Evening star., 1951-12-11
Ample Civil Defense
Could Cut Casualties
By Halt, Mayors Told

By Half, Mayors Told
Adequate civil defense organi-
zation throughout the United
States would help deter atomic
attacks by an enemy, a Federal
official declared here today.
Col. j. M. Chambers, assistant
civil defense administrator, told a
conference of city officials that
proper preparations would hold
down casualty rates in attacks and
thus reduce the attractiveness of
critical target areas.
In an address to the American
Municipal Congress at the Hotel
Statler, Col. Chambers disclosed
that there are now 81 critical tar
get areas in the country. This
represents an increase of 13 as a
result of the 1850 census. The
critical target areas include 81
cities Of more than 100, 900 popula-
ton which have large percentages
OF industrial workers.
Urges Quick Action.
The official said that within a
year Russia will be capable of de-
llvering an atomic attack on every
one Of the critical target areas.
BY conservative estimate, he said
the potential casualties for the
original 54 areas was IL million
persons. He declared that effect
i've civil defense organization
would reduce the number of VIC
Tins by at least one-half, and he
urged the city officials to act
quickly in their communities.
Brig. Gen. Clyde Dougherty
civil defense director for the De-
troit area. complained that the
Federal civil defense staff has
been slow in issuing manuals for
training personnel. Col. Cham
bers replied that with few excep-
tions the more important man
uals have been distributed and
that where there are serious de-
lays. the city officials should check
with State and regional defense
agencies.
The General also contended
that Federal Civil Defense should
shorten the command channels"
to target areas.
Ewing to Speak at Banquet.
approximately TOO mayors and
other city officials are attending
the conference. At a banquet to-
night, the principal speaker will
be Oscar r. Ewing, Federal Sc
curity administrator. whose topic
will be. Partnership for Prog
ress-the City and Federal Gov
ernment.' /
The toastmaster of the banquet
will be Mayor William F. Devin
Of Seattle, Wash.
In other business today Mayor
Charles E. Slusser of Akron, Ohio,
was to lead a discussion on high
way, trafhc and parking prob
lens. and Glenn Zimmerman of
the Arkansas Municipal League
was to direct discussion on
Payments in Lieu of Taxes on
Federal Property"
Also today. Mayor William B.
Hartsfeld of Atlanta, Ga, was to
be chairman Of discussions on va
rious subjects, including Con
trolling City Crime Salary and
Wage Politics" Fire Insurance
Grading and Rating" "Organiz-
ing for Civil Defense" Cooper
alton With State and Federal
Highway Officials" "The Execu-
tive Assistant to the Mayor" and
Problems Of the Urban Fringe" &"
Home Rule Called Issue.
Other panel discussions on va
rious civic problems were to be
directed by John r. Long, Mayor
OF Springfield, Tenn. and Charles
j. Fox, city auditor of Boston.
Mayor Devin yesterday said "the /
flrst issue which faces us in 1851
1852 :. is home rule.
Home rule" he added, lin its
utter simplicity, is merely govern
ment of. by and for the people
where they live. 1t opposes non
resident control of residential
matters. This basic principle is +
today being attached on every
hand-not openly but under the
guise of grants and gifts, of jobs /
and greater efficiency, all of which
are attractive but none the less
deadly to direct representative
government and ultimate free
dom"
Mayor Elmer E. Robinson of San
Francisco, who spoke on civil de-
fense, said that 1851 has meant
impressive and very heartening
progress in that category.
Others who spoke yesterday
were Mayor A. E. Cobo of Detroit,
Roy Blough, member of the Pres
ident's Council of Economic Ad-
visers; F. N. McMillin of the
League of Wisconsin Municipal
tiles: Mayor William v. Bailey of
Battle Creek, Mich; James j.