Evening star., 1941-12-18
PrinceGeorges
P| |ans B|ackout
Test Tomorrow
Dorkenine of Houses
Ordered, but Street
Lights Will Stoy On

Lights Will Stuy On
Plans for a partial blackout test
In Prince Georges County tomorrow
night were being rushed to compile
ton today by civilian defense Off
cials in HyattSville.
Robert Forrest, chief AFRAID war
den of the county, announced that
permission had been obtained yes
terday from Army officials at
Mitchell Field, N. Y, to hold the
test blackout between 9 and 9:10
pm. Mrs. Daisy F. La Coppidan.
chairman of the county Civilian De-
fense Council, was not available for
immediate comment and Mr. Forrest
issued the following information in
her behalf:
The partial blackout is to begin
promptly at pm. Citizens should
not wait for an air-raid alarm sig
nal before putting out their lights.
No signal will be given.
All houses should be blacked out
and electrical signs and neon dis
plays SllOuIu Ue luIlltu Oll
Street lights and electric traffic
signals will remain in operation
throughout the l0-minute period
Traffic on roads will not be stopped,
but will be cautioned to proceed
slowly during the blackout Work
in plants engaged in defense pro-
duction will not be interrupted by
the test.
All air raid wardens will be at
their posts during the blackout.
Seek Weak Points.
The test is being made, Mr.. For
rest said, in order to find the weak
spots in the blackout system of the
country. Mistakes which come to
light will be corrected, he added.
Mr.. Forrest said yesterday that the
mayors of the county, whom he re-
Gently appointed wardens in their
respective towns, are fulfilling in
every respect a promise made at
their conference Monday that they
would cooperate fully with the orig
inal county defense organization.
The civilian defense setup of the
county is virtually perfected" he
added.
Meeting at Bethesda.
The newly formed Civilian De-
fense Executive Committee of Mont
gomery County, Md, held its first
meeting last night in the Bethesda
County Building and heard reports
of encouraging progress toward its
goal of comprehensive civilian pro-
lection system for the county.
Arch Mcdonald, chief afraid
warden, reported 1500 sector war
dens registered but many more
needed. He said the present staff
of Is volunteer instructors would be
expanded to 80 shortly.
Paul Banfleld, in charge of trans
portation, emergency shelter and
food, told the committee shelters
for $500 persons had been obtained
with offers coming in quickly.
Steam Whistle Urged.
A committee composed of Mr.. Nc
Donald, j. B. Morrison and Fred W.
Tuemmler was named to study the
problem of adequate raid siren COW
erage and report back at another
meeting of the committee Friday
night. Mr.. Morrison, communica-
tions officer, urged that. steam or
compressed air whistles. indeperG-
ent of electric power supply, be ac-
quired.
County Chief of Police Andrew M.
Newman said 300 auxiliary police
men had been enrolled.
DR.. Dexter Bullard, chief of medi-
cal services. announced plans to
establish one casualty station for
each 10000 OF population, each to
be supplemented by a number of
first-aid posts. He said more volun-
teer nurses we're needed.
Air raid wardens of the 18th cleo
ton district will meet at the new
Takoma-Silver Spring Junior High
School at 7:30 o'clock tonight for
first aid instruction. Wardens are
asked to bring their first aid kits.
Call for Ambulances.
DR.. w. C. Welburn, chairman of
Tie dUlUQldilCc SCI VIC bIllt VI liiS
Arlington County Defense Council.
today issued an appeal to all owners
of station wagons and light delivery
trucks to register these vehicles for
use as emergency ambulances during
air raids. 1t should also be indi-
Gated whether driver and helper
can be supplied with the vehicles.
DR.. Welburn said that persons
should register with him at Oxford
O236 or with Joseph Fought, Chest
nut 2121. A new company of the
Virginia Protective Force, to re-
place National Guard units called
into service, started organizing last
night and recruiting will continue
between pm. and $3.50 pm. today
and tomorrow in the County Court
House under the direction of Maj
Everett Hellmuth, commanding
officer of the 18th Battalion. Men
between 18 and As years of age
are eligible to enlist.
In Alexandria, Va, the Kiwanis
Club today was expected to act
on a plan to convert its summer
camp for underprivileged children
near Franconia, Va, to use as g
shelter for evacuees in case OF ar
air raid on that town. 1t Is be-
lieved that more than 100 children
could be cared for at the camp
The Kiwanis meeting was scheduled
for 1880 pm. in the westminster