The Wrangell sentinel., 1941-12-26


 Wrangen went on double alert basis over the Christmas holiday on receipt of instructions from the 13th Naal District headquarters in Seattle and Alaska Civilian Defense Director Gov. Ernest Gruening Similar pre- cautions were taken along the entire Pacific Coast
 Wrangell Civilian Defense Direc- tor J. R Brown and Mayor E. J. Wheeler took personal supervision and most available men in the com munity were called to duty for some hours during the holiday period. Off, ficials forewarned that these special emergencies may come at any time and every person is expected to res pond promptly Orders come from Navy. Army and Civilian Defense and must be carried out fully in all communities.
 At a special meeting Monday eve ming. the Town Council put full war time defense measures into complete running order when it passed an or dinance giving legal power to Civil Defense volunteers with authority resting in the Mayor. The towns Chief Executive under the ordinance can accept services Of volunteers for protection of the town, deputize them with full authority of law. Failure of any person to conform can be penalized with a fine of S100I or three months in jail or both.
 Meanwhile. the Army put hired glards at the Federal bldg. to pro- tect it's communications and other Federal offices and property Direc- tor Brown announced the resigna-I ton of C. P. MacCreary as head of the volunteer armed guard to ae- eept appointment as an Army guard. He and the Mayor also announced the appointment of Police Chief Chet Lloyd to head up volunteer guard work in MacCreary's stead.
 Council at its meeting also ar ranged to hire guards at CCC pay to patrol the towns water supply and also endorsed the Legion's re- eonmendation to Gov. Gruen,ng that a special session of the Legisla ture be called to set up a permanent Ter ritorial guard for the duration in the various communities.
 Director Brown announced the Legion Auxiliary and now comp1et-I ed plans for evacuation in case of emergency and that shelters had been arranged in case of an actual aerial attack. Women and children would be removed to these shelters 1 in case. of bombing or other emer- gency.
 Brown emphasized that in case of a raid every one stay inside out of sight. He also warned that in the event an unidentified or enemy craft enters the harbOr that no person should take it upon himself to fire at the same without definite orders. l Complete plans are worked out foy such an emergency and orders will be quickly given in such an event to afford the best possible protec- ton. he stressed.
 Communications protection is now working smoothly. he reported, and volunteers are engaged in carrying out the program. Men not engaged l. in actual volunteer guard duty are assigned in this bracket, he explain ed.
 Complete census of supplies in the community, including food, clothing, medical supplies and drugs, fuel, etc., is now being taken, the Director said, at the instance of the Cover nor's office This is being done to determine the need in the various communities throughout the Terri tory for the bringing of repIenishing supplies and works in with the preb- lem of transport, a major one.