Evening star., 1941-10-16
Quick Victory
Is Nelson Plea
To Trade Board
AH-Out Effort
Urged; Civil Defense
In D. c. Criticized

An overflow audience of more
than 1000 Washington business and
professional men last night heard
vigorous appeals for an all-out de-
fense effort coupled with a sharp
warning that development of the
Districts civilian defense program
is tagging behind other cities,
Addressing the Board of Trade
at its initial fall meeting at the
Willard Hotel, Donald M. Nelson,
executive director of the Supply
Priorities and ALLEGATIONS Board,
declared that Hitler can be beaten,
but that it was up to the American
people to decide whether the job
shall be done quickly or over long
period of time.
"We've started on a mission
we've got to see that Hitler is
licked asserted the S. P A B..
director. There will be no backing
up. We can go in only one direction
and that's forward, but we've got
to make up our minds to finish it
quickly. or be forced to put up
with the fear of dictatorship and
go on living under priority controls
for many more years"
Sees Acceptance of Hardships.
Mr.. Nelson warned that the
American people haven't expert
enced any real hardships yet. but
added he was convinced the public
will submit to all kinds of hard
ships ''if they realize what is nee
essary and if they know that every
one Is being treated fairly and
alike"
Criticism Of the Districts slow
progress in preparing the means
for protection of civilians in war
time came from Col. Lemuel Bolles,
executive director of the District
Defense Council. Addressing the
board members after they had heard
a representative of the Office of
Civilian Defense give a favorable
report on development of civilian
defense nationally, Col. Bolles said
he didn't want to inject a "sour
note" but that, frankly, the devel-
opment Of stating and implement
tation of this areas program has
not kept pace with other COM
munities"
Without saying so specifically, Col
Bolles indicated that part of the
lag, at least, is in the DEVELOPMENT
and training of auxiliary fire and
police forces. He said 5000 volun-
teers are needed for the auxiliary
fire force and about $500 volunteers
for the supplementary police force.
Must Prepare" Board Told.
In addition. Col. Bolles pointed out,
the District must complete creation
of an air raid warden service. This
phase is being developed by means
OF mass meetings to be held October
70, at which time states of deputy
Wardens will be nominated and
permanent defense committees Or
ganlzed. 1t is planned, he said. to
establish air raid warden services at
every commercial establishment and
all educational institutions.
Mr.. Nelson told the board that it
Is shortages, not priorities, that are
troubling industry today. He said
industries are not going without
scarce materials because thev are
under priority control, but because
Of shortages of those materials.
This Nation, having embarked on
o program of building its own de-
fense and aiding countries resisting
aggression, now finds itself faced
with serious shortages of steel, cop
per, aluminium, magnesium and
other materials, he said, adding that
there's nothing to do but see it
through"
Copper Shortage Critical.
The copper shortage this month.
Mr.. Nelson declared, is critical"
The total supply for the month is
about $4,000 tons. and for the de-
tense program alone, priorities issued
by the Army and Navy call for
144000 tons. He said the total
Legitimate" demand could be esti-
mated at 259,00O tons.
AS result of this condition. Mr..
Nelson said, an order will be issued
shortly curtailing use of copper for
ornamental and decorative pur-
poses-for ash trays, bronze caskets
Gp-sttck cases, among other things.
The S. P. A. B. chief also pointed
out that the Government is pushing
ahead with plans to seize idle stocks
of copper and other metals un-
covered in survey of inventories.
Civilian Defense CIouded.
yny, L.
speaker from the Office of Civilian
Defense, outlined briefly the main
features of civil protection being
developed by his office to meet the
dangers of total war" For some
time. he said, the subject of civilian
defense has been involved in a fog,
"but the sun is coming out now"
Brig. Gen Albert L. Cox, chair
man of the speakers bureau for the
current Red Cross Roll Call, made
an appeal for support of the drive
and predicted that the goal of
100000 members would be reached.
Fred A. Smith, president of the
board, reported that the organiza-
tion now has the largest member
ship in its history and predicted
that the total would be 4,5O0 by
December. He commended Chair
man Thornton w. Owen of the
Membership Committee for his
work.
Guests at the meeting included
Philip Reed, senior consultant in
the Office of Production Manage
ment; Charles F. Palmer. defense
housing co-ordinator, and Brig.
Cen. Charles w. Kutz. engineer