Evening star., 1950-12-21
.D.C.toDistribute
School Manual
On Civil Defense
Corning Tells Board
City Heads to AIIot
$4,000 for Booklet
By Colt HendIey, Jr.

produced in quantity for use
throughout the city as we'll as in
schools.
The Board of Education yester-
day approved use of the manual
in the schools. 1t is entitled
"ABCs for Civilians - Attitudes
and Behavior for Civil Defense"
School Supt. Hobart M. Corning
told the board members that the
Commissioners had decided to al
lot $4,000 of civil defense money.
which they do not have at pres
ent, for printing the booklets. In
addition. DR.. Corning said, the
school officials have produced a
400-word "dodger," which is now
in the hands of the city heads.
This dodger also would be pro-
duced in great numbers for post
ing around town in strategic
places. It, too. tells what to do in
case of an atomic bomb attack.
The Commissioners today sent
the dodger to Maryland and Vir-
ginia civil defense authorities for
comment as it probably will be
distributed in the Metropolitan
Area.
The manual was prepared under
the general supervision of DR..
Corning and the Right Rev. Msgr.
John S. Spence, director of edu-
cation for the Catholic arch
diocese of Washington. DR.. Carl
F. Hansen, associate superin-
tendent in charge of curriculum
planning of the public schools,
had general charge of the project.
A special committee of school
teachers did the spade work.
For Classroom Work.
Once the manual is available,
teachers will work the material
into the classes so that all school
children will know something Of
what is expected in case of an at
tack.
In another action, the board
authorized DR.. Corning to fill the
vacant spot of supervisor of the
penny milk and school lunch pro-
gram. This program, which has
been under the direction of the
Board of Education for only few
months. also is concerned with the
distribution of surplus foods from
the Agriculture Department.
1t has been a source OF many
headaches for DR.. Corning, since
Adelbert w. Lee, board vice presi-
dent. is convinced the program is
being badly handled.
Mr.. Lee yesterday recommended
that a survey be made of the pro-
gram by an outside expert. This
was voted down by the board.
Mrs. Philip Sidney Smith declared
such an outside expert was not
needed. since the man hired to
take the job would be an expert
and could handle the whole thing.
A majority agreed with her.
She also disagreed with another
recommendation made by Mr.. Lee
that supervision of the program
be placed under the schools busi-
ness department, rather than un-
der DR.. Corning.
Compromise Adopted.
Dr.. Corning, who wanted the
program under his direct super
vision. contended it would invade
mis- prerogatives as school superin-
tendent if the board assigned spe-
cific work to his assistants. AS a
compromise, he suggested that the
existing Advisory Committee to
the business department be put
over the food distribution pro-
gram. To this the board agreed.
The committee consists of the
majority of DR.. Corning's staff.
The chairman is Adelbert w.
Heinmiller, DR.. Corning's assist
ant, who is in charge of the busi-
ness department.
DR.. James A. Cannon said he
felt the effort of the board to take
it out of DR.. Corning's hands was
most humiliating,' that the su-
perintendent is responsible and
should have the responsibility.
Both Mr.. Lee and DR.. Phillip T.
johnson were critical of the pro-
gram and said it needs some one
with business sense to run 1t. Mr..
Lee. after the vote. declared: Il
only hope I don't find other ir-
regularities as I've been finding
them lately"
Mr.. Lee also said it is a much
greater problem than anyone
realizes" He suggested that DR..
Corning keep c. Melvin Sharpe.
board president. advised Of all de-
velopments in the food distribu-
ton program. particularly "ir-
regularities."
Two Schools Transferred.
In other actions. the board:
l. Voted to transfer the Ludlow
and Maury Elementary Schools
to colored students to relieve over
crowding and part-time classes in
that area of Northeast which is
west of the Anacostia River.
2. Approved language of bill
that would set up a central cafe
terra system for the schools. The
cafeterias now are operated as
separate businesses by the princi-
pals, with no central control.
3. Heard a report from DR..
Corning that it is inadvisable to
open a night school at Anacostia
High School because enrolment
IN other night schools is dropping.
He said study will be made to
see whether the night school at
Chamberlain should be trans
ferred to Anacostia at some later
date.
4. Retired Mrs. Kathryn S.
Flucher. a teacher at Western
High School, and Edward H.
Lawson, teacher at the Shaw
T,,, ri,