Evening star., 1941-03-23
D. T.. BIackout
Test Is Asked
By Randolph
House Subcommittee
On Defense
Meets Tomorrow

An experimental total blackout OF
Washington and an air defense
demonstrations plan designed to
give residents of the Capital pre-
view of what might happen here IN
the event of war-waS proposed last
night by Chairman Randolph OF
the House District Committee.
Military and national defense
officials will be asked what they
think of the plan at meeting at
1918 am. tomorrow of the Special
National Defense Subcommittee OF
the House District Committee, which
Mr.. Randolph heads,
Washington can we'll take leader
ship" he said, lin joining other far
sighted cities in a practical test OF
civilian cooperation for all-out de-
fenSe."
Mr.. Randolph said success of re-
cent blackout experiments in the
New England States, and especially
the latest one in Seattle, convinced
him a blackout should be given a
trial here, because in the event OF
war Washington probably would be
among the first of the Atlantic Sea-
board cities to be attacked from the
air.
Natural Target, He Says.
IN preparing against the attack.
which we hope will never come,
he said, we must recognize that
Washington, which is within 100
miles of the ocean and 40 miles from
Chesapeake Bay, would be a natural
target for air raiders from the sea. "
1t is Mr.. Randolph's intention to
reproduce the Seattle blackout in
Washington. There, on March 7,
in the darkness of the night, the
wall of 100 sirens gave the signal
for all lights out" Automobiles on
the streets automatically extin-
guished their lights. Slowly, the
street lights went out, and in a
few moments the lights in private
homes and Office buildings slowly
faded out. In 26 minutes the city
was in complete darkness.
The whole principle of modern de-
fense, now that the most devastating
warfare has shifted from the lanc
and sea to the air" Mr.. Randolph
said, lis based on full participation
of civilian populations. A trial black
out not only will serve to bring home
dramatically to the people the i'm
portance of the defense effort which
we are backing to the full extent OF
our resources, but will give them a
concept of what Great Britain is
now taking night after night and
how urgent it is to speed every
measure for British aid
Plans to Be Considered.
Behind closed doors the defense
subcommittee will consider Mr.. Ran
dolphs proposal for a blackout as
well as other plans for the protec-
tion of Washington during the peri
cd of the national emergency. 1t
is the purpose of the subcommittee
to cooperate with all local organi-
zations as well as military and naval
officials concerned with the safety
of the city and its inhabitants in
the event the United States should
become involved in the European
war.
The chief witnesses before the SUBJ
committee will be Gen. Albert l..
Cox. commander of the District Ma
tional Guard; Frank Bane, director
OF State and Local Cooperation of
the Council of National Defense;
Col. G. dFreest Larner, general
manager of the National Aeronautics
Association, and aviation director for
the District Department of the
American Legion, and Richmond B
Keech, corporation counsel of the
District.
Anti-sabotage measures, designed
TO protect Washington's public build
ings, the water distribution and sup
ply systems and such vital public
utilities as the electric and gas COM
panies are among the other items tc
be considered by the subcommittee
Organize Elkins Blackout.
With the aid of the District Ma.
tional Guard, Mr. Randolph last fal
organized blackout demonstration
in his native town of Elkins, w. Va
Anti-aircraft guns, searchlights
sirens and loudspeakers, he said
fully simulated war conditions.
Enthusiastic cooperation was re.
eeived from 10000 people in tn,
area" he said
Mr. Randolph expressed conf
dence that the more than 1000,00l
persons who reside in Washington
and contiguous area in Maryland
and Virginia will join in his proposed
"blackout night" which he Sait
should set a precedent for othe
cities throughout the Nation.
w. H Hargrave, commander o
the District department of the LIE
gion. said the 5000 Washington
members of the Legion would ali
authorities in the blackout night
they are asked.
The Legion already has made ten
tative plans for such an emergency
he said.
I'VE have key men IN every sec
tion of the city who can summon
1000 men into emergency servic
within two hours by telephone. w
have already had some instruction
in that phase of national defense
and we are willing either to lea
such a movement or to fall in lin
with any other group or group
which proposes to lead"
He cited the recent blackout il
Seattle in which 5000 Legionnaire
patroled the streets and general
assisted authorities.