Evening star., 1941-12-15
Capital B|ackoui
And Evacuation
Bill Passed
City Heads Given
Brood Powers for
Defense of D. 6.

Without debate, the House this
afternoon completed legislative ac-
ton on the Randolph emergency
defense bill authorizing the Com
missioners, with approval of the
Secretary Of War, to order black
outs in the District and evacuate the
city in event of hostile attacks. 1t
now goes to the White House for
the Presidents signature
The measure, which also gives the
Commissioners broad powers to
command a civilian defense program,
was first passed by the House Fri
day. 1t came back for concurrence
in several amendments adopted by
the Senate when it approved the bill
the same day.
In final approved form, the legis-
lation authorizes the Commissioners
to borrow s1,O0O,0O0 from the Fed
eral Treasury to carry out the civil
ian defense program, and Stipulates
that all expenses in connection with
an evacuation of the District shall
be borne by the United States.
Crimes During Blackouts.
Other features of the bill:
l. Authorizes the Commissioners
to negotiate with Maryland and
Virginia authorities to synchronize
blackouts here and the adjoining
areas Of those States.
2. Doubles statutory penalties for
the crimes committed during black
outs.
g. Authorizes creation of civil
ian auxiliary police force whose
members would serve without pay.
4. Authorizes the Commissioners
to accept volunteer services for the
District government.
Meanwhile, the Senate this after
noon passed the bill making the
District eligible for loan of 81
100000 from the Federal Works
Agency for sewer, water, school or
other facilities made necessary by
the influx of defense workers to
Washington.
Enables Share for d. C.
Although already approved by
the lower branch, the measure goes
back to the House for action on
several amendments, one of which
clarifies the rule by which the
Treasury would determine the rate
OF interest to be charged on the
loan.
The effect of the bill is to enable
Washington to share in the benefits
of the Lanham Act, under which
Congress appropriated $150,000 900
to help numerous communities |
throughout the country meet the |
sudden task of protecting the health
and welfare of the people in rapidly
expanding defense areas
At the District Building, where |
the District Defense Council held |
Q morning long session in Commits
sioner Young's Office, these develop
ments came to light:
Unidentified persons have been
soliciting funds for civilian defense.
There are no authorized fund So
Icitors.
The Commissioners have au-
thorized asking Of bids on nine air
raid horns. They were told that the
money will be available in time to
pay the bill.
Organization of demolition squads
Is complete and. except for a
shortage of some material, they are
ready to function tonight if neces-
sary.
Five thousand proprietors of COM
mercial establishments, industrial
plants and large apartments in the
downtown area have enrolled for
volunteer service during air raids
and the organization of warden posts
in the downtown area is 80 per cent
complete.
Sixty casualty stations have been
spotted throughout the city under
the defense medical program.
The overall defense establishment
has reached the following proper
tions:
Volunteer police-1,201 sworn in.
Training started today. Twenty-fiv
hundred more expected within 10
days.
Volunteer firemen-850 in training.
Twelve hundred ready to start.
Air raid wardens-3,0O0 sworn in.
Five thousand enrolled. Expected to
be sufficiently trained in 10 days to
be ready for an organization test.
Nearby Virginia, 1000 air raid
Wardens.
Nearby Maryland-warden organ
ization complete through each sector
In both Montgomery and Prince
Georges Counties.