Evening star., 1942-03-10
Afraid Wardens'
Suspension Brings
Policy Statement
Col. BoIIes Exploins
Case as Custer Of
Five Is Investigated

wardenS by Chief War0en Clement
Murphy was followed today by a
statement of policy from Col. Lem
uel Bolles. Metropolitan Area civilian
defense director. dealing with dis
cipline In the ranks Of defense VOL
unteers.
Meanwhile. the suspensions or
dered by Chief Murphy were under
investigation by Maj. Gen. Walter
Reed, U. S. A. retired. now inspector
general for civilian defense in Wash
ington, who will report to Col.
Bolles.
The policy statement, issued with
the approval of Commissioner
Young, defense co-ordinator, de-
clared that:
1T is the duty of the chief air
raid warden as we'll as of each Of
the other responsible chiefs OF serv-
ice to develop and maintain disci-
pline and to take corrective action
whenever the circumstances, in his
judgement, require it."
Called Small Incidents"
Sols DOltCo S<kto I1lC CGCllU Su8~
pensions in the AFRAID warden
services were nothing more than
| small incidents which are to be
expected in any new Organization
involving large numbers of citizens.
It is to be expected there will be
isolated instances of miSunderstand-
ing or definite ineff1ciency."
ice
Young had established an inspector
generals department. headed by
Gen. Reed, and that cases involving
disciplinary action are referred to
the judge advocate general, Judge
Samuel E. Whitaker Of the United
States Court of Claims, for con-
sideration and recommendation.
The policy statement added, "A
high state of discipline, self-imposed
because of the intelligence of the
citizens defense corps and insisted
upon by them and the citizens gen.
orally requires an orderly proceed
ure both in the interests of the
service and in order to avoid in
justice to the individual who may
be involved in any controversy. This
orderly procedure Is insisted upon
by Commissioner Young and will be
followed in all instances. 1t is being
followed at the present time.
Comment Withheld.
mo comment will be forthcoming
from this Office until final reports
have been received and acted upon
by the co-ordinator. This policy
should have been observed by all
parties involved in any controversy
of any nature in each Of the several
services of the citizens defense
corps"
In a letter to Hallett Hill, 3114
Fourteenth street NV, and three
other wardens suspended in the
Columbia Heights area, Chief
Murphy wrote in part:
investigations have disclosed the
fact that the efficiency and morale
of the AFRAID warden services de-
mand that this suspension action be
taken at this time
Acting Deputy Named.
S. Alfred Nash was named acting
deputy warden to replace Mr.. Hill
pending completion of the inquiry.
Others suspended along with Mr..
Hill were Percy C. Smith, 1885 Park
road NV; Charles E Wolfe, 1448
Girard street NV, and Mrs. Ernest
w. Howard, 521 Monroe street NV.
Mr.. Hill could not be reached i'm
mediately for a statement. Mr..
Smith refused to discuss the subject
except to say, Il feel my suspension
was very unjust. All I ask is
complete and fair investigation.
Gen. Reed was to investigate the
suspension of William A. Robinson,
assistant deputy warden of the
Southeast area, by Chief Murphy
after Mr.. Robinson, it was said,
made efforts to oust w. c. Cornelius
as deputy warden of the Southeast
area.
Mr. Robinson, it was said. sought
the resignation of Mr.. Cornelius
in an unauthorized manner" Chief
Murphy said the complaint against
Mr.. Cornelius was that he had been
member of the American League
for Peace and Democracy, described
as a Communist front organization.
Mr.. Robinson was said to be a
conservative member of the A. F. of
L. and Mr.. Cornelius a liberal men,
ber of the C. I. o.
Rhine Issues Statement.
In statement on the controversy
today. Henry Rhine, president of
the Washington Industrial Union
Council, declared the &C. I. o. is
supporting Chief Murphy for the
commendable action he took in
suspending William A. Robinson for
insubordinate action in Southeast
Washington.
II am confident that Mr.. Robin
son, In criticizing William Cornelius,
because of Mr.. Cornelius member
| ship in the c. I. O., does not reflect