Evening star., 1950-08-29
Renewed Fight
ForCiivi| Defense
Funds Slated
Senate Committee
To Hear District
PIeo for $2o0, 900

DAotA Nv dOtAlOk1GICS Will have
chance at Senate Appropriations
Committee sessions this week to
renew their fight for a $290, ,0OC
civil defense fund for this city
committee sources said today.
The committee scheduled a
closed meeting for this morning
on the $l6.7 billion supplemental
appropriation bill, passed by the
House last Saturday in a form
that slashed the Districts civil de-
tense fund from $500. 900 to $780,
900.
While it was uncertain that the
Senate committee would take ur
the District fund section today
some members said they were sure
the matter would be discussed
thoroughly within a few days
They added that District spokes-
men also will be invited to testify
Hearings Requested.
The Commissioners already have
said they would request hear
ings. National Security Resources
Board officials have declared a cut
to $4,000 would "stymie" the Dis.
trict's well-advanced plans for civil
defense. District officials contend
$4,000 would permit nothing but
paper planning"
Several Senate committee mem.
bers indicated they want to study
the problem more closely before
committing themselves. But there
reportedly are some who believe
that more than $4,000 should be
provided.
The House last Saturday re-
versed itself in cutting the Dis
trict's civil defense fund. The
day before. sitting as a commit
tee Of the whole, it voted "a to
66 to raise the fund from $50, 900
to $290,000. The House Ap-
preparations Committee had low
cred it to $4,000 earlier in the
week.
Vote Upholds Committee.
BY a 141 to 78 vote Saturday,
the House upset the Friday vote
and upheld its appropriations
committee.
Brig. Gen. Gordon r. Young
Engineer Commissioner, believes
that, If there is need for civi,
defense program here, the city
will require $4,000 now and -"s
good deal more later"
Gen. Young said yesterday the
Commissioners intend to push
their request for $3.50, 900 to get
q civil defense program under
way here. The $4,000 would
provide only for q director, two
clerical workers and paper plans.
he said.
Either there is or there is not
a need for preparing washington
against possible enemy attack
sometime in the next few years.
Gen. Young declared.
Ought To Start At Once
"Tf there is such a need, We
need 100000 and. later on, q
great deal more. And we ought
to start at once. If there is moi
such a need, we shouldn't waste
money preparing for an imaginary
one.
1T is up to the Federal Govern.
ment. the Administration ane
Congress to decide whether tn,
need exists.
In my personal judgment. tn,
National Security Resources Boars
is correct in urging that the Ma.
tion's cities and States face up t,
the problem Of civilian defense.
Gen. Young's statement cam,
as the District Medical Societ,
announced plans for an atomi,
defense education program of it
own. in cooperation with tn,
Army Surgeon Generals Office.
The society will conduct a IL
hour lecture series in the Interio
Department auditorium. Lecture
OF three hours each will be hell
at 8 am. and z pm. on Septembe,
%. 26 and 20. City government
officials in the Washington are.
have been invited, as well as medi
cal. nursing and pharmacy groups