Evening star., 1942-01-25
Virginia Groups
Await Darden' S
Defense Plans
Bill to Be Offered;
Mann Quits Post
AtArIington

Civilian defense organisations in
Virginia were marking time today
pending introduction In the Legis-
lahlre tomorrow OF Gov. Darden's
"streamlned setup" for handling
defense preparations.
The Arlington County Board ad-
journed after q session lasting only
about an hour during which views
were expressed that county civilian
defense officials no longer had any
authority, and Harrison Mann.
county co-ordinator of defense
activities, stepped out Of the civilian
defense picture, explaining that he
would be glad to cooperate In the
future as q private citizen.
In Alexandria, Albert v. Bryan,
Commonwealth's attorney, appoint-
ed chairman of the air raid Or
ganization two weeks ago, resigned
yesterday, explaining to City Man.
ager Carl Budwesky that he believed
the two jobs were too much for one
man to administer adequately. Mr..
Budwesky said that he would not
name q successor until Gov. Dar-
dens program had been announced,
and that meanwhile the two assist
ant air raid wardens, Robert 8.
Lyles and Henry T. Mcncure, would
continue to function.
Activities Are Continued.
So far as the Northern Virginia
Regional Defense Council Is con-
cerned, activities are continuing ~
In the past and are expected to go
on without interruption until the
new setup Is announced and new
oficials take over.
Mrs. Alma Ramsay, executive
secretary of the council, which has
taken the lead in defense prepara-
tions in the Virginia metropolitan
area, said that whatever organiza-
ton the State decided Is best would
be supported by the personnel Of the
present council, and that officers
would serve until relieved.
Just what the changes will be
Is a matter Of speculation, but it
Is not believed that they will affect
the major portion Of the present
personnel.
r. Freeland Chew, member Of the
Arlington County Board, said he
belived the reorganization would be
principally directed toward CENTRAL
izing responsibility in elective off,
cials or bodies, such as mayors, city
or county managers or county
boards, which In the last analysis
would have to be responsible for the
civilian defense organization and
for providing funds to make it
effective.
Orxanixation Used rs Model
Dissolution of the civilian defense
organization in Northern Virginia
will mark an end to what has been
considered one Of the most progress
sive groups in the country. and one
which was used as a model in rNny
other parts of the State and Nation.
Most Of the personnel Is expected to
be blanketed into the new organiza-
ton, however, so that any changes
brought about in the new setup will
l a4OA1S 4AAA1 "a
administration rather than per-
sonnel, except In the top positions.
Mr.. Chew and Mr.. Mann agreed
that no reorganization of the air
raid warden and the auxiliary serv-
ices established to supplement the
already existing fire, police. health
departments was in prospect.
In announcing that he was step
ping out Of the county defense pic
ture, MIR. Mann appealed for addi-
tional volunteers to serve as atten-
dants in base hospitals and for re-
cruits in the Virginia Protective
Force. 1t was also announced that
base hospital No. would be in st.
Thomas More Church, 1873 North
Thomas street. The other hospitals
in Arlington County will be at the
Washington Golf and Country
Club, washington-Lee High School
and the Calvary Methodist Church
school building, South Twenty third
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