Evening star., 1942-01-08

.ToAid in School
Defense Vigil
Four-Hour Shifts,
Men on Difficult
Night Posts Planned

= District school teachers today had
q unanimous vote Of confidence in
their patriotism by the Board of
Education to match against criti-
cism by civilian defense officials
over some teacher protests against
maintaining q 24-hour vigil in the
various school buildings.
The vote of confidence came after
prolonged discussion by the board
members yesterday on participation
Of teachers in the civilian defense
work.
At the same time. Supt. Frank
w. Ballou revealed that the teacher
participation program is undergo
ing large scale revision calculated to
spread the burden over the entire
personnel willing to serve.
Entering another phase Of the
local defense program. the board
approved the use Of 48 schools as
casualty stations under the emerg-
ency medical establishment.
Warden to Stand Watch.
The civilian afraid wardens, with
the aid Of auxiliary police, have
been made responsible for keeping
communications open in IS smaller
schools, DR.. Ballou reported, while
teachers will continue to man the
telephone at the remaining larger
buildings. The larger buildings will
be heated, he said, but there is no
way to heat the smaller ones without
additional funds and custodial aid.
At stated times during the 16
hours between the close Of school
in the evening and the opening in
the morning, the telephones are all
rung. Some are answered, indicating
personnel on the alert, others are
not. Reports are made daily, DR..
Ballou said, on the results of the
tests of the previous night, checking
up on the weak spots.
Under the revised program being
work out, the shifts are to be four
hours each and teachers volunteer
ing service will be given opportunity
to serve in schools nearest their
homes whether or not they teach
there. The work will be divided up
over the entire personnel and so far
as possible men will be assigned the
difncult night shifts.
Won't Be Forced to Serve.
DR.. Ballou said teachers would not
be compelled to serve when it was
not convenient for them but added
they had a civic responsibility along
with other citizens which should be
discharged willingly and courage
ously.
Asked by a board member whether
custodians could be used to keep
watch in the buildings. Dr. Ballou
said they were now working II to
Is hours q day rs .it is and that it
would be impossible to ask them to
do more.
Questioned on the wisdom Of the
entire plan and asked to explain
its purpose. DR.. Ballou replied he
was following orders from civilian
defense officials and had originated
none On his own. He said the plan
was adopted to protect the buildings
and also to test the alertness Of the
defense program.
Secretly Ordered.
The school ofncers are keeping
open one ONCE at Franklin School
headquarters daily from to 10 pm.
and additional telephone operators
are being provided with civilian de-
fense funds for the schools switch
board.
The entire controversy arose
shortly before Christmas when a "a
hour watch in school building was
suddenly and secretly ordered with
out explanation and during the
Christmas holidays teachers kept
watch in the buildings. The plan
came to light when several teachers
protested and asked the reason for
1t. The protest brought denunci-
alton from Commissioner John Rus
sci Young who is United States CO.
ordinator Of Civilian Defense for the
city.