Evening star., 1942-11-25
Young Warns Capital
Not 10 Relax lis
Defense Vigilance
Nozis Would Welcome
Chance to Strike at
City, Official Says

NIty, OfficIoi Suys
Cautioning that recent Allied sue
cesses had not lessened the desire
of the Nazis to strike blow at this
Capital, Commissioner John Rus
sell Young, co-ordinator of civilian
defense in the Metropolitan Area
warned Washingtonians last night
against being lulled into false
sense of security.
Mr.. Young spoke while serving as
chairman at meeting of presi-
dents of various District organiza-
tions in the Departmental Audi
torium.
Remember the Capital City is
simply an invitation to our enemy,
and he would like to take a crack
here" the Commissioner declared.
Nazi Strategy Recalled.
He called attention to past ex-
perience in which the Germans fire.
quently have chosen a holiday sea-
son to strike.
The Commissioner introduced
leaders of the community's war
time program who outlined plans
for stepping up the varied phases
OF civilian defense in the District.
The meeting, composed OF ap-
proximately $50 heads of religious,
fraternal and business organiza-
tions, heard stimulating description
of what England is doing and has
done for combating air raid. Maj.
G. j. B. Furness OF Middlesex
County Council, England, spoke on
the subject.
Cites Optimism.
Observing that public optimism
over the war had scared danger
ously in the last few days, Mr..
Young asserted that the District
Civilian Defense organization must
now strive even harder than ever
before so that 1t will never be
caught mapping.
He reported that more than 10000
persons in the District and its sur
rounding area are now engaged In
some type OF civilian defense work,
but that there is still great need for
more auxiliary firemen and police
men, AFRAID wardens, roof spoilers
and the like If sufficient men are
not available as auxiliary firemen,
he said, the officials will turn to re-
cruiting women for these duties.
Commencing all branches Of civil
ian voluntary service, Commissioner
Young cited in particular the work
of the auxiliary policemen.
Every night there are certain
number of auxiliary policemen serv-
ing on the streets We would have
probably had more crimes in the
past year If 1t had not been for
them,' he pointed out.
The Commissioner said hopes are
entertained for buying uniforms for
the auxiliary policemen. but that
the uniforms could not be afforded
at this time On the question of
whether the 1000 voluntary police
men will be supplied with guns, he
explained that because of the prob
lens involved all of the men will
not be outfltted with weapons at
this time.
Selected Group Indicated.
However, he added. sometime
soon a selected group OF auxiliary
policemen may be issued guns after
taking q course in how to handle
them. This is not definite, he as
serted
Mr.. Young praised the civilian de-
fense work in the nearby areas Of
Arlington, Fairfax, Montgomery and
Prince Georges Counties. and Alex
andria. He said the defense setup
may soon also incorporate a part OF
Charles County.
With the memory Of the bombings
of London still fresh in his mind,
Mai. Furness told of a fiat corrugated
bag 2 by ~ feet square, which
Britons pack with sand and throw
effectively at incendiaraies. He also
said the use of strips of adhesive on
windows to prevent augmentation
during bombings has been discon-
tinued. Instead, windows are now
being protected by q cotton mesh
material like net curtain.
L. P. McLacnlen. president Of the
Board of Trade, keynoted his brief
remarks to the meeting by pointing
out that people al over the Nation
are constantly wondering what
goes on in Washington" Now is the
time. he said, to prove to the entire
Nation the civic -mindedneSs of the
people who have come to live here.
Speaking on cooperation between
the military and civilian protective
forces, Brig. Gen. John T. Lewis,
commanding general. military dis
trict Of Washington, stated that the
matter of protection is one of mutual
coslcern and transcends all dif-
ferences
Bolles, Mileham Speak.
addresses were made by Col. Lemuel
Bolles, executive director of Civilian
Defense In the Metropolitan Area,
who opened the meeting: Leonard
L. Tucker, president Of the Civilian
Defense Committee Council: Will
liam ]. Mileham, chief AFRAID
warden, and John j. Hasley, as
sistant executive director Of Ci-
william Defense for the Metropolitan
Area.
The invocation was delivered by
the Right Rev. James =. Freeman,
Bishop Of washington. The Rev.