A THOUSAND CARS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 41, 18 February 1942, Page 6

A THOUSAND CARS

E.P.S. REQUEST

POOR RESPONSE SO FAR

A week or so ago there appeared a series of advertisements calling for 1000 cars for the communications section of the E.P.S. In some sections of the civil defence organisation cars and trucks of particular classes are needed, but no restriction as to type is placed upon cars for the communications section.

A thousand cars were asked for. Up till now only forty-odd have been offered.

"It is uncomfortably evident," said an official of this section today, "that there is yet no proper realisation that in the event of emergency relief and communications duties will be impossible without motor transport. The cars are not wanted here and now, but it is most necessary that the Transport Controller (Mr. L. S. Drake, Chief City Traffic Officer) shall have at once particulars of cars that would be immediately available in case of emergency/ The particulars asked for are:—Name and address of owner, registered car number, make and seating capacity of car, also whether the owner will be the driver, and, if not, the name of a substitute driver.

From other sources, a "Post" reporter gathered that unless an adequate response is made to the request for •cars, action .can be taken to impress private machines for civil defence, as for national defence.

Each car marked for E.P.S. duties is to be supplied with two gallons of petrol (in sealed can for emergency use only) and emergency coupons (available only for additional petrol from alarm warning till the all-clear). Provision is being made for the maintenance of all E.P.S. cars to ensure mobility throughout the period of stand-by in case of emergency.