Evening star., 1951-03-08
Trade Board Warned
Against Dangers Of
Removing Agencies

A mass exodus of the Federal
Government from Washington
would be more disastrous on eff
cient administration than an
atomic bomb attack, Jess Larson
General Services administrator
told the Board Of Trade last night.
Mr.. Larson described the dis
persal plans Of the Federal Gov
eminent as he spoke at the gen.
eral membership meeting at the
Maydower Hotel at which the
Commissioners Awards for Valor
were presented to 20 policemen
and firemen.
Mr.. Larson said dispersal OF
key Federal agencies to areas
within 20 miles of the Capital
could be accomplished without
serious .dislocation to individuals
and the economy of the city.
He warned, however:
'The impact upon efficient gov
eminent. the desolation OF the
city's economy. and the psyche
logical effect upon the people
which would result from the
abandonment Of our historic
Capital would undoubtedly be
more catastrophe than the dam
age from an A-bomb."
Personal Contact Vital.
He said there was no substitute
for personal contact between the
President, the heads of Federal
agencies and the Congress If the
Government is to be conducted
efficiently.
Mr.. Larson pointed out that
the number of persons employed
in the Washington area was 642,-
600. He said only 100000, or "a
per cent were employees of the
executive. legislative and judicial
branches of the Federal Govern
ment.
He explained that the number
OF persons employed in wholesale
and retail establishments, finance
insurance, real estate and miscel-
laneous services exceeded the
number of employees of the Fed
eral Government by 10000 and
was 81 per cent Of the total. In
addition. he said, 100000 were
employed in construction, manu-
featuring, transportation and
other utilities. accounted for II
per cent of the total. Mr.. Larson
added that the remaining II Der
cent were employed by the bis
trict, foreign legations, private in
stitutions. and as domestics in
private homes.
Dispersal Plan Explained.
I cite these figures" he said
TO show that dispersal can be
achieved without serious disloca-
ton to individuals and the econ
omy. since on the basis of the
proposals to disperse $4,000 to
10000 persons only II per cent of
the total of Federal employees and
8 per cent of the total of all en-
ployes would be affected"
Mr.. Larson pointed out that the
dispersed areas win continue to
be part Of the greater WASH
lngton community, since they will
be connected with the center of
the city and with one another by
fast, modern highways.
He added that he was not pre-
pared to predict that an overall
reduction in traffic congestion
would result, "hut do believe that
dispersal will help to keep the sit
uation from getting worse
He also said that eventually. II
was hoped the dispersal program
would make it possible to rid
Washington Of the "unsightly and,
IN view OF the danger Of fire in an
atomic attack, unsafe temporary
wooden buildings"
Fleming Reads Citations.
Robert v. Fleming, chairman Of
the Commissioners Award Com
mittee and past president Of the
Board of Trade, read citations
accompanying presentation of
Awards OF Valor to 20 policemen
and firemen. The awards were
given by Maj. Robert j. Barrett,
superintendent Of police, and Fire
Chief Joseph A. Mayhem, who ex-
tended congratulations, along with
F. Joseph Donohue, who early last
night was confirmed as a District
Commissioner by the Senate.
Members Of the Police and Fire
Departments are selected each
year by the Commissioners for
bravery in line OF duty and award
ed medals authorized by Congress
back in 1929. The Gold Medal IS
the top award, the Silver Medal
next and the Bronze Bar for third
highest.
Given for distinguished service
the awards. and what they consti-
tuted, went to the following police:
,op pyt: 81 Clarence W. Knots. third precinct,
FIRST precinct. bronze bar: Pvt Thomas [.
s9Hsder. pts,,. 18th precinct; silver medal: sergt.
| medal; Pvts. James Salt. IT,, third precif,ct.
and and Robert Foright, third precinct. oral
Douglas M. Smith. 10th precinct, oral
communication; Pvts. Tilmon B. OBryant
| and Elroy A. Short. second precinct. oral
and Carmen Longo. frst precinct; Pvts.
Ralph W. Holder and Edward L. Cave,
| Tranic Division, and Pvt. James J. Nc
reau, oral commendation..