The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-12-24

first years Of the war studied the
8 hlackouts and air raids. on the
OF Information in London.
covered with black paper on the
side nearest the window. thus pre-
venting direct rays from leaking
out. However. this is not enough,
because indirect light from the
walls through the sides Of the
black window curtains reflects off
the window glass onto the cur
tains. making them appear a little
less black"
"one Of the most popular and
inexpensive methods the British
use to meet this problem Brown
said. is to put wooden Stats over
the sides of the curtains. and at
tsch the Stats TO the walls. thus
holding the curtains tsut To the
walls. Another. somewhat more
costly method. is to get portable
shutters of plywood or cardboard.
These are especially constructed TO
fit perfectly inside the window
frame.
MUST RE CAREFUL
1T Is possible 10 do a good home
made blackout job with curtains.
he said, but the job must be done
carefully and competently. In the
early days we used all manner of
improvised procedures. We even
had steamer rugs on windows. at
the beginning"
Discussing the broader aspects
Of the effects of blackouts on the
public mood. he went on:
1T is amazing how quickly
people get used to this emergency
condition. Human adjustability Is
big factor. In Britain, we now
live two lives. One part of the
mind focuses on normal routine.
another part is on the lookout for
danger. This is not as much of a
nervous strain as II might appear.
The part of the mind that Is watch
ing for danger signs. alarms, or
such, acts sub-consciously - until
the moment Of actual danger
comes. 1t does not encroach on
our normal life.
RECOGNIZE DANGER QUICk
I'VE recognize the signs Of
danger quickly - watch and listen
for them then when IL Is over,
the normal part of the mind asserts
itself again and the danger is for
gotten"
Citing some interesting points
regarding the experience Of Brit
ons in walking the streets during
blackouts, Brown states that on
moonlight nights. obviously, the
problem of finding ones way is
less serious. When the night sky
is overcast. however, transporta-
ton becomes difficult.
you can't get around easily
in a part Of the town you don't
know" he explained, hut II
you are familiar with the To-
cality. your knowledge Of
buildings and roads Ia helpful.
Generally speaking. the chief
guide in walking Is TO follow the
skyline Of buildings. II you are
in the downtown district OF q city,
you can sight your way by glanc-
ing upward at regular intervals.
In my home community In England.
I knew / was nearing my house be-
cause ! recognized the roof Of the
house next door. That roof had
slightly different shape. Figur-
atively speaking. we walk along
from roof TO roof instead Of from
door to door"
LOOK OUT FOR TREES
Sometimes that means humping
into a tree. Brown cautioned. Lamp
posts, were not a problem in this
respect because since the war the
lamp posts In Britain have been
painted with broad bands OF white
paint. giving visibility.
Here are a few useful tricks that
British pedestrians have developed
to facilitate walking during black
outs. as cited BY Brown:
Garry . handkerchief or .
newspaper when crossing
road Cgsrets are helpful
draw on the eigsret when you
hear footballs; its glow acts ~
. signal to the person ap-
preaching. Walk slowly-un-
le>s on . street with which you
are quite familiar.
In blaekOut conditions. the
senses become more acute as they
accuston themselves to seeing IN
the dark" Brown added. Sight
and hearing are particularly keen
Sometimes you sense q person COM
ing even before you hear the steps.
Familiarity with streets, roads.
or paths La a big advantage. There
was a cinder path near my home,
that ! knew very well ! used II
during blzckouts. The center was
fiat because the cinoers were crush
ed. although ] could not see.
knew was going off my path
whenever I found myself walking
on large einderx"
The moral Of that. he ron
eioded. Ma 10 remain as much
q. practicable In familiar dss-
tricts during hsackoutA-