Evening star., 1951-06-08
Public Apathy
Still CriippIes
Plans
Lack of Volunteers
Ruted Above Funds
As Major Problem
By Crosby S. Moves

still is the major barrier to pre-
pairing the District against pcs
sible attack, city defense leaders
declared today.
District Civil Defense Director
John E. Fondahl told members
Of the House District Civil Defense
Subcommittee that after public
apathy, his next major problem
is lack of sufficient money to buy
equipment needed to
cope with an atomic explosion.
Inspector Fondahl. with his
chief deputies. appeared before
the committee led by Representa-
tive league, Democrat, Of Texas
in the first of several contem-
plated meetings on civil defense
matters.
Treasury Loan Considered.
In the course Of his outline, he
revealed that the Commissioners
had approved a civil defense
budget request of $870.000 for the
coming fiscal year. They also are
considering the possibility of re-
a 81 million Treasury
loan to finance the civil defense
in the future, he said.
On public response, Inspector
Fondahl divided the people of
Washington into three classes.
The first. he said. believe that no
attack will come. The second
class believes that, If the attack
comes, nothing much can be done
about it, while the third group
feels that civil defense Is primarily
a responsibility of government in
which the public has no part to
play, he added.
Out of an estimated 1000
volunteers required to man the
city's organization, only about
24,500 have been enrolled so far,
he said. Many of these served as
volunteers during the last war or
are members Of professional
groups from which the response
has been good. he explained.
Air Raid Drills Planned.
In the course of the session, In
spector Fondahl and his deputies
gave the following facts to the
committee:
l.. Simulated air raid drills will
be held upon the completion of
the city's air raid warning system,
expected to be installed by the end
of August. A recent test Of the
interim warning system using
police and fire sirens didn't cover
the city by per cent"
2. A city-wide engineering sur
vey of all existing buildings will
get under way in the near future
To determine the best existing
shelters. The shelter problem was
described as mot at all satisfac-
tory from any standpoint.
3. A limited amount of personal
equipment for police and fire VOL
unteers would boost enrolment
rates, now proceeding at an
alarmingly slow pace. Current
budget estimates provide little
money for this purpose. Also
needed is legislation to protect
volunteers in case of injury be-
fore or after a disaster.
Trailer First Aid Units.
4. Ten first aid trailer units,
providing the corps of the casualty
rescue service will be bought from
money presently available. An ad-
ditional 10 are provided for in the
1852 budget, as approved by the
Commissioners. A total of so of
these units are considered neces-
sary to deal with a single atomic
explosion.
The proposed $4,000 budget
was approved by the District Com
missioners yesterday. In it's pres
ent form, the bulk Of the requested
appropriation would go for medi-
cal supplies and other equipment
required to deal with the effects OF
a possible attack on the city.
At a meeting Of deputy civil de-
fense directors yesterday. District
Director John E. Fondahl an
nounced that the Federal Civil De-
fense Administration also has Of
fered the city a total of $434, 900
in matching funds for medical
supplies under the National Civil
Defense Law.
Inspector Fondahl indicated that
only a portion of the authorized
Federal money could be used un-
der the proposed District budget,
which allows about 100000 for
medical supplies. The city's budget
plan also proposes buying some
equipment for the Water and Fire
Departments and communications
supplies. The amount earmarked
for medical supplies represents 'by
far the largest single item," In
spector Fondahl said.
For such items as medical sup
plies and trailers, under the pres
ent regulations, the District can
place an order with FCDA. For
each dollar of the Districts
money, the Federal agency will
add a dollar of Federal funds.
For example, if the city puts in
an order for 100000 worth OF
supplies out of it's present budget,
it would get back 100000 worth
|of materials.
Enough for Few Hours.
These materials are supposed
to last the city only through the
first few hours after an attack
The major job Of stockpiling
medical supplies is the RESPONSE
bility of the Federal Government
under the civil defense law. FCDA
has plans for establishing supply
|depots within four hours truck
haul of each target area. No
money for this purpose, however,
has been appropriated so far.
Rosen Is Recommended