Evening star., 1943-07-15
SomerviIIe Assumes
Civilian War Services
Executive Post
Appointment Is Made
Under Recent Provision
Of Funds for Activities

Harry P Somerville, former man.
ager of the Willard Hotel, took
over his duties today as executive
officer of Civilian War Services,
after being appointed and sworn in
yesterday afternoon to the 5000
a-year post. The appointment was
made by the Commissioners.
1t is understood that Mr.. Somer-
vile was the unanimous choice Of
the Steering Committee, headed by
Joseph D. Kaufman, set up to work
out the organizational plan of
Civilian War Services. Earlier this
week, President Roosevelt signed a
bill amending the Blackout Act,
providing s25 900 from the blackout
funds for the new service. formerly
known as Civilian Mobilization.
Mr.. Somerville, who said he was
familiar generally with the activi-
ties of the new unit, declined to
make a statement on his immediate
plans until he had time to study
the organization further He also
had nothing to say regarding who
would fill the $2l0O post OF admin
istrative assistant.
Active in Many Groups.
Well known in hotel and business
circles. Mr.. Somerville, 54, is a MEM
Der of the Board of Directors Of
Catholic Charities, executive secre-
tary of the Presidents Cup Regatta
Association, past vice president of
the American Hotel Association,
former member of the Board of
Trade, and an honorary member of
the Washington Hotel Association.
He has also been active in the
Community Chest and the Presi-
dents Birthday Ball Committee.
Mr. Somerville is also former
president of the First Federal Saw
ings and Loan Association, and is
a member of the Alfalfa Club, the
Friendly Sons of st. Patrick, and
the Variety Club.
Mr.. Somerville. as head Of the
nonprotectlye work OF CIVILIAN ue-
fense. will be responsible to the
Commissioners rather than to
Capt, H. c. Whitehurst, head of the
Department of Civilian Defense.
The new setup will cost the Dis
trict $4,000, divided into $40 900 for
salaries and s4,l0O for supplies and
miscellaneous material, and services.
In addition to Mr. Somerville, the
main office will have an administra-
tive assistant at S2,100, a secretary
at $4,000, and a stenographer at
ST 300.
Other Pay Jobs.
The area and block organiza-
ton, headed by volunteer chair
man and committee, will have three
paid staff members: Executive as
sistant, $4,000; secretary, $4,000. and
stenographer, $1,000. The service
will also have two other stenogra-
pliers at 81 300 a year.
1t will take in child care and
protection, family security, War saw
ings, War hospitality and recrea-
ton, salvage, housing, nutrition,
Victory gardens, consumer and
transportation problems. Wartime
welfare services will be financed
by the Council of Social Agencies
to the extent of $3.50 a year and
the war hospitality and recreation
work will be financed by the Com
munity War Fund, according to
the chart prepared for the Com
Committee Meets, Resigns.
After Mr.. Somerville's appoint
ment yesterday the old Central
Planning Committee of Civilian War
Services convened to hear a report
OF the Steering Committee and then
to offer its resignation to the
Commissioners. Mr.. Kaufman re-
viewed the activities of the Steering
Committee.
The Steering Committee was ap-
pointed when the Executive Com
m1ttee of the Central Planning
COponoiffoo roeioooJ Io.+ z~.;.