Evening star., 1950-12-20
Votes
Civil Defense Staff;
.Co-ordinator Sought

Montgomery County Manager
Irving G. McNayr today began
screening applicants for the job of
civil defense co-ordinator.
The County Council yesterday
quickly approved a resolution set
ting up the new Division of Civil
Defense under the Department OF
Public Safety and appropriated
$4,000 for salaries and Office ex-
penses for the six-month period
beginning January l..
simultaneously, the council es-
tablished a Division of Planning to
help county officials discuss "in-
telligently' possible sites for Fed
eral buildings in line with the
Governments dispersal plan. A
$4,000 appropriation for salaries
and other expenses during the
next six months also was approved.
$500 a Year Post.
The civil defense co-ordinator
will receive $500 a year and will
have rank equal to that of the
chief of police.
AS his principal function. he will
organize and promote all measures
for the protection of civilians in
the county. He also will have au-
thority to seek voluntary assist
ants and will maintain liaison with
other county departments whose
primary duties are the protection
Of and rendering of service to the
citizens of Montgomery County"
Mr.. McNayr said it is highly
desirable" that the office be filed
by a retired Army or Navy officer
with vast experience in organiz-
ing and directing personnel"
He added he already has re-
ceived several applications, most
of them from retired military men,
and he expressed confidence that
a person possessing the necessary
qualifications can be obtained ION
practically a volunteer basis"
Called Sensible Approach"
Councilman Harold F. Ham
mond pointed out such a division
also can ''tie in" with disaster re-
lief and described it as a very
sensible approach" to the prob
lem of civil defense.
The present county civil de-
fense director. Edward L. Foster,
Silver Spring attorney, will con-
tinue in supervisory capacity.
Mr.. Foster said last week he would
be unable to take the job of CO.
ordinator on a full-time basis.
The Planning Division, besides
preparing information on sites for
Federal agencies, will assist the
Upper Montgomery County Plan
ming Commission in carrying out
it's program in the rural area.
Set Up Year Ago.
The commission was set up
about year ago to draft master
highway plans and zoning and
subdivision regulations. These
functions are exercised in the
suburban area by the Maryland
National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission.
Employees of the division will in
clude a planning engineer, to re-
ceive maximum of $4,000 a year
Two craftsmen, and secretary.
Mrs. Stella Werner, a member
OF the council. said the division
could take over the planning work
of the Park Commission, if and
when legislation authorizing such
a transfer is enacted by the Mary
land General Assembly, which con-
venes next month.
Bond Request Studied.
In other business, the council
took under advisement a request
by j.. Bond Smith. attorney for
the Park and Planning Commits
sion, that the county guarantee
payment of $4,000 in bonds tc
be issued by the planning agency
to buy park land.
OF the total, $4,000 will be usec
to extend Sligo Creek parkway
from Old Bladensburg road tt
Forest Glen road, and $4,000 fol
Rock Greek Park from the Balti.
more & Ohio Railroad to Viers
Mill road.
Mr.. Smith said the Government
will give The commission an addi-
tional $4,000 for the Sligo Greek
parkway project and $4,000 fol
Rock Creek Park.