effort to forestall any more cuts in an already drastically pared budget.

John P. Coolidge '35, Fogg Director, yesterday explained that no all-out drive has been started, but admitted he has initiated "several new projects to get money."

The urgency of the campaign, he said, stems from the fact that the present budget is about as low as it can be without "radically changing the character of the institution." The $25,000 slice made in the 1951-52 budged to bring it down to last year's $231,759 figure was made, he said, without drastically cutting the operations of the Museum. "But we couldn't cut anything more without a big change," he added.

Coolidge said this year's budget is approximately the same as last year's and will leave the Museum with a $300 surplus at the end of the year. He has no credit balance left.

Fogg's financial troubles began after the war and continued from 1945 through 1952, during which time it decimated a considerable balance and built up a $40,000 deficit. Last year it was forced to pay off the deficit by dipping into the endowment capital.

1952-'53, however was a good year for incoming gifts at the Museum.