Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-12-28

with Increased Staff
To Aid Returnees
The District Veterans Information
Center opened for business today
in its new quarters at 1400 Penn
sylvania avenue NV, after a send
off ceremony yesterday hailing the
expanded center as Washington's
answer to the challenge presented
by the return of the steadily in
creasing number of veterans.
Led by Veterans Administrator
Omar N. Bradley, Selective Service
Director Lewis B. Hershey and two
of the District Commissioners, more
than 100 representatives of Federal
and local. public and private agen-
cies witnessed the dedication cere-
monies.
After looking over the center,
which occupies half the central sec
ton OF the United States Public In
formation Building, both Gen. Brad
ley and Gen. Hershey commented
that the larger space was an impor-
tant step toward giving better serv-
ice to Washington veterans. Gen.
Bradley pointed out that while "one-
stop service" might be impossible
because of necessary records located
in other agencies, there were many
services the center could perform
which no other single Federal or
local agency offered. He said 1t
should never be necessary for man
to make more than two stops for
help.
Four Interview Offices.
Many of those who witnessed the
dedication ceremony had been on
the various committees which for
more than year had urged CEN
ter with plenty of space, private
rooms for interviews and comfort.
/ dDlG chairs lOI waiting.
They saw a lobby with l6 pieces
of overstuffed leather furniture, foul
private Offices where representatives
of other agencies will interview the
veterans, and the long central Office
which in itself could swallow up the
cottage where the center was previ-
ously located.
They heard Col. Waldron E. Leon
ard, the center's new director, ex-
plain that in addition to the CEN
ters own five interviewers, who will
occupy desks in the central space
representatives will be on hand from
the Veterans Administration, the
United States Employment Service
Civil Service Commission, American
Red Cross and insurance agencies to
talk with the men in the private
Offices
Col. Leonard said he hopes to get
three typists who will write neces-
sary letters for the men, and ma
chinery for discharges to be regis
tered at the center. He said he also
hopes to obtain representatives from
other agencies who will give advice
on loans, legal and financial assis-
lance, vocational guidance and ad-
vice on surplus property.
Cooperation Stressed.
Both Joseph McGarraghy, chair
man of the center's advisory group,
who presided, and William E. Leahy,
District selective service director
who made the keynote address, en-
phasized that the center's success
depended on community co-opera-
ton. Mr.. Leahy said that in the
city's clubs, societies and organiza-
tons "dwelled huge reservoir OF
conscious willingness and anxious
desire to help" adding that this
source of service can be tapped
through the CENTER
Pointing out the devotion to duty
of those who helped in the effort to
fill the Districts quota for men for
the armed forces, Mr.. Leahy said
that spirit did not expire on vi
day, the people still want to help
While the problems OF the vet
Grams may not be too complicated,
Mr.. Leahy said, ito the young vet
eran coming back home, they rep
resent initial barriers which he must
hurdle Immediately and well or he
doubts his ability ever to live again
in civilian confidence. And right
here in this center, in very large
measure, will the citizens of the
District first help their returning
veterans to meet successfully the
impact of these difficulties"
Don't Expect Impossible"
Maynard H. Smith, Congressional
Medal of Honor winner who ac-
cepted the center for the World War
II veterans, said his comrades were
mot too difficult to satisfy. They
don't want and don't expect the i'm
possible. A courteous reception
some understanding and definite
action is all they want" Mr.. Smith
reused some private protest from
representatives of other veterans or
CARNATIONS by appearing in an
American Legion uniform and be-
ginning his remarks with: Greet
ings to present and future members
of the Legion"
Commissioner John Russell Young,
who presented the center to the cit
liens, commended Brig. Gen. Cor
don r. Young, Engineer Commits
sioner, who, he said, took over the
project of improving the center as
soon as he was appointed. The En-
gineer Commissioner said later that