Evening star., 1942-02-18
Raid Defense Steps
Already Taken Here,
Bo|Ies' Aide Reports
= Siren Hookup Needed
To Garry Out Lands
Six-Point Program

After examining six-point pro-
gram submitted by Civilian Defense
Director James M. Lands for boil
stering Washington's preparation
against air attack, a spokesman for
Col. Lemuel BoIles at local defense
headquarters reported today that
some of the suggested steps have
already been taken and others are
near completion.
The principal recommendation
which remains to be carried out i,
the holding of large scale drill!
based upon hypothetical incidents.
This move awaits installation of al
the Al sirens which are now in town
and their hookup to a single alarm
system, 1t was said. Thirty raid
warning sirens are ready for oper-
alton, but would have to be set
screaming individually. by policemen
dispatched to the scene, 1t was ex-
planned.
&u1. bdnAko ou6SCoeAoAio WCAS cSAs
to Commissioner Young, who for
warded them to Col. Bolles. The
o. c. D. director said the recon-
mendations occurred to him after
he had "the pleasure the other
night of inspecting some of the
measures taken to provide passive
protection for the city"
Together with comments on them
at Col. Bolles' office, the recon-
mendations follow:
Control Headquarters.
l. The installation of control
center headquarters. Such sys-
tenn, said Col. Bolles' spokesman,
lis set up, is in operation, and does
work "A hours a day" but is still
incomplete.
2. The giving of a series of COM
mand post exercises at the control
centers. This has not been done,
and Is needed to establish teamwork
of the various defense branches, it
was admitted. 1t will be done be-
fore the month is over, the spokes-
man said.
3. Development of a series of
general orders to all members of the
Citizens Defense Corps so that in
the event of an alert, these persons
will know at least initially what post
to take or what particular duty to
perform" The spokesman for local
headquarters contended, in response
to this, that the matter has been
cared for. Scores Of thousands of
printed and mimeographed inStruc-
tions, in As distinct editions, have
gone out, he said.
4. Development of means of COM
munication to transmit as rapidly as
possible the alert to these forces.
The local spokesman declared that
I'VE think we've done good bit on
this-don't think we've finished 1t
up" Not all "privates" in the de-
fense force are reached by direct
line of communication, and probably
they never will be, it was stated.
Mobilization Drills.
5. A series of mobilization drills
for the forces, followed by drills
based upon hypothetical incidents.
Small scale drills in Government
buildings, apartments and indus
trial and commercial establishments
have been conducted, it was replied,
but big drills wait on the sirens.
6. Making plan to bring about
the necessary degree of "obscura-
ton" for the city within a short
period of time; with the military and
o. c. D. consulted on what is the
necessary degree of observation and
the proper time within which to
achieve it. The Bolles' spokesman
reported that such consultation has
already taken place, but standards
have not yet been decided on def
nitely. Cutout switches for street
lights have been installed, 1t was
reported at the District Building.
Mr.. Lapdis made his suggestions
public yesterday, declaring that
Washington is to 'be highly recon-
mended" for progress already made