Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-03-28
Civil Defense
Criticism Called
Morale Blow
Deputy Director
Says Sore Spots
Are Being Corrected

A report criticizing the Dis
trict'S civil defense organiza-
ton today was labeled a mon
key wrench thrown into the
works by a group of amateurs"
John Garrett Underhill, jr.,
deputy director of civil defense
for warden services, said the re-
port added nothing to what is
already known about the civil
defense problem here.
Reorganization of the warden
service and extensive changes in
the Office of Civil Defense here
are urged in the report SUBJ
mitted to the District. Commits
sioners by the Citizens Civil
Defense Advisory Council.
Mr.. Underhill, who said he
had civil defense training in
Great Britain, was appointed
last month to the voluntary
chief warden post to correct
the conditions which have long
been known to exist and which
this report now finds fault with"
Records Condition Critized
The report said administrative
records of the warden service
are in dreadful condition" with
filing not up to date, volunteer
workers not listed correctly and
addresses and telephone numbers
Of workers inaccurate or lost.
The committee found an ZAP
parent low state of morale in
the warden service"
I'm boiling mad" Mr.. Under
hill said. This monkey wrench
thrown into the works by a group
of amateurs has created the
gravest i'll feeling possible in the
warden service"
Correction Under Way
1--WE knew these conditions
existed and we are at work try
ing to correct them. Publication
of the report can only serve to
embarrass the warden service
and unnecessarily embarrass the
(District) Commissioners" Mr..
Underhill said.
Major recommendations in the
report are that:
Strong support be given to a
bill now before the Senate that
would allow the District Com
missioners more power in civil
defense matters.
The chief warden position be
made a full-time paid one.
A qualified woman be en-
ployed on a full-time paid basis
to direct women's activities.
A full-time paid position be
created for a qualified training
instructor.
A standard course in civil de-
tense be established in the Dis
trict school system.
A woman's advisory committee
to be appointed to aid the direc-
tors office.
Commission Suggested
A civil defense commission be
created, including the heads of
police, fire, health, welfare, cleo
trical and engineering depart
ments of the city and a number
of Federal agencies, with the
chairman of the Board of Com
misSioners as chairman.
A civil defense information
center be established in a central
downtown location and warden
headquarters Offices be estab-
lished for neighborhood areas.
The advisory council, headed
by P. Y. K. Howat, recommended
that the proposed budget for
1856. now before Congress, be
reviewed to provide the neces-
sary funds for implementation of
the proposals.
Meanwhile, the Civil Defense
Advisory Committee met at the
District Building today to hear
the outline of an evacuation plan
for the District from its Dis
perSal Committee.
Civil Defense Director John E.
Fondahl said after the closed
session that the committee sug-
gested revisions in the plan be-
fore it goes to the Commissioner
for approval. The Advisory Com
mittee will hold another meeting
soon to give the outline a final
look.