Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 December 1941 — Page 48

MINUTE MEN OF '41 READY

Springfield Flood and Gale Led to Formation of War Organization.

By JACK DEVLIN Times Special Writer SPRINGFIELD, Mass, Dec. 19. — The “Minute Man” is back in the news again as air warnings shriek over Atlantic and Pacific seaboards. The “Minute Men” are workers for Springfield’s City Emergency Committee, ‘which, formed years ago, put this community a jump ahead when air raid precautions suddenly became necessary. Like their predecessors at Lexington and Concord in Revolutionary War days, the Twentieth Century guardians ' are poised for sudden disaster in any form — t thanks to “prea mature” preparations launched Mayor Putnam when most other municipalities contended that a bombing attack “cant happen here.”

The modern “Minute Men,” and |

"Minute Women,” too, -are for air raids, floods, explosions, and conflagrations after rolling up their sleeves and getting started with a vengeance back when bombs first started thudding down on England. Because of its head start, queries have been received by Springfield fiicials from municipalities in all sections of the country. Springfield residents were not glarmists when they buckled down to their task—they were acting aftef having two forcible examples that showed the full value of preparedness.

The first event was a record and disastrous flood in 1936. Then came the runaway tropical hurricane in 1938 that battered Springfield until it was groggy.

Started From Scratch

SPRINGFIELD, with a population of 150,000. did the best it could in both emergencies but decided further preparations were neces-

sary. Back of the present all-out emergency program is brisk, darkhaired Roger Lowell Putnam, 47-year-old mayor and successful manufacturer who has just been re-elected for his third term. Surrounding himself with a] nucleus of business and industrial | leaders at a time when virtually] no one knew what should be done,| the mayor said he wanted the best civilian defense program in the] country. | “We may never have an actual | bombardment,” he said. “We may never have another hurricane or| disastrous flood. But, we'll be ready | if they do come.”

Got Data From British

There was no literature available to help the men organize and learn how to cope with an serial blitzkrieg, so they wrote to the Britsh Information Bureau in New York and bought every book and pamphlet available on the subject. They studied them, organized classes and taught others. These instructors taught still others. And, for the most part, the people want to learn and do their part.

Site of Garand Factory

The city would make a ripe target for an invader. It is on the socalled St. Lawrence River invasion route and next to a river whose surface, glimmering in the darkness, co ild guide a bomber. In the city is tht sprawling U. S. Arsenal where Uncle Sam is rushing production of Springfield and Garand rifles, The defense committee has a division devoted to each service needed. It starts with the air raid specialists, who would report where bombs had fallen along with the damage and casualties, and includes medical health and social services, supplies, transportation, communications, food, fuel, shelter, utilities and public imformation. Industries have organized their own fire departments and have bought equipment. A complete air raid center has been set up in the basement of the District Court. There is one battery of 10 telephones for handling calls

Carmelite Sisters to S ponsor Annual Christmas Novena af Local Monastery

The Carmelite Sisters will hold their annual Christmas Novena, beginning today and ending Christmas Day, in their monastery on the Cold Spring Road. Since the world is in the throes of war, this year's novena will be under the special invocation of the Divine Infant Jesus of Praha. This is Because the peace of the Carmelite Monastery in Praha, and of the city itself, seemed for centuries to center around the statue of the Divine Infant Jesus. The statue was given the Carmelite Fathers by Princess Polrxena de lLobowitz in 1628. Ever since that time, replicas

v .

coming in from air raid wardens,|: =

ahd another battery for sending information out to police and fire departments, the Red Cross, health and utility offices. An auxiliary headquarters is also planned.

Red Cross Enrolls 6000

If telephone services are disrupted, two-way short-wave radios will be used. For auxiliary purposes, there are motorcycle and bicycle couriers and even Boy Scouts to fun messages. Practically everybody wants to help. The Red Cross alone has 6000 enrolled to aid in its work and there are 500 other tentative enrollees who are marking time now until facilities can be obtained to vide them with instruction in t aid and other fields.

Lest We Forget! MEMORIAL WREATHS

We still offer a varied as- % t of memorial wreaths! Oth-

Mail and Phone Orders Filled Promptly

inches high, with one hand upheld in blessing and the other holding the cross surmounted world, will be on view at the monastery during the holidays. Those wishing to have prayers offered by tHe sisters may send their requests or intentions to the monastery from now until Christmas Day. There will be benediction and veneration of the relic of the crib each Sunday at 4 p. m. during the Christ«

The statue of the Divine Infant Jesus from Praha.

: Christmas in the Air

AS o ae . —— HOWE GIRLS’ CLUB

~~ SPONSORS DANCE

The Hi | School Girls’ Athletic Club and Lettermen’s Club Shunsored a Christmas dance this Committee members in charge were: Gloria Backer, Beverly Hill, Robert Richard Dobbs and Ml, in charge of entertainment; Nancy Olinick, Ruth Davis and Jo&n Ann Oaks, refreshments; Mary Frances Patterson, Mary Schafer, Otis Ray ahd Philip Lasley, decoration; Ralph Toney, Leroy Bartlett and Joseph Morrisey. tickets, and Arthur Graham, Alan Crapo, Snowden and Emma Griggs, publicity.

2 ” ” C. M. Sharp, Howe High School principal, delivered a Christmas speech at an assembly Wednesday in the Howe gymnasium, after which the choir, under the direction of Frank S. Watkins, sang Christmas carols.

Lack of Material to Cost Many Jobs, McNutt Warns

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (U. PJ). —Federal Security Administrator Paul V. McNutt yesterday told a Senate committee studying \ business problems that unemployment due to material shortages is “likely to be severe in the near future.” an He said reports from selected plants indicate they already have laid off 45,000 workers and anticipate laying off 124,000 ar about one fourth of the total fg The peak of the labor disp t, he y is expected in the first half of 1942. “Literally miiiions of workers will shift from one job to another,” Mr. McNutt said,” “and they will feel the chill of insecurity.” He said lack of ma was the major reason for Other causes, he said, include orders restricting production in several industries such as automobiles, wash-

Daily Store Hours

Until Christmas: 9:30 to 6

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He suggested thrée ways in which the FSA program could assist the workers: 1. Through surveys of all plants experiencing layoffs, to determine

‘materials lacking, whether facilities

can be turned to war production, and employment opportunities for displaced workers. 2. Through assisting workers to transfer jobs in defense industries, or if they are lacking in the necessary mechanical skills, through pro= training-in vocational courses. 3. Ti payment of unemployment insurance benefits, usual-

IDAY, DEC. 19, 1941 PRESSURE PUT ON RUSSIANS IN GHINA |

SHANGHAI (U. P.) —~Twenty-flv thousand Russian emigrants residing in Shanghai and thousands of others living in North China are

y being subjected to a storm of propa-

ganda and political pressure, as Japanese, Germans and Soviet Russian representatives seek their backeing. Virtually all of the Russians in China are known as White Ruse sians. They fled from their native land during the revolution following the World War. German “and Seviet Union repre= sentatives seek their support in the I[Russo-German conflict, while the Japanese are endeavoring, to line them ‘up in event of a Russo-Jap-anese war,

ly one half regular weekly wages.

(2) Siivered For Hemgian Fe arw xX a