Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-11-03
Wardens Meet
Some Refusa|s
In Shelter Drive
Cooperation General
However, in Capital
Shops and Homes
By MIRIAM GUTENBERG.

By MIRIAM GUTENBERG.
Refusal OF some owners to open
their doors to shelter seekers from
the street during air raids or drills
was disclosed today as District crews
started posting shelter area signs.
Although cooperation in the plan
to provide city-wide protection for
those caught on the street when
the alarm sounds has been gen.
orally good, ofIicials say there have
been several conspicuous instances
of refusals.
One refusal came from a business
hoiuse where an official said he did
not wante people dragging in mud
or snow in bad weather.
Proprietors Of some stores where
there were costly stocks, such as
jewels or furs, also refused, on the
ground their stocks would not re-
ceive adequate protection, according
to Harry N. Stull, who is handling
the shelter arrangements for the
wardens. In Baltimore, where shell
ter arrangements have been COM
pleted, city officials warned store
owners that in case of raid, panic
STRICKEN civilians might break into
whatever shelter they could find.
Acting on that warning, the store
owners made special arrangements,
including the roping of of an aisle
through which shelter seekers could
pass to safety without getting near
the valuables, and stationing en-
ployes or watchmen on 24-hour
guard shifts.
Some Reports Delayed.
Wardens in some areas have been
slow to turn in reports, sometimes
hampered by having to get in touch
with out-of town owners. In the
Dupont area, however, Mr.. Stull re-
ported good results. Nearly 100 own
ers have agreed to grant shelter
space, while about IS have refused.
Cited as an example of unusual
cooperation, officials said, Christian
Heurich, ST., has given permission
for use of his home at Twentieth
street and Massachusetts, avenue
NV. and the Heurich Building at
1927 K street NV, as shelters.
Mr.. Stull said owners of private
homes were inclined to be hesitant
about allowing strangers to come in
and added that he hoped auxiliary
police or wardens could be stationed
at all such shelters.
The afraid shelter survey section
Of the District Engineer Department
actually has surveyed and reported
favorably on 766 buildings. The re-
ports were turned over to the war
den service, which has sent in owner
agreements for Sc full-time and 43
part-time shelters. If arrange
fnents cannot be made to put the
latter on full-time basis. it was
said, a sign in addition to the reg
ular shelter signs will be posted to
show the hours during which the
shelter is available.
According to the shelter section
officials, approximately LOO build
ings taken from underwriters books
originally were considered for shell
ter purposes. The real estate atlas
provided about 300 more. It was
found, however, that three out of
four buildings were not suitable.
$50 Found Suitable.
Volunteer engineers in the various
areas surveyed about 500 of the pro-
spective shelters, out of which about
200 were found suitable on inspec-
ton by the shelter section. The
permanent staff OF the section, en-
larged to IL men, carried on the sur
vey and found approximately $50
more suitable buildings. Section
officials said surveying and report
ing of buildings is continuing at the
rate of approximately 100 week.
At that point, the wardens take
over to obtain permission from own
ers and it is there the bottleneck is
to be found at this point.
Despite the fact that when the
shelter section passed the $50 mark
in its recommended shelters there
was sufficient possible shelter space
for more than 10000 people, officials
admit frankly that even if all the
shelters were made available the
city as whole would not be
covered
Officials are relying heavily on
additional shelter areas, possibly in
private homes. reported by war
dens. These will be inspected by
shelter section engineers and those
least safe in an air raid from the
structural point of view will be
eliminated.
Meanwhile, consent of the Public
Buildings Administration has been
obtained for the use of 50 Federal
buildings as shelters. Areas for
Shelter have already been desig-
mated and signs are soon to be
! placed marking the safe spots.
In non-Government buildings first
and second floor corridors away
from windows have usually been Sc
lected as the safest place for shelter
Public Schools Surveyed.
All 168 public schools have been
surveyed, and locations of shelters
have been reported to the super
intendent of schools. Recommends
tons for the reinforcement of these
shelter areas have also been sent
| to each school with other recon-
mendations for improvised safety
measures in case raid should come
before permanent arrangements
have been made.
Shelter surveys have been COM
pleted or are nearing completion in
the Midcity, West End, Georgetown
Lincoln, Dupont. Kalorama, Mount
| Pleasant, Columbia Heights, Mu-