TO: James V. Bennett, Director, Bureau of Prisons, Washington 25, D.C.

RE: Protective Measures and Possibility of Blackout During United Nations Conference in San Francisco

While there is no occasion to be alarmed, the authorities in San Francisco have been checking with leaders in the civilian defense in order to be ready for any emergency.

They telephoned to me in order to make certain that we would be in readiness if we should be alerted for blackout. Apparently they do not want to frighten people in San Francisco or vicinity by adopting and publicizing the steps they are taking for protection. On the other hand they feel the responsibility of safeguarding the City during the presence of the delegates attending the United Nations Conference. They have thought the proposition through very well and instead of restoring the complete organization that was in existance with the various steps of alerting, yellow and blue for preparation and then red for the blackout, they are dispensing with the preliminary and intermediate steps and are asking those who cooperation they need to have their organizations in readiness for just one signal, that is the red, which requires a blackout.

I called a meeting of our staff, put the matter before our officers without alarming them, and we have worked out a plan that will enable us to give instant cooperation if we get the alert.

From my conversations with the authorities in San Francisco I don't believe they are alarmed as to any possibility of damage, but they are just acting out of an abundance of caution and a sense of responsibility that they feel to the world in view of the Conference.

J.A. JOHNSTON
Warden