Evening star., 1941-06-08
Civilian Volunteers
Begin Registration
tuesday Afternoon
$4,000 Home Defense
Workers Expected From
Washington Area

The first of a civilian army expect
ed to number more than 10000 per-
sons will begin volunteering for
home defense work in Washington
at $3.50 pm. Tuesday.
The volunteers will be registered
by the Committee on Volunteer
Service at A neighborhood schools
between that hour and $50 pm.
Registration will also be conducted
between the same hours Wednes-
day and Thursday.
The Volunteer Service Committee
Is a branch of the District Defense
Council which is co-ordinating its
work with the Office of Civilian De-
fense, headed by Mayor La Guardia
of New York.
Highway Director H. G. White
hurst, executive vice chairman of
the council, said yesterday following
his return from a conference with
Mr.. La Guardia in Baltimore that
he was pleased to learn local de-
fense efforts are proceeding along
the right lines, but that much pre-
paratory work remains.
Needs Clearly Set Forth
"The nations needs and situation
were clearly set forth at the meet
ing and gave me a much better
Installation of what must be done
here" he added. Il can see that
there are quite a few details in our
local program that must be broad
ened"
Capt. Whitehurst did not enlarge
on the statement, or explain what
part of the District program he had
in mind as most in need of eXpan-
sion. He said that he had set no
specific step in the defense activity
to be carried out this week other
than the registration of volunteer
workers.
Mrs. Harry S. Benton, chairman
of the Committee on Volunteer
Service, reported that all details
are in readiness. Nearly 500 reg
istrars assembled in the north audi
torium of the Interior Building
Friday night to receive final in
structions.
The Central Volunteer Bureau Of
the District Defense Council was
opened in the old District Armory
at Sixth street and Pennsylvania
avenue NV. Thursday. Mrs. Bern
ton reported that persons have come
to the Office in a steady stream
during the three DAYS 1t has been
in operation, and that many OF
them offered to go to work immedi-
stely on various phases of the pro-
gram.
Given Office Work.
A number of those who appeared
at the bureau came there to volun-
teer as registrars, the chairman
added, and were instructed to at
tend Friday nights school. Others
were put to work in the Office.
The names listed in this weeks
registration will be used as a re-
servoir from which to draw volun-
teers. both to carry on the program
and to meet any emergency which
NAV arise. Some of these will be
called Immediately.
The largest item on the immedi-
ate list calls for 300 group leaders
to work with the Y. M. c. A, Y.
w. C. A., Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts
and settlement houses. They Will
assist with programs which already
have been greatly expanded and
still are rapidly increasing due to
the growth in population ana 10
the large number of soldiers who
come into the Capital each week
end.
Still another important need IS
for 500 volunteers to serve without
nav as clerical workers, chiefly as
TWISTS and clerks. Local hospitals
have asked for $50 nurses aides and
80 orderlies at once. Ten trained
laboratory technicians have been
called for. and there also ls need
for 90 persons to aid in publ city and
radio work.
Growth in Demands.
These volunteers, it was explained,
are in addition to those needed to
help the Travellers Aid and the Red
Gross carry on their greatly ex-
banded activities. AS an example
of the growth in demands on soclal
agencies. the Y. w. c. A. reported
that an average of rs girls day,
many of them drawn here by Gov
eminent jobs, apply there for rooms.
Mrs. Benton explained that the
work of the Central Volunteer Bu-
reau will in no way interfere with
the programs of established agen-
cies.
"The function of the bureau" she
said, will be to help already eX-
listing agencies find the volunteers
they need"
She also pointed out that the
public, in some instances, seems to
have confused the Committee on
Volunteer Service with the United
Service Organization. The q. S. O.,
she explained, is raising funds for
several agencies, one OF which is
the committee.
Want Record of Capabilities.
The chairman announced that all
volunteers now working with the
defense program are requested to
register with the Central Volunteer
Bureau so that record of their
capabilities and training can be
made. They will be asked to state
what work they already are doing
and whether they can give addl-
ttonal time. These workers, Mrs.
ITTTII IL, /,