Education: Just in Case

School Superintendent Alexander J. Stoddard of Los Angeles did not want parents to become alarmed at any wild tales their children might tell of the new doings. So he wrote out a careful letter and gave each pupil a copy to take home. From now on, said the letter, atomic bombing drills would be a regular part of the 1950-51 school program. The drills had been thoroughly worked out, would be repeated so often “that immediate response will become a habit” (e.g., “drop immediately to the ground or floor, face down . . .”). Of course, added Superintendent Stoddard, “we sincerely hope that all of our plans and procedures . . . will never have to be put into actual use.”