Milford chronicle., 1956-06-08
Civil Defense News
In Delaware

Much has been done and much
remains to be done in Delaware's &
Civil Defense program" Governor
j. Caleb Boggs writes in a special
report just submitted TO Val Peter
son, federal Civil Defense admin
istratOr.
THE report will be included in
Mr.. Peterson's regular accounting
TO President Eisenhower on the
state of the nations Civil Defense
readiness.
The governors statement was in
response to a request from Mr..
Peterson for specific data on Del
aware's continuity program" for
carrying on government functions
in a wartime emergency.
Mr.. Peterson requested infOrma-
tion on the following: Provisions
for succession of government con-
troll in case anything should hap
pen to the governor or lieutenant
governor; status of emergency op-
eratiOns plans and designation of
responsibilities; establishment OF
a safe headquarters site for the
governor and his staff along with
facilities for storing important
records.
In his response, Governor Boggs
ointed out that Delaware's newly
renovated Civil Defense control
center at Delaware City lis prob
ably the best constructed in the
nation"
He reported that seven major
state agencies have been instruct
ed to keep copies of inElportant
documents in their control center
Offices"
There is also sufficient space"
he wrote, "for the governor, sec
retary of state, state treasurer and
auditor to carry out emergency
functions at this one location"
The governor also pointed out
that the state department of well
fare. health, highway, state police
and other agencies maintain branch
county offices, any of which could
double as their main headquarters
in an emergency.
He explained that the state con-
stitution provides that the secre-
tary of state, attorney general, the
president pro tempOre of the state
senate and the speaker of the
house succeed each other in that
order to the control of the state
government should anything hap
pen TO the governor or the lieu
tenant governor.
Governor BOggs assured Mr..
Peterson that he did not intend to
leave the impression we have
solved the problem of continuity
of government and of relocation,
but much has been done and much
remains to be done. All state agen-
cies will be encouraged to increase
their activities in these fields. l
shall also encourage the political
subdivisions to further develop
their continuity plans"
The governor concluded: "If
your reports from other states re-
veal anything which in your opin-
ion would be helpful to us in our
planning, / would appreciate your
calling it to my attention"
The full text of the governors
letter to Mr.. Peterson follows:
Thank you for your letter Of
May 3, 1856. The requirements for
an effective continuity of govern
ment program shall be a very help
full guide for additional planning
in Delaware.
You are familiar with our ex-
ceptionally fine state Civil Defense
Control Center which was recent
ly renovated Inasmuch as our Con-
troll Center has nine feet of con-
crete on top and sides covered with
twenty-three feet of dirt, / think
you will agree that this is prob
ably the best constructed control
center in the nation Each Civil
Defense Division has private office
space complete with desks and file
cabinets. Seven of our major state
apencios are an integral part Of
Civil Defense and have been in
structed to keep copies of impor-
tant documents in their Control
Center office. There is also suffici-
ont space for the Governor, Secre-
tary of State, State Treasurer and