The Nome nugget., 1942-07-06
Washington Current Comment


 its inhabitants sometimes fail to notice them, in the aggregate Moreover it is often assumed that what is going is of interest to the outside world h. quires from readers of this column lead to think that at least far Washington is concerned nei- ther lack of attention to the details of life in the cap ita of the nation the assumption that one cares to hear about them, is fully justified
 Profting by the experience of Pearl HarbOr, Wash ngton although difficult to from it's sophsti- cated calm is bestrring itself in earnest The flood lamps longer brighten the dome of the capitol and the Washington Monument longer raises ghost ly but visible form into the night The airport is close to the Monument, distance is measured by time of air flight goes, but reddened and gloWerng eye at the apex avators that the high masonry struc- ture like the Star Spanged Banner in Keys poem, is still there
 Buried beneath the surface of a highway called the Conduit Road is the big tube that brings water dis tance of twenty miles into the city. Distributed along it soldiers, not always of fierce martial ap- pearance, but in every instance outfted in such way to call to mind the od western frontier adage that although the Declaration of Independence was misa- en about all men being equal, MT. Colt had evened things up.
 Although there still is plenty to see, the aforetme promiscuous rambling through many public buildings is end Those who cross bridges although seldom stopped under military surveillance The side walk through the White House grounds passing within the cast of hand grenade of the Executive offices has ceased to be Tree fOot-Way, to be used by anyone wishing to make short cut Excavation and construc- tlon work going forward the White House area but naturally enough blueprints and specifications are not being distributed and the public has to be content with the information or SurmSe that bomb proof shelter for the President and those associated with him In authority is going, not up but down.
 In some instances, entire working units have been removed from Washington but up to this time they are small, relatively few and those with which the public at large has extended or frequent contact The older, peace-time agencies have been little dis turbed. In connection with the Patent office for ex- ample, all essential machinery for searching, filing, etc, will remain as before Generally stated Wash mgton will continued to be the center of patent activity
 Blackout practice is we'll under way, hampered by the lack of sirens that be heard in all parts of the city, shortening soon to be remeded The citizen who scrupuousy darkens the house. forgetting to turn out the porch light hears the Warden's signal at the door, ranging from a touch of the bell to a violent humping. The tops of some street lamps are being blackened leaving only a zone of light at the bottom, an arrangement which, probably, soon will become of general application In short Washington collectively or individually is asking no special priv Hedges, and no immunity from the slight inconven- fence that prudence and cooperation suggest
 There is much buiding both of the temporary and permanent sorts Apartment houses and similar struc- lures are being taken for government use some times in advance of completion. A lot noted to be vacant on Sunday afternon stroll is likely to have upon it barn-like but highly useful building well to- ward completion by the time the next Sabbath comes around.
 Housing is receiving attenton especially on the outskirts of the town and the Potomac in Vr- gina. The crowd is dense at quitting time, and the number of newcomers is large, but to all appearances the government intends to see to it that those whom it calls here for duty will not have to sleep in the park
 Such the nature of the information that readers of the Comment seem to require It is regretted that lack of space forbids greater detail
 It is alleged that the papers in Rome speak highly of the American defense of the Philippines. good word IS in order although it hardly to be expect ed from an Italian quarter With Hitler rushing to the front in what many believe to be an effort to save lost cause, and with the Duces plan for an African empire flat tire, the Axis be said to be pros pering, The United Nations movement likewise bodes no good for the Axis. Italian praise for American military conduct may be sincere, and it may be simply