Evening star., 1943-06-16
SomerveII Defends
Character, Value Of
WAACS al. Hearing
Tells House Committee
One Critic Is Suspected
Of Axis Sympothies

Spirited championship of the char
acter and value OF the WAACS, a
challenge to find me one Army
oficer here in Washington. from
Gen. Marshall down. who wants to
be here, or one who is derelict in his
duty" and an expression Of pride in
The Pentagon Building featured the
testimony Of 1t. Gen. Brehon B.
Somervell, in charge of Army Service
Forces before the Ramspeck Civil
Service Investigating Committee to-
day.
At the close Of the hearing Chair
man Ramspeck, Representative Rees
OF Kansas, ranking minority mem
Der, and other committee members
congratulated Gen. Somervell for
doing good job, knowing what you
are about, and we know you will do
even better as you so on"
"One man who has said some of
these things Is suspected of Axis
sympathies, the general said in
concluding discussion OF recent
stories told about the WAACS,
which members of the committee
deplored. Representative Klein.
Democrat. Of New York said they
were not intended as a joke" when
Representative Manasco, Democrat,
OF Alabama suggested that the
American people liked to joke and
tell stories.
I'VE must remember that these
girls are our daughters, sisters. out
Of our own families" he said. We
should treat them with respect, as
they deserve. These stories have
been very unfortunate. We ought to
do all we can to keep clean. The
WAACS have the respect of all Army
officers
Asked by Chairman Ramspeck If
they are not doing good job, Gen.
Somerall replied: We're very proud
of them. They are eager and show
complete devotion to duty" He
described with pride the fortitude
and service of four at Casablanca,
who were fished out of the water
with boat hooks after their ship had
been sunk"
Summarizes Record.
The record of WAAC service in
Washington was summarized as fol-
lows: OF the 144 officers and 1,060
enlisted personnel, four officers and
284 enrollees are at Fort Belvoir post
headquarters on clerical duties for
merly performed by enlisted men:
four officers and 148 enrollees are at
Fort Washington Post Headquarters
similarly employed; in the War De-
partment service group there are Is
officers and 256 enrollees; on the staff
OF the commanding general military
district Of Washington are six off,
GERS; on recruiting duty. 70 officers,
attending special schools or on spe-
clal training duties, l6 officers and
one enrollee.
Gen. Somervell's challenge regard
ing Army officers in Washington was
made after questions by Representa-
tive Arthur G. Klein, Democrat, of
New York
There Is not man in uniform In
Washington. he said, who doesn't
work overtime. and he does not get
paid for it. If you can give me the
names OF any officer who is neglect
ing his duty. want to get it," He
added that their desire to do their
job is worthy of the highest praise"
Proud Of Pentagon.
Regarding the Pentagon Building,
the general said he would assume
all responsibility" because he was its
father" He added Il am very
proud Of the Pentagon. I think we
have done an economical job even
If we do have few feet Of grass
around it. 1t cost less than any
other Office building for the amount
of space provided, and I don't know
what we could have done without, it,"
Replying to question of providing
more housing for workers near in
duStrial plants, the general said.
There is to be no early decrease in
the production of material. We ex-
pect to produce about 30 per cent
more before we reach the produc-
ton peak. Housing is essential in
order to meet this. Lack of housing
is responsible for our terrific turn
over