The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-12-22
BY ED KERR NEA stan Correspondent

blues are being sung these days m the San Francisco palaces of enter- tainment- -stage, screen, and liquid.
 "Blackout" means blackout, and there are plenty of headaches con- Yiected with the same ir the city by the Golden Gate.
 Tho headaches are mostly claimed by the night club owners, restau- rant proprietors, and theater man. agers, to whom blackouts and threats of blackouts have brought an immediate decrease in business.
 San FrancIscans are staying home in droves in this far-famed capital Of gay night life. The city hes the greatest number Of bars per caplta in the country--and most of these do q good business Ali the time. But not when black outs threaten,
 Widely known for It's restau- rants, San .Francisco's dining places are usually full of satis. fled customers, but when they aro apt to be caught in the dark m the midst of their soup course, can they be expected to like itp
 Despite blackouts, theaters con- tlnue entertainment, but if, after tho show you may have to 60 out Into the eerie, silent blackness and are unable to ride homo in your own cor, taxi, or street car, you are mighty apt to stay home in the first place. And that is just what iS happening.
 The Golden Gate City is one of the cities on the Pacific coast that was unprepRred for blaekouts. "tt can't happen here," was tho thenG of oil thoughts on the subject ard it was lightly passed over for pleaSanter topics.
 And now oil coastal cities are having to learn how to blackout, and how to carry on normally in spite of uncertain conditions. VERBAL sCoRCHING
 GIVEN SAN FRANCISCANS
 London learned how to live in constant blackouts, and soon vas carrying on its usual activities ln spite of abnormal conditions. Pa- ellie coast ports don't have to pre- pare for constant darkness--not Just yet, anyhow.
 Calm acceptance Of conditions will probably come here, too, as soon as everyone prepares for emergencies. Because it's not fear that has gripped the average San- Franciscan, it's just dislike of in. convenience, and when he's learn- cd to get around, or prepare for it, he'il hardly mind 1t at oil.
 General Dewitt, commanding officer of the Pacific coast area, spoke sharply to fumbling San Francisco city officials after tho all too brilliant first "blaekou" attempt. After his blunt words, civilian defense was quickly or. gani2ed more effectively, and the latest blackout was most success ftli.
 Most homes and places of buSi- ness are not yet prepared to cons tlnue "buSineAs AS usual" during tlfe danger period. Since no cracks of light arO permitted by the yisi- laft military patrols, it takes bOnio tltnc 10 flnd HHu HeHL up ull the chinkB for efficient indoor ops eratlon in spite of raid alarms.
 First blaekoutS found most peo- pic iudlcrouSly iinprepared.
 Unannounced air raid warnings merely caused most sleepy citizens to put on their lights 10 sea what oil tho excitement was about.
 Second reaction was to put out the lights, light q candle instead, and so back to bed.
 However, when the BeriougneAs of tho situation was realzIed, eyery- one cooperatod to gratifying oX- tent.
 Candles and lanterns in open windows were thought to be all right, but it was announced that these are easily visible from the afr, and make C definite city pat. tern to tho observer above.
 On the day after tho first black. out, every store in the place sold out It's whole supply of flaShiights and batteries, aB well As most of ita hi0AE AlAth Hiaak AAiVft SVaA