Evening star., 1942-09-03
Protection PI an
Expanded for
u. 5. Buildings
Emergency Program
includes Zoo and
st. EIizobeth's
By CARTER BROOKE JONES.


out the country against AFRAID and
sabotage hazards were announced
today by Brig. Gen. Philip B.
Fleming, Federal Works admins
TRAITOR.
While some of the prescribed pre-
cautions have been in effect since
last December. because emergency
speed was necessary, others are just
being completed or have yet to be
installed, Gen. Fleming explained.
District Government buildings are
included in the measures devised by
two interdepartmental committees,
organized under the direction of
w. E. Reynolds, commissioner of
public buildings, Federal Works
Agency. Several members of the
committee visited England for an
intensive study of methods in use.
The measures include splinter
proof shelters and roof and wall
reinforcing to protect employees
from falling debris and nearby ex-
plosions.
Act to Prevent Escapes.
Means of averting escape from
AlcaMaz and other Federal prisons
and from institutions for the Grim
inal insane and leper colonies are
mentioned specifically. The report
also refers to the need of preventing
dangerous animals from escaping.
Prevention of escape" said the
FWA protection code, lis one of the
serious problems common to all in
stitutions where criminals, insane
persons or dangerous animals are
housed. Electrically charged fencing
for certain prison classifications
may be considered practicable and
desirable.
Escape in the event of preached
walls may be prevented by the pro-
vision OF reserve stocks of wire
fencing materials. In certain insti-
tutions where marginal areas are
ample, the use of wire fencing. ar
ranged in successive rings, will serve
to prevent escape.
At the Office of Ray L. Huff.
superintendent of District penal
institutions, it was said that
thorough precautions had been
taken both to protect prisoners and
prevent escape. Defense stats have
been trained at the District Jail,
the Lorton j Refermatory and the
Occoquanl Workhouse. Oficials said
they did not want to tip on po-,
tential saboteurs to exactly what
means had been taken to avert
wholesale escapes, although 1t was
felt that everything possible had
been done.
DR.. Winfred Overholser. SUPER
intendent of st. Elizabeth's Hospi-
tai, said trained AFRAID force of
adequate numbers was ready to
protect patients and prevent them
from escaping. He explained, how
ever, that it was more matter of
protecting the patients than the
public, since he regarded very few
OF the inmates, even among some
200 criminal insane, as dangerous.
There are, however, more than
1000 patients at the Government
mental hospital, and some of the
buildings are of materials which
would be vulnerable to bombs. But
the staff is doing everything pos
sible In precautionary way. Prac-
oice elackouts are observed 100 per
cent and patients have been drilled
In following attendants to the safer
areas when the sirens wall.
Precautions Taken at Zoo.
DR.. Arthur Mann, director of the
National Geological Park, has made
his keepers, if not the animals, raid
conscious. Certain precautions in
the way of strengthened Enclosures
have been taken. But DR.. Mann
and his staff do not feel that the
Zoo presents much of a danger tc
the public in case it should be hit
by stray bombs.
An aide commented that few OF
the Gagged creatures would bother
any one if they did get out, ano
most of these only If they were
cornered. The large mammal house
where the lions, tigers, leopards anC
other big cats are kept, is sur
rounded by deep moat, which
would make it difficult for them
to get away il a bomb did shattel
some cages.
1t is a matter of record. this
spokesman said, that only three
zebras and some ravens escaped
from the several ZOOS in the Londor
area during all its raids.
The FWA statement said with
reference to institutions: Equip
ment such as cutting torches ant
saws should be available for purpose.
OF rescuing inmates trapped as s
result of bomb effects. In the cast
of penal institutions, the emphasis
on cutting torches and heavy liftinl
equipment is important Chute
should be installed or extension lad
ders should be on hand for rescu,
work.
Primary means for the prevention
of escape will consist of providin,
additional guards or methods TO
calling in guards who would normal,
be off duty, but who could be de
tailed to stand by during period
when raids are expected. Due con
sideration should also be given t
the provision of secondary means O
exit in case the primary means be
come blocked during occurrence o
bombing damage"
No Camouflage Attempted.
Gas protection and decontamina
ton are not covered in the two code
dealing with types of protection
prescribed Camouflaging of Fedora
buildings will be undertaken "onl
when required by the military au
thorities and executed unoer thei
direction
Congress appropriated $2,500,00
for the Public Building Administra
ton to initiate the protective pro
gram. Commissioner Reynolds es
timated that the codes, intended a
general guide, would apply t
10000 buildings and portions @
structures in Washington an
throughout the country.
Government -owned utilities an
other utilities vital to the Govern
rnent unless otherwise protected