Evening star., 1943-12-11
Civilian Defense
Cut Of $4,000
Ordered Here
10 Jobs Abolished.
130 Telephones to
Be Discontinued
BY CAMBRIDGE CRIsT.

ny bAlNbHlDGE CRIST.
In a move to economic and
streamline the city's civilian de-
tense organization, the Commits
sioners today ordered reduction
in personnel and telephone serv-
ice that will effect an annual
saving of more than $4,000.
Plans call for elimination of 10
positions at an estimated saving Of
$4,000 a year and removal of ap-
proximately 130 telephones, which
will save an additional $1,000. Seven
positions vacant for two months,
representing an annual cost of
sl4 500, already have been abolished,
bringing overall savings of s45,e2o.
The changes ARE in the interest
Of economy and We do not believe
that the changes will in any way
affect the efficiency of the depart
ment fof civilian defenseJ or i'm
pair its usefulness as a protective
organization in the event of an
emergency Capt. H. C. White
hurst, director of civilian defense,
declared.
Positions Topped Off.
Major changes in the office Of
director call for dropping the posi-
ton of public relations officer, now
held by H. P. Goodwin. at salary
OF $1,000 year, and the assistant
to the director, post filled by
Capt. w. L. Clemens at $500 a
year. Capt Whitehuxst said he
wished to make it clear that the
posts were being abolished not be-
cause Of unsatisfactory work by Mr..
Goodwin and Mr.. Clemens but be-
cause there was insufficient work
to justify continuance of the posi-
tions.
Mrs. nellie N. Holmes, assistant
director of the civilian protective
schools at a salary Of s2,40O, is to
become property officer and secre-
tary to Maj. Ennalls Waggaman,
assistant to Commissioner John
Russell Young, regional director Of
civilian defense.
In explaining the change in as
signment of Mrs. Holmes. Capt.
Whitehurst said that the training
of personnel has been assumed by
the respective services and certih-
cation is now being handled by the
office of the chief air raid warden.
This procedure has decreased the
work OF the training school to such
an extent that the position is no
longer necessary" The work of the
training schools hereafter will be
confined to the civilian defense
units In the nearby counties in
cluded in the Washington region.
Reorganization Plans.
Reorganization plans call for the
removal of approximatelv 79 tele-
phones at casualty stations. 13 at
demolition zone headquarters and
l3 at the command center. Tele-
phones also will be removed from
the private utilities headquarters. all
alternate police stations and the
afraid warden service will be linn
tied to one tie line, National 5000.
The communications system for
civilian defense, other than the
signal system, was rapidly expanded
in some cases without study of ac-
tual requirements" Capt. White
hurst said. "A recent thorough and
complete study, including an an
alysis and use of telephone facili-
ties, has convinced this Office that
many Of the telephone installations
could be appropriately discontin-
ued without impairing the services
in the event of an emergency"
Capt. Whitehurst said many Of
the phones constituted a duplica-
ton of service and that cases had
been found of their use for unau-
thorized long-distance calls. The
removal of the telephones will save
approximately 20 per cent of the
present annual telephone bill Of
s32 900, it was said.
In Effect December 81.
The new plans. which will 20 into
effect December 81, as far as person.
mel is concerned, are based on rec
concentrations submitted by Capt.
Whitehurst. who was directed on
November 3 by the Commissioners
to study the civilian defense depart
ment in order to place it on a basis
appropriate to the present situa-
ton and as continuing organiza-
ton until such time as further need
tor the department ceases to exist"
| Other changes are as follows.
w. H. Smith. property clerk of
the regional Office, will be trans
ferred to the department of civilian
defense to replace c. P. Dewey, chief
clerk, who is entering Federal serv-
ice. Mr.. Smiths pay for the three
months probational period will be
at the rate of $4,000 per annum.
In the office of director, a 1920
clerk-stenographer, a s1,440 clerk
and PIX operator will be dropped
from the rolls. Three watchmen at
the District Building, receiving basic
pay OF Sl,500 year cash from the
blackout fund, also are to be
dropped
c. N Emmons, superintendent of
the Municipal Garage, has been ap-
pointed chief of emergency trans
portation to replace John A. Brown,
who has asked to retire. j. w. Bat
son, inspector of transportation OF
the sewer division, has been named