Evening star., 1941-12-14
Montgomery County
To Stage BIackout
Tomorrow Night
Suburbs to Sto9e
Practice Demonstration;
D. c. to Cooperate

Every resident of the suburban
area of Montgomery County is ex-
pected to take his or her battle
station" during the first test black
out in the Washington area at 8:45
pm. tomorrow.
In preparation for the test, air
raid wardens expect to visit every
home in the affected communities
today and tomorrow to inform oc-
cupaats of the blackout plans.
Here Is what will happen" and
what Alfred D. Noyes, chairman
of the Southern Maryland Regional
Defense Council, expects every cltl-
zen to DO:
Promptly at 8;45 pm. all fire
sirens in the area will sound flve
short blasts. repeated three times.
This is the signal that an air raid
is imminent. The all clear signal
three long blasts-will be sounded
at the end of the rehearsal at pm.
Turn Off Oil and Gas.
As soon as you hear the warning,
turn out all the lights in your home
and 20 to the basement. Turn on
oil burners, gas ranges and pilot
fights of stoves which might cause
fires or explosions if facilities were
broken.
Close windows and doors to pre-
vent drafts which might fan flames
in case of fires; keep away from
windows and doorways.
If YOU are on the street when the
warning sounds, you should walk,
not run, to the nearest store and
stav there until the alarm is over.
If no store is near you, go into some
ones yard and wait until the all
clear signal is sounded before going
out into the street.
Auxiliary policemen will aid regu-
lar police in handling traffic, which
will be permitted to move slowly
with dimmed headlights. Stores,
theaters and public buildings will be
darkened. Street lamps will be
dimmed. On real blackout street
lights also would be eXtinguishedo
Sector wardens have been ap-
pointed for every $50 people in the
county and no difficulty is antici-
pated by defense officials in spread
ing the word of the blackout to all
residents in the area. All AFRAID
wardens will remain at their posts
during the 15-minute blackout.
Begins at District.
The plackout will begin at the
District line and will extend as far
north as Rockville, Potomac and
Sandy Spring, which will be includ-
ed in the alarm. About $4,000 peo-
ple will be involved in the test. Gov
OConor of Maryland will not be
present to witness the rehearsal, as
was previously announced.
The Montgomery blackout will be
conducted in accordance with an
order by Gov. O'Conofs for all COM
munities of more than 5 900 popu-
lation to stage practice blackouts.
Several towns already have had
them, and the metropolitan area OF
Prince Georges will be darkened for
10 minutes starting at 9 pm. Fri
day.
Gov. O'Conor's order, as it ap-
plies to Montgomery. was approved
yesterday by District Commissioner
Young, civilian defense co-ordinator
for the Washington Metropolitan
Area.
Washington residents, however,
may be somewhat affected by the
order of Gov. O'Conor, for during
the period of the Montgomery test
special details of police will be sta
toned at the District line to meet
motorists, who will be asked to dim
their lights and to proceed with
"extreme care"
Maj. Edward j. Kelly. superin-
tendent of police, has been instruct
ed to place District police at the
approaches to Maryland to assist in
maintaining orderly observance OF
the blackout.
The chief air raid warden in
Montgomery County is Arch Mac
Donald of Burnt Mills Hills. Rob-
ert Forrest of Oxon Hill is chief all
raid warden of Prince Georges and
Conrad H. Reid, Of 215 North Glebe
road, Arlington, the chief in nearby
Virginia. Mr.. MacDonald's tele-
phone number is Shepherd 6166; Mr.
FORESTS, Atlantic 1924, and Mr.
Reid's, Chestnut 1852.
The liaison officer for Prince
Georges County is DR.. Ray Vawtel
who may be reached at 1909 Gallatir
street, Hyattsville, or by telephone
at Warfield 1900. Mr.. Reid is the
liaison officer for Virginia. j. H
Morrison, liaison officer for Mont
gomery County lives at los Elmwood
road. Kenwood, and may be reached