Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-08-23
~ the Associatsd Frees

vn0r1tlek were eVhCuhVcu AAOhkA
cities TO remote headquarters.
It was q "dry run" but one
designed to show how efficient-
" the oficials could continue
20 administer the United States
Governments civil affairs In
case Of an enemy attack.
The results weren't 80 cheer
full.
Denton Picked
As q direct result OF that
mock attack, construction dirt
soon viii start to ny ut the
North Central Texas College
town Of Denton. To be con-
structed 10 an underground
bomb shelter which ofncials
cay could become the seat Of
the Federal Government In
event Of an about war.
The administration issued Q
report saying 1t was convinced.
after an analysis Of Opera
ton Alert" that the Capable
ties to operate the Government
ct regional levels must be
strengthened.
President Eisenhower early
this year sent to Congress O.
request that SAT million be APP
propriated for construction Of
an underground shelter for the
once Of Civil Defense and Mo-
bilization Southwest regional
headquarters located In Den
ton.
The OCDM noted that this
would serve a. the center Of
the United States Government
IN event both Washington and
the OCDM's alternate national
headquarters, located in Battle
Greek. Mich, were knocked out
W MA CAAC4k4ys
CONGRESS this past week
passed and sent to the Presi-
dent q catch-all supplemental
appropriation bill with funds
for various agencies. It includ-
ed $2.4 million for the Denton
shelter. which would serve as
. vital communications and adj
ministration center in times Of
natural disasters as well asl
war.
All Underground
The shelter viii be entirely
underground except for two
ANAL entrance structures, one
of which will serve as q recep-
ton point to check those wish
ing to go below. It will have
two levels measuring lao feet
In width and 100 feet in length.
The site will be on a tract
ct the southeast edge Of Dem
ton, given to the Government
by the city as an added in
ducement to get the OCDM
to build in Denton the first
of the regional shelters. Other
regional headquarter cities
were bidding. In fact. the quest
Of Harvard, Mass, threatened
Denton's success.
Besides Denton and Harvard,
the sites Of the other regional
headquarters are Olney, Md,
brownsville, Ga, Battle Creek
Serving jointly as a national
and regional ONCE; Denver,
Colo; Santa Rosa, Calf. and
Everett, Wash. Denton serves
not only Texas but Oklahoma,
Arkansas, Louisiana and New
Mexico.
In congressional committee
hearings it was noted that the
upper level of the Denton
shelter would be at least six
feet underground. Asked If
that was adequate protection,
OCDM Director Leo A. Hoegh
replied: with reinforced con-
crete underneath that Is suf-
dcient."
It is contemplated that
eventually some 200 persons
will work in the shelter on a
regular peacetime day-to-day
basis.
500 In War Time
In event Of war 500 persons
could work In 1t. II . nearby
nuclear bombing occurred. they
could be kept there below
fround for 80 days. SUFFICIENT
oxygen and food Is to be on
hand on all times for that many
people. They would sleep in
turns on the limited beds and
cots available.
The peace-time complement
Of 200 would be comprised Of
approximately 140 oCDM per-
sonnet, and some so represent
atives Of various vital Federal
agencies.
Anticipating the Presidents
signature Of the supplemental
appropriation bill. Mr.. Hoegh
went to Capitol Hill Friday for
4 meeting with Senator Lyndon
johnson and Representative |
Frank lizard, Texas Democrats, |
70 show them plans for the
structure.
"I'm going to ride herd on
this project to see that it gets
done as quickly as possible" Mr..
Hoegh said. 1--WE want it to
serve as q model for other rel
Rional shelters. It will repre-
sent the best in planning tol
date. but In its construction
we may learn ways in which
We can improve on our plans"
Actual construction should
ret under way late this year
and the shelter should be ready
for occupancy IL to Is months
later.
Protection Plans
4 The underground bonn bl