Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-05-08
Basement Areas
Held Dangerous
In A.Bomb Raid
Federal CD Aide
Says Tests Upset
Sofety Theory
BY Crosby S. Moves


today.
Raymond D. Spencer, director
of the FCDA shelter division, out
lined the results of recent research
in shelter design before confer
ence of nearly 1000 national lead
erS today in the Hotel Statler.
In large structures, he said, 1.-THE
best shelter can usually be found
near the core of the buildings, be-
tween ground level and four stories
from the top"
Home Easements Hazardous.
AS for private homes, the expert
noted that certain publicity has
been given to the use of basement
areas as protection against atomic
attack"
These areas are generally haZ-
ardous unless strengthened against
building collapse or unless lean-to
type shelters are provided within
the basement to shield from fall
ing debris" he declared.
The speaker said it is believed
communal type shelters will be
required in practically all indus
trial areas, as existing buildings
are generally not a type that pro-
videS proper protection"
Halfway Measures Not Enough.
At a luncheon winding up the
two-day conference, Gov. Warren
of California declared that civil
defense today has IAN entirely
new status in the defense of our
country"
1T becomes a fourth and full
f1edged component in National
Defense" he said. Its course
must be charted into future that
no man can foretell."
Gov. Warren, often mentioned
as a Republican presidential can
didate, told his audience that
halfway measures will not suffice
in organizing for civil defense
"a partial civil defense program is
no program. Either we are pre-
pared or we are unprepared," he
declared.
No Place for Quibbling.
Gov. Warren added: There is
no place for quibbling about de-
tails or grousing at other agencies
of Government because their
jobs are not completed. I admit
to complaining about Congress fol
not appropriating more promptly
the funds necessary for program
commensurate with the serious
ness of the situation and I still
believe such action is essential if
the people are expected to joir
Fundamentally in the program.
At panel discussion on civil
defense education this morning
DR.. Dwayne orion, head of the
agency's training and education
division, announced that the Uni
verSity of Virginia had been Sc
lected as the site of the Fedora
Civil Defense technical training
school for the Eastern United
States. Courses in tactical train
ing and rescue operations will be
conducted in the university unit
facilities for the school can be
provided at the former Longwooc
school near Olney, Md, he said
Last night, delegates were tolc
by President Truman that "tht
lives of many millions of our fel
low-citizens may depend on thu
development of a strong civil de-
Tense"
Mr.. Humans speech before the
leaders of more than $50 nationa
organizations emphasized that the
present foreign policy of the
United States as we'll as organiza.
ton for civil defense, is aimed al
protecting American cities from
the horrors of an atomic attack
A major portion of the address!
was devoted to a defense of oul
course in the Korean war.
Bombs Could Be Dropped.
Delegates were told bluntly tina
mo matter how good our air de-
Tense may be, or how big an all
force we build, a determined all
attack by the Soviet Union coulc
drop bombs open this country"
I'VE must organize ourselves,
the President said, sin every city
factory, Office and home. Civil de.
Tense is a responsibility which be.
gins with the individual is shared
with the country, the State anc
the Nation"
The President was preceded tx
the platform by galaxy of ad-
ministartion spokesman, led by
Vice President Barley who pre-
sented a strong plea for national
unity in the face of peril.
In time of danger, he said, eve
do not refrain from freedom OIL
discussion but we do unite be-
hind the national ideals of freedom
and justice" that characterize
American foreign policy.
Warning of higher taxes, re-
strictions and hardships to come
the Vice President stressed tina
the major decisions must lie with
the President as Commander il
Chief of the armed services.
Danger Is Emphasized.
"And there can be only one, m,
friends" Mr.. Barley added.
Before the Vice President spoke
delegates heard messages from
House Majority Leader McCor
mack, Speaker Rayburn ant
Labor Secretary Tobin. All O
them underscored the danger
threatening this country's civilian
population, calling for promp
and decisive efforts to mobilize a.
effective civil defense organiza
ton.
Speaking on the same program
Federal Civil Defense Administra
tor Millard F. Caldwell, jr., tol
the delegates: eff America is t
have a sound security structur