Evening star., 1941-10-21
Labor Farley
Urged TO Help
Civil Defense
Auxiliary Force Here
Moy Total $500, Kelly
Tells Conference


Warning that I'VE must be pre-
pared and ready for any emergency"
Edward J. Kelly. acting superin-
tendent of police, last night called
on District residents to support
the civilian defense program here.
He made his appeal in addressing
the Labor Supports National De-
fense Conference sponsored by the
Washington Industrial Union Coun-
ell, held at local c. I. o. headquar-
ters, l407 L street NV.
Reinforcing Mai Kelly's plea,
Harry N. Stull, president of the
Federation of Citizens Associations.
pointed out that New York City and
the Capital probably would be the
two focal points" of any air attack
on the United States by a foreign
foe.
Though it would not be possible
at the present time for an enemy
to send heavy bombers across the
Atlantic, he disclosed War Depart
ment experts had advised him that
planes carrying incendiary bombs
could reach this country, dropping
these over the District like con-
| fetti."
Calls for Preparation.
"We don't want to stir up mass
| hysteria" Mr.. Stull said. "As prac-
tical and realistic people, however,
we must prepare ourselves for the
worst"
Sidney r. Katz. secretary-treas-
urer of the Maryland and District
of Columbia Industrial Union Coun-
Gil, served as chairman of last nights
meeting. Other speakers included
| DR.. Robert R. R. Brooks, labor rep
resentative, priorities branch o. P.
M; G.. James Fleming, field repre-
sentative, Presidents Committee Oh,
Fair Employment Practices, and
/ Mrs. M. o. LorenZ, chairman, Con-
sumner Interests Committee. District
of Columbia Defense Council.
Before adjournment the confer
ence voted it's approval of a state
ment of policy submitted by a SUBJ
committee of the councils Com
mittee on National Defense, re-
affirming the support of Washington
/ labor for the national defense pro-
gram and the reiteration of its firm
! conviction that TO every country en-
gagged in the struggle agains' Hit
lerism must go the full, immediate
support of the United States"
Urges Neutrality Act Repeal.
The statement of policy urged the
repeal of the Neutrality Act. the
arming Of merchant ships. the use
OF the Navy to protect merchant
ships, and resort to strong meas.
ures by the Government to inn
mobilize Japan in the Pacific" in
order TO enable Great Britain ard
Russia TO carry on more effectively
the war in the West.
In opposing Americas defense
/ program" the statement declared.
1T is apparent that the America
First Committee and its spokesmen,
Charles A. Lindbergh and others. are
giving aid and comfort to Hitler.
Labor must make its efforts
count IN the building of morale
| and the civilian defense of our Can
ltal City. We must continue to at
tend to the problems of keeping liv-
ing costs down. of raising the
health, nutrition and recreation
standards of the community, of
| controlling rents and of promoting
the well-being of the educational
| system"
MAJ. Kelly outlined plans for es-
tabllShlng an air raid Wardens' serv-
ice and volunteer auxiliary police
force in the District as part of the
civilian defense program. Initiallv.
the auxiliary police force will be
made up of 1872 volunteers. Later.
he said, it is planned to organize
force five times as large. He
stressed the need for the organ
lzatlon Of this force without delay.
Peril to Labor Seen.
The further advance of Hitler and
the system he represents means the
end of organized labor. the end of
decent civilization and the return
to saVagery and slavery" DR..
Brooks warned. Expressing the
opinion that it may take three
years or more to stop the Nazi
menace, he emphasized the impor-
tance of the cooperation Of labor
and business to assure the success
of the defense efforts.
Two things are essential to de-
feat Hitler, DR.. Brooks told the con-
ference. One is to increase pro-
duction, and the other is to main
tain civilian morale.
Organized labor. in the past. he
declared has failed to realize the
magnitude of the problem which
faces the country. but recently It
has come to better realization of
the requirements of the defense
program.
1T is my hope that labor will
now take its rightful place in the
forefront of the fight against Hit
lerism," he said.
Limited Buying Urged.
Mrs. LorenZ stressed the neces-
sity of maintaining civilian morale.
Food, clothing and shelter are Of
fundamental Importance to consum-
erS, she told the conference.
do not buy things needed for
defense" she said DO not COM
pete for scarce materials. Buy only
what you need. In other words,
act like sensible people in an emer-
gency."
The work of the Presidents Com
mittee on Fair Employment Prac-
tices in seeking to end racial and
other determinations in the defense
program was outlined briefly by Mr..
Fleming. Though much progress
has already been made toward in
tegrating minority groups in the
defense efforts, discrimination still
exists at many points, he said. In
addition to Negroes and Jews. there
have been complaints of discrimina-
ton from other minority groups, he
declared.