Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-20
Funds for 50 Million
Gas Masks Sought
For Civilian Defense
La Guordio Says Army
To Rule on Needs in
U. S. Target Areas

An appropriation estimate cover
ing $4,000, 900 gas masks for civilians
in target areas" has been presented
by the Office of Civilian Defense to
the Budget Bureau. O. c. D. Direc-
tor La Guardia told a press confer
ence here yesterday.
He made it clear that before the
Budget Bureau sends the o. c. D.
budget to Congress, the Army will
be called on the decide whether
the masks are necessary.
They would cost S375 each, he
said, and would be given free to
civilians. He specified that the tar
get areas" wouid include anywhere
from $50 to BOG miles in from each
coast line, including the Gulf of
Mexico
The Budget Bureau had previous
ly been given a 77,000,0 900 o. c. D
estimate.
Five Types Designed.
Five types of gas mask have
been designed by the Army to meet
civilian needs, he said They in
clude baby protectors, Mickey Mouse
masks for children from 2 to
3 years old. small child masks
for those from 3 to 10 or u years
old, small adult masks for people
with small faces. particularly
women, and universal adult masks
He indicated that the 5O,O0OO 900
masks would only be the first con-
Segment but said that after the
money was appropriated, it would
take several months to get them
made and into the hands of the
Wearers.
Asked if wearing the masks would
be made mandatory, he responded,
We certainly aren't giving masks
out as souvenirs"
In his first Washington press con-
ference since the war, Mayor La
Guardia surveyed what has been
done and is being done in the in
terest of civilian defense and COM
mented that mo matter how much
time We have, We won't have enough
time"
Asked about his conference yes
terday with local civilian defense
officlals. he said, Il think things
Will commence to move now. There
Is no question but that they don't
have sufficient equipment"
Fair Treatment" for ID. c.
During his District Building con-
ference, he gave assurances that the
Capital will be treated fairly and
adequately in the allotment of funds
for public protection.
No city in the country. the d.
rector said, has sufficient freight
ing equipment. He pointed out that
the bill to pToyides some of the
| civilian defense materials had been
reported favorably although it would
take some time to get the equipment
after the orders were placed.
Several times. he pointed out. he
had been ridiculed, once only a few
weeks ago when he asked for vital
supplies for civilian defense.
He emphasized, in his roundup of
civilian defense activities. that no
air raid alarm is sounded until the
Army gives the signal. He COM
mented that he had been criticized
in New York because of the sound
ing of the afraid alarm there. but
added, I'VE don't question 1t If we
get it from the Army. They're in q
position to know"
Sirens Prove Problem.
One defense problem, he said, was
| procuring air raid sirens that would
give sufficient warning. Few such
devices. he explained, are on the
market It would require a lonl
time, he said, to wire horns to nghI
posts.
| Clarifying the difference between
air raid conditions and a night!
blackout, he said that when al
alarm is sounded, the streets are t.
be cleared and activity paralyZed
During a blackout, normal activitie
should proceed as usual, he added
Describing the blackout in Seattle
which he visited on his West Coas
swing last week. he said that tn,
first night the airplane plant wa
shut down. That was not supposed
to happen, he said.
He said he was pressing anc
pleading and begging" for intensiv,
training of air raid wardens ane
emphasized that he didn't believ,
enrolment and lectures wer,
enough.
He criticized the press for pointing
out the differences in the order
given out by o. C. D. and by loca
defense officials and said the diff
ference was due to- local conditions
Severity Recommended in Crimes.
He said he was not holding bacl
anything that he believed people
should start preparing now since
modern warfare is such that no ont
can take chances.
Asked about crime and lootins
during blaCkoutS, the o. c. D. di
rector said that police would hav,
to be much more vigilant and "ver.
severe" if they catch any one loot
ing during a blackout.
Discussing the difficulties of warn.
ing the people about air raids, h
said a radio device had been de
veloped by which a bell would RIM
in a small box and the messag
would be given. If he could get tn
deyice into rrodIlction he said N