The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1941-12-18
BLACKOUT TEST
LAST FRIDAY IS
TERMED SUCCESS
Oakland In Darkness For FIT
teen Minutes-150 Citizens
Volunteer AS Guards
And Watchers

A wailing fire siren cast the dark
shadow of war over Oakland at 8
o'clock last Friday night, signaling
the start of a series of trial black
outs in towns throughout the breadth
of Maryland.
Oakland went through its first
blackout in successful fashion and to
the complete satisfaction of Civilian
Defense director, Lawrence M. Fra
ley, and other officials assisting him.
Two blasts of the fire siren sent
the towns occupants to their light
switches in a 15-minute blackout.
Street lights blotted out instantly
and lights in residential areas blinked
off seconds later. A few stragglers
were notified by guards who willingly
complied with orders to make the
blackout complete The West Penn
office overlooked its electric sign for
a brief period but some alert employee
soon had it out.
Faint glows came from homes
where there were wood or coal fires
in the freplaces and a gas stove in
the office of the C. and A gas COM
pany cast reflection across Alder
street.
The biggest offender" in the
blackout was "uncle Sam" and the
next probably the Elementary school.
The light in the postoffice on Second
street over the vault remained
lighted and since regulation de-
manded that there be two persons
present when such light was ex-
tinguished, it was impossible to find
two such persons in the darkness, es-
pecially when these persons were
guarding at some other points Hard
ly able to be seen when all other
lights are on the small vault light
made the postoffice stick out like
"sore thumb" in the blackness which
reflected its large windows on the
Hamill apartment next door. A large
light was left burning in the Ele-
mentary school which remained on
throughout the entire period. Every
where else was in complete darkness.
Mr.. Fraley termed the test COM
pletely successful and declared the
patriotic spirit of all citizens was
extremely gratifying"
About $50 citizens, including the
thirty-fve American Legion men,
bcrs, and forty fire department men,
bers, Auxiliary firemen and others,
took assigned posts throughout Oak
land, guarding bridges, buildings,
hotels, street intersections, public
buildings, and all places where there
might be danger from saboteurs or
fifth columnists. All traffic was
halted at the edge of town and the
drivers were all obedent as they
were ordered to eXtinguish their
lights and park for the duration of
the blackout.
Several members of the Red Cross
reported to the city hall for any
emergency that might arise.
The blackout was a demonstration
in miniature of what would happen
if enemy planes zoomed over Mary
land. 1t was the first large-scale
test in the state, although one had
been tried at Easton, and followed
the suggestion of Governor OConor
for tests of the darkness defense
against air raids.
With all town lights eXtinguished
the reflection of lights from Mt. Lake
Park Crellin, and the hoodlights on
the Youghiogheny INTERCOLLEGIATE
dam were plainly visible.
Two blasts from the fire siren at
8:15 signaled the end Of the blackout
and guards returned to the city hall
to report any infractions.
Oakland's first blaclout had been
accomplished in successful fashion.