Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-04-17

services branch :"
THE organization Of the block
system comprises zone lead
ers, with sector leaders under
them, and block leaders under
the sector leaders-each block
leader being responsible for
about 10 families.
The pamphlet pentions the
possibility of having the sector
leader elected by the residents
OF the area. But it says:
THE elective system Is not the
only one In use. In some COM
munities the sector leader has
been appointed directly by the
zone leader :"
No, Mr.. Niles ard Mr.. Lands
have no intention of having this
wonderful organization slip out
OF their control through any
such crude process as a demo-
cratic election!
But, perhaps, some stiff-necked
Americans might be found who
would insist upon an election.
What then? Mr.. David X. Niles
is ready for that-and the pro-
gram for the block system pro-
vides that:
There will he weak spots >
that Will have 10 be bolstered
up with special help. SOME A.
THE LEADERS SELECT
WILL HAVE TO BE ~
PLACEDw
NO. TIlERE'LL be no anti
~ quated democracy interfcr-
ING with this political machine.
And If that point isn't made
clear enough already. this neat
little pamphlet-which sells for
hVe centS--adds:
CLOSE contact and constant
readiness on the part OF the
zone and sector leaders 10 step
In and straighten things out will
build an effective organization
and keep IL In working order"
And just 10 clinch Mr.. Niles
control Of his brain-child, he
provides that The whole organ.
ization should be kept flexible"
with the names, addresses and
telephone numbers Of all men,
berS kept readily available.
Oh yes. gentlemen. the block
systems CT paign Will be
launched through press and
radios being launched through
those avenues.
4 Nd the pamphlet continues: |
"A Feature articles and radio
skits dramatize the importance
Of the program. Then, when
block leaders visit every homo,
this job Of making further ex-
plantations, answering questions, |
and enlisting the total co-opcra-
tion OF the community in this
campaign on the home front In
greatly simplified."
Written material Is 10 be
placed in the hands Of the block
leader for his study after all the
oral schooling is completed. But /
even then they do not trust the
block leader 10 carry on. And
the rules OF the block system
provide: u
I'm order TO know the
tiyeness with which the block
organization Is functioning, II IL
essential that the head OF tho
organization and the defense
council have definite reports on
work actually accomplished.
These reports should indicate
precisely how many Of the fam
lies within the area were visited
and the results obtained II
the project IL OF such n charac-
ter that reports may he obtained
on this latter point.
Specific headlines for the ffl-
Ing Of reports should he estab-
lished and strictly adhered to.
n space for comments about the
effectiveness Of the project and
Its reception by the families Wis.,
tied should usually be included"
4 ND. oh, think of the vast
"A organization here in Wash
ington and elsewhere that In
going TO be required 10 check
these reports and catalog
them or perhaps card index
every family in the United
States. What a wonderful wind
fall for the patronage setup that
David Niles now has to put his
henchmen on the pay roll.
Thus do we see that we are
permitting 10 be set up under
our very noses a system fully
capable OF going side by side
down the line-in principle and
in effect, and with the results
obtained by = the gestapo Of
Heinrich Himmler. In other
words, If the present "gestapo
bill" now before us on the floor
Of the House, should finally be
passed with this fiendish setup.
we would have permitted to he
put into effect in America ey-
actly the same program. The
same technique which Hitld es
found so effective in Gerry w
and Mussolini in Italy; neighbor
will be spying on neighbor, hus-
bands will be spying on wives.
and reporting them or subject
ing themselves 10 the dramatic
penalties prescribed under the
"gestapo bill" generally known