Evening star., 1942-08-05
Urges
Stronger Day
Warden Service
Murphy Is Honored
For Developing
Setup in D. 6.

SetuP in D. {.
Battalion Chief Clement Murphy
who asked to be relieved of his
assignment as air raid warden chief
two months ago. last night received
an official citation for organizing
the warden setup.
The citation, presented at the
semi-monthly meeting of deputy
wardens. was accompanied by a
War savings bond as a tribute from
the air raid warden service.
Although the meeting primarily
was devoted to honoring the organi-
ger of the warden service, Chief
Air Raid Warden William j.
Mileham, who succeeded Chief
Murphy. also called on the deputies
to develop daytime warden service.
Mr.. Mileham pointed out that the
present warden organization cannot
be called upon on a 24-hour basis
since many of the wardens might
be out of their areas in case of a
daytime raid. He said he hoped
to develop a daytime organization
so that either the day or night staff
! could readily be called for duty,
To Serve But One Post.
The warden chief also told the
deputies that members of the
| warden service could serve on only
one post rather than serving in the
daytime in the business district and
at night in the residential area.
In time of emergency, he pointed
out, it would be necessary for every
deputy to rely on his allotment of
Wardens, which would be impossible
/ If the wardens were listed for two
posts.
Chief Murphy, who received a
standing ovation from the deputies.
was recommended for a citation
OF merit by the Committee on
Citation of Awards "for his es-
pecially meritorious contribution to
the civilian defense program in the
District in that he served with
honor and distinction as chief air
| raid warden for the District from
the time of the inception of the
air raid warden service until his
resigna ton"
The citation also stated that "his
ever-present example of hard work
and dlligent attention to duty served
as an inspiration to those serving
under him and through his efforts
the afraid warden service was
organized and brought to a high
state of efficiency"
Others Praise Work.
Praise for organizing and starting
the training of 10000 wardens who
had no previous experience on the
job required of them came not only
from the wardens, who presented
Chief Murphy with the bond, but
also from Fire Chief Stephen T..
Porter, Police Inspector Harvey Call
lahan. Maj. Leonce Legendre, as
sistant executive of District civilian
defense, and Miss Mary Mason, who
was an assistant AFRAID warden
under Chief Murphy.
Mr.. Mileham read a telegram
from Defense Co-ordinator John
Russell Young expressing apprecia-
ton for Chief Murphy's work in the
interest Of civilian defense. and a
letter from Col. Lemuel Bolles, ex-
ecutive director of District civilian
defense, pointing out that when
Chief Murphy entered the civilian
defense picture neither the warden
service nor any other element in
the defense set up existed to any
considerable degree.
by indefatigable energy and ap-
plication to his job" said the let
ter from Col. Bolles. "he got the
warden service under way in q
minimum Of time. He proved him
self a man Of great energy, versa
tility and initiative"
Warns Of Tagging Interest.
Chief Murphy, in discussing the
future of the warden service, de-
clared that the older the organiza-
ton grows without such an incentive
as an air raid, the more difficult it
is to maintain the interest of the
wardens He said he was sure hi,
successor would work out program
to maintain warden interest.
At the warden business session
Mr.. Mileham suggested that the
deputies make routine check OF
their areas at least once a week to
see that no lights were left burning
either in homes or business houses
He pointed out that the last black
out, which came unannounced, had
disclosed a number of offenders.
He also told the wardens that with
the number of chores they were now
called on to do, it was necessary tt
put every sector warden to work
He called on control center officials
to deny the rumor that children
were setting of public warning de.
vices.