Evening star., 1960-01-22
Civil Defense Here
Is Found Improved
Senate Probers
Cite New Plans
For u. S. Liuison

IAACJ 1loO N1oOONCIC Gu Ill dI l6dSu
three Government activities iu
Washington has been corrected.
One point dealt with civil
defense in which former Dis
trict Director John Fondahl
was criticized sharply by the
Senate Investigations Subcom-
mittee for failing to maintain
close liaiSon with Federal Civil
Defense advisers.
In today'S report, Col. Fon-
dahls successor, George r.
RoderickS. was said to be SEEK
ing assistance of Federal ex-
perts in radiation, psychology
ical and medical problems as
matter of routine.
The General Services Ad-
ministration has halted S11
million worth of annual REIN.
burSements from other Govern.
ment agencies for building and
remodeling done by GSA. This
reform Stemmed from a con-
troversy over renovation Of the
former District Emergency
Hospital for the Federal Avia-
tion Agency.
Other Savings Seen
The State Department Is
taking competitive bids for
shipments of household effects
for Foreign Service officers and
an annual savings of about
$150,000 is expected, the SUBJ
committee report estimated.
The report praised the new
system adopted after investi-
gators revealed that two
Washington firms-the Federal
Storage Co. and the Security
Storage Co. together won
three-quarters of State Depart
ment shipping business at fees
higher than those of other
companies.
The new GSA order requires
congressional appropriations
for every building project. This
simply clarifies the law which
was not understood until the
Senate investigation of Emer-
gency Hospital remodeling in
1858.
In connection with this reno
walton, GSA did the work and
told the aviation agency it had
to pay the bill. The aviation
agency had no appropriation
Tor the sum and sought a con-
troller generals opinion. This
held that GSA could not be
reimbursed by agencies for
which it builds.
1T is true that there will
have to be complete revision
OF the working arrangements
between GSA and the various
Federal agencies and that lob
orders averaging $11 million
per year will no longer be rou:
timely handled on a reim-
bursable basis" the report
SAID. "GSA Officials have said
the subcommittee study
has resulted in the clarifca-
ton of a mottled area and
stimulated a consciousness in
government of statutory re-
qulrementS of financing"
! The subcommittee, headed by
Senator Mcclellan. Democrat of
Arkansas, reviewed last sessions
hearings into waste, fraud, cor
rupt practices and incompe-
tence in a number of Govern
ment agencies in the report
filed today.
Legislation Proposed
/ The subcommittee recon-
mended that District Commis-
sloners submit legislation au-
thorizing Civil Defense Direc-
tor Rodericks to seek assistance
OF such Federal experts as he
demS necessary. Such author
lzlng language, considered un-
necessary by most District Of
Meals, is written into proposed
legislation pending before the
Senate District Committee to
unity Civil Defense functions
District Committee Chairman
Bible. Democrat of Nevada. has
promised hearings this session,
Col. Fondahl. who retired
shortly after the Senate hear
ingS last year, maintained that
he had no authority to work
with Federal officials and has
had to rely for expert advice
in District police. medical and
transportation Offices.
Mr.. RoderickS said an eX-
ample of his routine contacts
with Federal officials was the
appointment within the last
month of a Federal Public
Health Service officer to the
District Health Department to
organize a program of emer-
gency medical action. This
week he has had conferences
with the Army, Johns Hop
kinS University. and the Food
and Drug Administration.
Also scored in the report was
the past record of failures to
distribute thousands of Civil
Defense publications, to COM
plete promptly a survival plan
and to install adequate warm
ing sirens. Since the Senate
investigation the Federal Gov.
ernment has set up a $1.6 mil
lion warning system, replacing
240 old horns. A survival plan
has been distributed to Dis
trict residents.