Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1956-02-17
BY ID. Preston Lee
State Director Of Civil Defense

State Director Of Civil Defense
On every hand, we are reminded
these days that we are entering
a new age" Already this has be-
come a stock remark which ali Of
US believe and repeat We tend to
think of this new age enthusiasts
tically in terms Of the benefits we
expect 10 derive from it, but how
many Of US stop TO consider the
new responsibilities it viii thrust
upon us2
The economists say It viii be a
busting age with a soaring popu-
lation and a vastly expanded eco
nOmy. The scientists promise us
an era Of new chronological mar
wells which will change our B1sfc
living habits The statisticians say
it viii be an age Of bigger and bet
ter statistics-more people, homes,
industries, schools and highways.
For the most part It is a bright
picture, but It has its sOmber side.
Over all the future, as far as we
can see ahead, hangs the threat Of
another war. nuclear war.
Already, this continuing threat
is a fixture in our lives, a new di-
mension Of our times. affecting all
our thinking and planning For
example,, as industry expands II
also is being urged 70 disperse in
the interests Of national defense.
Government, too, in its planning
for the new age is expanding its
defense thinking beyond the pure
~ military area.
Why defense? Because if this
country is attacked, an estimated
70 million people will have to be
evacuated from target areas. II
would be the biggest transportation
problem ever faced by any nation
and our existing highways would
not be equal 10 the task.
In similar ways, defense think
ing and planning-the new dimen-
sion Of modern life-has permeated
an the activities Of government at
the national, state and local levels.
Just recently, President Eisen-
hover established a Civil Defense
cOordinating board for the sole
purpose OF tying together defense
activities in all federal agencies.
Top ranking officials from every
department Of gOvernment-health
education, welfare, agriculture, etc
will serve under Val Peterson.
federal Civil Defense administrator.
in working out the boards policies
In Delaware, every agency Of
the state government ~ police.
health. welfare, education and the
rest-long has been responsible
for emergency planning IN its
special field.
Local governments, too, are gen.
orally assuming the new respon-
sibilities for community defense
Even neighborhOods are beginning
10 be affected, though only slightly
as yet
Eventually. defense thinking and
behavior will be as much a part
Of our daily lives as any other re-
spOnsibility OF citizenship. This re
spOnsibility viii begin in the
home Every family head will, as
a matter Of couse, see TO it tha'
he has his shelter area prepared
his stock Of emergency supplies or
hand, just as now he puts locks
on his door, installs storm windows
takes out fire and theft insurance
and keeps the police and fire calls
close at hand. And just as certainl!
every citizen will, as a matter o
course, play some part in his com
munity defense organization.
But as yet home defense is
new responsibility. Few Of us TAX
to II kindly. We don't want NOR
responsibility. We don't want to be
lieve the world has changed, tina
the next war threatens our town
that even our homes are no longe
safe. For these reasons, we dra
our feet when it comes to Civ
Defense.
With the next generation (if b
then it isn't too late) defense vii
be ingrained Already, defens
themes are being stressed in on
schools. Economics. science, geog
raphy, social studies are bein
placed in a new perspective-tha
of a nation in peril
The youngsters are growing u
to accept the new age on its OW
terms, both good and bad. IrOni
cally, it is we grOwn-ups who mus
grow up to our new responsibilities
We talk enthusiastically of til
new age, but we refuse to accept
5 totally. Only after each Of US Ia
acquired he maturity needed fo
our tiHes AND assumed a role
our cOmmunity's defense will on
nation be equal to the task OF SUI
vivaL