Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-08
Commissioner YOUNG
Urges Uniform Policy
In Civilian Defense
Co-ordinutor Issues
First Bulletin Since
Creation Of Department

In his first formal bulletin is.
sued since the creation Of a De.
partment of Civilian Defense here
Commissioner Young, as defense
co-ordinator for the metropolitan
area, today defined the relationship
between the co-ordinator's office
and the civilian defense organiza-
tons in the District and adjacent
counties. d.
Co-ordinator Young explained he
will use his best Offices" to secure
uniform policy, recognizing the
powers and responsibilities which
remain vested In the several indie
pendent communities of the area
He said:
The Civilian Defense organiza-
ton established by local authority
in the several jurisdictions COM
posing the metropolitan area Of
Washington are responsible for al
matters pertaining to the organiza.
ton, training, control and direction
of Civilian Defense within their re.
spective localities.
Clears Up Bolles Status.
ut is the policy of the United
States co-ordinator to address him
self in the first instance to the direc-
tor of civilian defense in each COM
munity.
1T is the policy of the co-ordi-
nator to continue to make available
to s Jurisdiction the Miro
pontan Area such pHns. instruc-
lions, suggestions. etc, for the ef-
fective development Of civilian de-
Tense in the Metropolitan Area as
may, from time to time, be received
from the United States OCD, the
commanding general of the military
district OF Washington and other
governmental agencies. The on
Gals Of the several communities
will be completely responsible TO,
the degree and character of ap-
plication of such plans in their re-
spective communities"
The order is regarded as clearing
up question as to what authority
if any, would be retained by Col
Lemuel Bolles, now executive to Cor
ordinator Young, in view of the
action of the Board of Commits
sioners recently in creating a Dis
trict government department OF
Civilian Defense and placing High
way Director H. c. Whitehurst In
command as executive director and
as commander of the Citizens De-
Tense Corps of the District.
Supercedes Previous Orders.
Co-ordinator Youngs order begins
by stating that the previous series OF
instructions" and orders" issued by
his Office terminate with instructions
dated January 30, and that here
after his instructions would be en-
titled bulletins" numbered in q
single new series.
Co-ordinator Young said: 1.-The
function of the Office is to arrange
mutual measures by the dependent
communities constituting the Metro.
politan Area to the end that each
may play its part in an area wide
protective team. The co-ordinatol
expects to find in each of the com.
munities reasonable men and WON.
en- who, by exercise of intelligence
can weigh the evidence on all CUES
tons which arise and jointly. i'm
personally and effectively arrive al
the best solution under all the
circumstances.
"A minimum number of questions
may have almost equal evidence or
both sides and in such cases the
co-ordinator will act informally a.
an umpire recommending a solu.
ton to all concerned"
He added that he expects to OPP
crate his Office as a clearing house
for problems on which the authori-
ties Of the local communities desire
counsel or assistance.
simultaneously the co-ordinator'
Office issued Bulletin No. O." in
which Mr.. Young stated that it was
expected that public rehearsals OF
the new audible AFRAID warning
signals, after being fully publicized
would be conducted on or after Feb.
ruary II. the effective date under
the proposals by the national OCr
and the War Department.