Evening star., 1942-07-14
Trade Unit Asks
Compensationin
Defense Injuries
Committee Holds
Volunteers Vitol
To War Effort

COIHpeIlSdtlOU u pei SOIhS lAJui CA
while engaged in civilian defense
work should be made a Federal re-
sponsibility, a special committee OF
the Public Order Committee of the
Board of Trade reported last night
at dinner-meeting at the Conti-
mental Hotel.
The report. according to Harry j.
Miller, chairman OF the special
group. was approved almost month
ago by the Executive Committee Of
the board.
I'VE felt that such payments
should be made a Federal response
bility because those engaged N vol
uteer services as civilian defense
workers are vital part of the entire
war effort. which itself is a Federal
responsibility" the report stated.
Hope for Early Action.
The committee declared that the
scope of any act to provide such
payments should include injuries
incurred during blackouts, including
practice blackouts. 1--WE held" the
report said, that practice blackouts
are actually preparation for the
real thing, much the same as a
course of training for members of
the armed services
Mr.. Miller told the Public Order
Committee that the report had been
referred to the Law and Legislation
Committee ito study legislation in
troduced into Congress"
TT is our earnest hope that early
and favorable consideration will be
given legislation to properly protect
our civilian defense workers." the
report concluded.
On the motion of David c. Col
lady, the question of arming auxil-
iary policemen was referred to a
special committee The motion was
seconded by Mr.. Miller.
Every Citizen Must Learn.
Herbert A. Friede, superintendent
of the District fire alarm system and
controller of the new decentralized
civilian defense communication sys-
tenn. warned his listeners that
every citizen must learn how to
fight fires. An incendiary bomb can
be easily extinguished II you know
how"
He said it would be necessary for
the Fire Department to lay out
hoses for citizens to use themselves.
In the event of a raid, Capt. Friede
said that you cannot expect city
ito have the manpower to answer
every call" During one day in the
severe bombings of London in 1910
there were 1000 fires reported, he
explained. He pictured the grim
prospect OF certain buildings being
left to burn while firemen fought
blazes at more important OR strate-
gically placed points.
Discussing the public warning
| system, and the difficulties of OBJ
/ tanning sound devices that could be
heard. he said that two of the best
types OF devices had not been OBJ
tanned up to the present time be-
cause OF priorities. The wiring,
however, he said, has been installed
Waiting for Equipment.
"The auxiliary fire force is de-
veloping into a well-trained organ
ization,' Capt. Friede said. Auxiliary
fire stations, he added, have been
selected, the communications in
stalled, and I'VE are only waiting
for. the equipment"
Odell S. Smith, chairman of the
committee for some 70 years, sub
mitted the following nomination of
officers, which was accepted: Mr.
Colladay, first vice chairman;
Charles H. Bates, second vice chair
man; Washington I. Cleveland, third
vice chairman: Elmore Burdette
treasurer; William H. Waters and
E. j. Febrey, assistant treasurers;
Harry Dean, secretary: DIR. A
Magruder Macdonald. assistant sec
retary, and Marie G. Rogers, as
sociate secretary.
Mr.. Bates was named father OF
memorial resolutions for the coming
year"
Representative Luther Patrick
Democrat. Of Alabama, spoke
briefly.