Evening star., 1951-01-18
Experts Oppose
Turning Off
GasPiIot in Alert
Advice Contrudicts
Previous Word From
Civil Defense Aides
BY Crosby S. Noyes

BY crosby ,. NoyeS
Washington Gas Light Co. engi-
neers, contradicting previous ad-
vice from civil defense authorities,
today warned home owners not to
turn off pilot lights in case of an
air raid alert.
Civil defense authorities agreed
to the change in official instruc-
tions for gas users. The gas COM
pany engineers had pointed out
the dangers in the original plan
to prevent home fires in case of
an attack. The danger is that
people who do not know how to
turn off pilot lights may blow
them out, with a resulting gas
leakage and the danger of seri-
Gus explosion.
Special Instructions.
In a series of special instructions
to it's customers, the gas company
also advises against turning off
the home gas supply at meters In
case of alert. However, gas range
burners should be turned off, as
we'll as non-automatic appliances,
such as manually operated water
heaters and room heaters.
Only if there is major damage
to the home as the result of a
bomb explosion should the gas
be turned off at the meter, the
experts say. Once turned off, it
should be turned again only by
a trained employe of the gas COM
pany. In case of major damage
to an area, the gas supply can be
turned off by the company at a
central control point, the instruc-
tions say.
Other Developments.
In other developments in the
local and National civil defense
field:
|. Acting District Civil Defense
Director John E. Fondahl called
a meeting of his deputy directors
for field defense operations ito
coordinate and accelerate the de-
tailed planning and organization
of civil defense measures"
Inspector Fondahl pointed out
that present conditions empha-
size the necessity for Immediately
increasing our efforts and speed
ing up our civil defense planning,
organization, training and mobil-
ization procedure. The meeting is
scheduled for 1:30 pm. January
81 in the National Guard Armory.
Civil Defense College Planned.
2. A spokesman for the Federal
Civil Defense Administration re-
vealed plans to take over a site
in the Washington area for a
year-round civil defense staff
training college. The site, prob
ably an existing private school,
is expected to be announced this
week end. the spokesman said.
The school would be set up to
instruct State and local govern
ment officials in the aims of the
national civil defense program in
a short course of about a week.
A longer course will instruct civil
defense directors and key per-
sonnel in procedures and admin
istrative programs approved by
the national authority.
The administration, under the
new Civil Defense law, also has
the authority to carry on techni-
cal training centers on regional
basis to instruct Pathological and
rescue teams. In the Washington
area, this center may be COM
bined with the staff college, if
suitable site can be found, off,
Gals say.
Progress Noted.
3. Col. Thomas J. Hayes, III,
assistant District engineer COM
missioner, told meeting of the
Washington Society of Engineers
that Washington has come a long
way in civil defense planning and
practice in the last six months.
I'VE have been able to further
improve and coordinate our
plans, implement them to limit
ed extent, further develop our
civil defense organization and give
considerable information to our
citizens as to what we are doing
and why" Col. Hayes said. The
speaker is deputy civil defense
director in charge of engineering
services in the District setup.
Will Utilize Radio.
T. The Federal Communications
Commission announced 10 special
frequency bands for the use OF
licensed amateur radio operators
for civil defense activities. The
frequencies would be available
after any suspension of normal
amateur radio activity in the
event of war or national emer-
gency.
The action will make it possible
for State and local civil defense
authorities to make use of anna
teur radio facilities as part
of the defense communications
system.
The frequency bands involved
are: 1,800-2.O00, 3,500-3,510, 1890
1000 kilocycles, and 28.55-28.75,
29.45-29.65, 5035-50.75, 53.35-53.75,
145.17-145.71, 146.79-14733 and
220-225 megacycles.
Hershey 'Greets' SeIectees