Evening star., 1951-09-11
D. T.. Entrance
Into Mutual Aid
Pact Favored
Commissioners Give
Approval; Ratification
BY Congress Needed

41lC COMMISSIONERS COOdy dP-
proved entrance of the District
into an interstate civil defense
and disaster compact with Mary
land. Virginia and West Virginia,
subject to ratification by Con-
greSS.
The compact. broadly drawn,
lays the foundation for supple
mental agreements later for mu-
tual aid.
The Federal Civil Defense Act
of 1850 called in the Federal Gov
ernment to encourage the States
to enter into interstate mutual
aid agreements.
Northeastern States Adopt Model.
A model compact was adopted
at a meeting of the Northeastern
Interstate Committee on Civil De-
fense of the Council of State Gov
ernmentS.
In general, it provides that the
contracting parties will render
mutual aid in any emergency or
disaster from enemy attack or
other causes, including sabotage
and subversive acts and direct
attacks by bombs, shellfire, and
atomic, Pathological, chemical and
archaeological means.
Today's approval by the Com
missioners followed a meeting of
civil defense officials and legal
representatives of the District and
the States involved. Corporation
Counsel Vernon E. West and his
assistant, Irving Bryan, were the
Districts legal representatives.
The city heads approval was
conditioned on ratification by
Congress, since the District does
not have full authority to enter
into its provisions. Mr.. Bryan said.
Proposed legislation will be
drafted.
Among other things the compact
provides for uniform standards,
practices and rules and regula-
tions. so far as possible, on:
l. Insignia, arm bands and
other designations of civil defense
services.
2. Blackouts and practice black
outs, air raid drills, mobilization
of civil defense forces and other
tests and exercises.
8. Warnings and signals for
drills or attacks and the mechani-
cal devices to be used.
4. Effective screening or ex-
tinguishing of all lights and light
ing devices and appliances.
5. Shutting off water mains, gas
mains. electric power connections
and suspension of other utilities
services.
6. Materials and equipment
used for civil defense purposes in
order to assure they will be easily
interchangeable when used in or
by party State.
Z. Conduct Of civilians and
movement and cessation of move
ment of pedestrians and vehicular
traffic prior to, during and sub
Sequent to drills or attacks.
8. Safety of public meetings or
gatherings.
9. Mobile support units.
The compact provides for re-
endorsement for a State giving
aid in another State for any loss
or damage or expense incurred in
the operation of equipment an
swering request for aid and for
the cost incurred by such requests.
1t provides that any party State
giving aid may assume the cost,
or may loan the equipment or
donate the services to the receiv-
ing State.
Also, two or more party States
may enter supplementary agree
ment establishing a different allo-
cation Of costs among them.
Federal Relief Planned.
In addition, the United States
Government may relieve the State
receiving aid from liability and
reimburse the State supplying civil
defense forces for compensation,
transportation, subsistence and
maintenance while giving aid out
side the State.
The Government also may pay
for the use of the supplies, ma
terials, equipment or facilities,
according to provisions of the
compact.
Plans for orderly evacuation and
reception of the civilian popula-
ton are to be worked out from
time to time between representa-
tives of the party States and the
various local civil defense areas.