The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1950-07-20
CHAM Err HEARS
OF civil DEFENSE
PLANS FOR ALASKA

about plans 10 organize Alaska
communities for self-aid in an
emergency, from the Director of
Civil Defense for the Territory.
Col Joseph D. Alexander gave
practical, informal discussion which
included frank talk about civilian
evacuation (no) and evacuation of
military dependents yes, as well
as the role OF the Alaska National
Guard in case of disaster attack.
Civil Defense pins" he said, ARE
more than your business and mine,
and everybody's Civil Defense is
an insurance policy. There have
been cases in which hundreds OF
persons persisted who could have
been saved had there been a def
mite plan of action. We are using
Civil Defense plans such as were
used in World War H."
Colonel Alexander emphasized the
distinction between active defense
combat against an enemy, strictly
military matter-and passive de-
tense, the actions of civilians TO
protect themselves.
After Gov. Ernest Gruening's
proclamation providing for Civil
Defense set-up and a meeting OF
representatives with the Governor
two weeks ago in Anchorage for
overall planning, Colonel Alex
ander wrote Alaska mayors to urge
separate defense set-ups.
After the meeting, Mayor Waino
Hendrickson said that such Civil
Defense organization for Juneau
will be an important matter for
consideration at the City Council
meeting tomorrow night.
With the help of an Advisory
Council, Alexander is preparing
Civil Defense Manual for Alaska,
complete with dos. don'ts and
diagrams.
Advisory Council members are
Neil Friedman, Robert Haag, Per-
ry Hobbs, Larry Parker, Floyd
Guertin and Henry Harmon.
The Civil Defense director hopes
that all rumors of general evacu-
alton may be dispelled. He dis
courages a policy of evacuation,
saying that Cd nothing would be
gained; 90 should there be war,
the people already here and es-
tablished, would be needed in the
war effort; 90 if Alaskans were
to leave their homes and businesses,
where would they go?
However" said Colonel Alex
ander, you are entitled to know
that there should be evacuation of
military dependents. Why? Be-
cause most military dependents live
right on the target. should there
be war. They could be of no use:
they actually would be in the way
and definitely impair efficiency.
THE main thing now" he said
lis to try not to interrupt our
everyday life, but to be prepared
should there be need for it,
fry Alexander mentioned that the
Alaska National Guard has units
in IS localities, and that they
should be employed as units, rather
than having Guardsmen inter-
spersed with civilians. He re-em-
phasized the responsibility of CIV
ilians to make Civil Defense self
contained"
A postwar report from across
the world was given by Al zenger
who has just returned from 6
month in Germany and Austria.
People keep asking me about
conditions and how the German
people feel" said .Zenger. why
they feel the same as we do or
one important subject: they do no,
want war"
Zenger called conditions in Ger
many pitiful, describing the ruined
buildings, the meager fare on which
the average family subsists and the
lack of hope for the future.
Just, let any unsatisfied Amer
leans go there he suggested. lie
them talk to those who wen
through the last war and the ont
before that, and who expect an
other one"
Zenger illustrated his little tall
with personal anecdotes touching
on domestic life, unemployment .anC
general living conditions. He be
lieves that Austria has mucl
better chance of swapping out o
it, than Germany.
In the absence Of President Rob
ert Boocheyer, Vice President \
E. Green presided at the Luncheon
meeting in the Baranof Gold Room
The only visitor was Salvation
Army 1t. Norman Steinig, who sue
ceeds, Capt, Henry. Lorenzen here
q The group enthusiastically applaud
f., ed a short tribute to Lorenzen'
-, contributions to the communit
!. and good wishes for his successor.
Reporting on the cessation 0
+: barge service by the motor vesse
r, Chilkoot, just at the height of tn
r, tourist season, Secretary Fred East
augh said the c. of c. commute
had reason to believe operation