Evening star., 1942-07-28
boIIes Scores
Lag in Civilian
War Effort
Draws Comparison
With Activity in
Axis Countries

0NsS ~V0UtuISS
Every man. woman and child In
Axis countries is contributing to the
Axis war effort, but Americans, un-
aware OF the real crisis facing their
Nation, are tagging in their response
bilittes, Col. Lemuel sBolles, execu-
tive director OF Metropolitan Ci-
william Defense, told meeting Of the
Civilian Defense Volunteer once at
1924 r street NV. yesterday.
Col. Bolles' statement, constitute
ing the starkest comparison between
Allied and Axis war efforts ever
made by the District director, was
bolstered by q prepared statement
made. by Harold p. Goodwin, acting
chief Of the Metropolitan Civilian
Defense Once Of Information, who
cited claim that America can
boast but Is per cent active vol
untary civilian participation" In
World War II.
The occasion for Col. Bolles' talk
was the first in series of meetings
arranged by Mrs. Stuart A. Rice,
executive assistant In the Civilian
Defense Volunteer Once, with q
purpose of presenting the entire
civilian defense picture to the vol.
unteer group.
Mileham Also Speaks.
Col. Bolles. first speaker at veg
terday's meeting, which drew ap-
proximately 40 volunteers, was fol-
lowed by Chief Air Raid Warden
William J. Mileham and Mrs. Olive
w. Swinney, who spoke in the alb
sence Of her superior, Conrad Van
Hyning OF the OCD civilian mobi-
hzation division.
Every man, woman and child In
Germany and Japan" said Col.
Bollcs, is contributing to the war
effort every day. Our Nation can
not combat this spirit with slu9gish
thinking. haphazard devotion and
soft living.
The only way we can beat the
combination Is by scoring military
victory. You, as volunteers, must
help achieve that victory with the
same intensity Axis civilians are
helping their countries
We are 20 years behind the Axis
IN our preparations. We must make
up In months the lost ground cur
enemies have covered in years.
IT will take all we've got to de-
feat the enemy. We have long way
to 80 before we can approach parity
with him. We're up against tough
proposition.
This IS the job you must do.
Bring more people into the war e.
The surface has Just been
led.
Statistics Cited.
CBolles continued:
9 average American city to-
8 wasting tremendous amounts
M materials and power which the
enemy IS not wasting. But let's not
waste time arguing about It. Let's
take the bali the way 1t Is thrown
and make the best possible run
with IL"
Foalowing Col. Bolles' talk, mr..
Goodwin revealed part Of the script
for radio program last night In
which the following figures were
cited from the June 80 issue Of the
OCD News Letter:
"One authority has stated that In
the last war Germany devoted ap-
proximately 50 per cent OF her civil
resources and energy toward win-
ming the conflict. Today Germany ID
using better than 10 per cent, Rus
sta devotes 90 per cent. which has
been the main factor In the stag
gering blows dealt the Axis and her
heroic help to the Allies.
The United Kingdom has con-
tributed 70 per cent Of her popula-
ton to civilian defense, yet the
United States today can claim but
3 per cent active voluntary civilian
participation.s
Col. Bolles. Mr.. Mileham and Mrs.
| Swinney congratulated the volun-
teers on their uncomplaining sacri-
nee.
"Honors don't come to you In def.
mite terms" said Col. Bolles, but
you keep on plugging. That's the
spirit We must have.
! Gives warden Figures.
Mr.. Mileham explained the Dis.
trict warden setup to the group.
revealed that the warden service
numbers almost 10000. including
emergency feeding and housing
units, fire watchers and messengers.
| He said the warden services need
greatly increased personnel in nre
watchers and daytime" wardens,
particularly women wardens" who
can assume command Of the situa-
ton In the event Of disaster while
| their husbands are working.
Mr.. Mileham. too. stressed the
Imminent dangers to the District
and the Nation and the need for
quick action in civilian defense.
Personally. I am positive that
Washington will receive an attack
from the enemy sooner or later" he
said "As each day passes without
attack, It's on. more day Of grace
in which we can prepare to meet
the eventual attack
Thousands More NceGc.s.
Many people are planning what
| will happen after the war, Let's set
busy and win the war
Mrs. Swinney revealed that there
| are 10000 people in District war
service activities. as Of February
| OF this year, the latest accurate
/ count.
She issued plea for more volun-
teers and said that 5000 persons
are needed to organize by blocks
the civilian mobilization Of the Dis
trict.
Mrs. Rice presided over yesterdays
meeting.
lMui. Gen. Muhin Buried