Evening star., 1941-10-31
Lack Of Funds
In Civil Defense
Program Hit
StuI| Charges
Blundering at
Wurdens' Meetinq


civilian defense in the District STIR
red meeting of the recently nomi-
mated deputy wardenS and Defense
Committee chairmen last night at
the District Building to lively debate.
The issue was raised by Harry N.
Stull, president of the Federation
of Citizens Associations. He praised
Col. Lemuel BolleS, executive direc-
tor of the District Defense Council;
fire and police officers and the Dis
trict Commissioners, but declared:
In the long run, some one has
bungled. This is nothing less than
a civic outrage to expect the people
OF the District to dig down in their
own pockets and carry on this work.
We may be able to carry on under
the present plan, but unless public
funds are forthcoming we are going
to run into trouble
Fund Requests Denied.
Pointing out that the Budget Bu-
reau twice had turned down the
District Commissioners requests for
civilian defense funds, Mr.. Stull said
Col. BolleS had been forced to bor-
row personnel from other parts Of
the District government.
Somewhere, some one should see
to 1t that money is available" Mr..
Stull said. I'VE can't go ahead with
this air raid warden plan without
some funds"
Battalion Chief Clement Murphy,
newly appointed chief air raid
warden. who presided, agreed with
Mr.. Stull, but asked: Are we going
to put dollar above patriotism
This is going to be tough The funds
are just not here. But let's do this
the hard way and we'll be doing
something in the way of sacrifice
and patriotism worth while. I'll
donate $50 month of my salary to
this organization"
Mr.. Stull responded by saying he
also would donate $40 a month,
and make any other necessary Sacri-
fees. But still say it isn't right, I"
he protested. He doubted if other
cities were attempting such a pro-
gram without public funds.
Chief Murphy reported that at
Edgewood Arsenal, where he and
others recently had taken a course
in air raid precautions, representa-
tiveS from other cities said their
! municipalities had not yet provided
funds.
Federal Property Cited.
A speaker who described himself
as rookie president" of an organi-
cation protested I'VE have a lot OF
Federal property here Under this
setup we'll have to take care of
that"
I'm very much in accord with
Mr.. Stull," declared DR.. F. E. Harris,
acting president of the Federation
of Civic Associations. I'VE are all
nothing but political nonentities
here in Washington without the
vote. Congress ought to find the
money We need for these air raid
warden stations"
Calling on the group to make per-
sonal sacrifices to put the program
over. Sidney F. Mashbir, deputy
warden of the American University
area, said he could not see why we
as individuals can't get this started y
Culver B. Chamberlain, deputy
warden from Cleveland Park area.
said he believed that there should be
public funds.
BOlles Defends Program.
Col. Bolles defended the program
saying: I'VE could quit in our tracks
right now and lose valuable time
Are we going to lay ourselves open
to let Hitler lick us or are we going
to do our best? Let's don't lose
valuable time. Let's do everything
we individually can do" His state
ment drew applause and cheers.
| Prior to the debate over funds,
plans had been outlined by Col.
Bolles, Battalion Chief Murphy and
Robert H. Duncan of the District of
Columbia Red Cross, for setting up
Red Cross schools for instruction of
air raid wardens in first aid. The
first courses will start November II,
and finish December Is, after which
there will be another course in in
cendiary bombs and gas.
Acting Supt. of Police Edward J.
Kelly. Capt. John Fowler, command
ing officer of the Police Academy
and Capt. H. F. Harding of the Fire
Department Training School also
spoke.