Evening star., 1941-12-11
Nearby Areas
Co-ordinatinq
Defense Plans
Montgomery to Put
In Central Alarm
system for Suburbs

fTOSTSSS WAS ItpOl lCO CoNoS Al eiAN
coordination of protective measures
in the nearby Maryland and Virginia
areas as civilian defense officials an
nounced new orders for volunteer
workers and issued instructions to
the public.
Mrs. Alma Ramsay, executive sec
retarv of the Northern Virginia Re-
eional Defense Council, with head
quarters at Alexandria, reported 10
State defense officials at Richmond
Yesterday that protective measures
in the District of Columbia and the
Arlington Fairfax Alexandra area
were in need of better coordination.
She told the Executive Committee
of the State Defense Council re-
quests were broadcast by radio from
Washington for a test blackout
Tuesday night, but that no COM
munications were handled through
the Regional Defense Council ana
consequently there was no co-orol-
nation. However, the blackout re-
hearsal later was called of.
Arlington and Fairfax Counties
and the city of Alexandria, she eX-
planned, come under the washington
co-ordinator In matters pertaining
TO protection. although they remain
a part of the Virginia Regional
Councils administrative area.
Prince Georges Plans Rushed
Gov. Price said he would have a
State representative look into the
situation, the Associated Press re-
ported.
Prince Georges County, which
likewise would work with the wash
ington Metropolitan Area through
liaison wardens. rapidly is approach
ing the stage of complete prepared
ness. Col. Henry S. Barrett, Mary
land chief afraid warden said.
While no Maryland communities
will be asked to stage blackout re-
hearsal until its civilian defense Or
ganization is set up and trained
properly. the Virginia defense or
ganization said that any trial black
outs should be preceded by ample
notice to avoid situations OF public
confusion such as developed in the
New York and New England area
TUESDAY with the reported approach
of enemy planes from over the At
lantic Ocean.
1t was expected, however, that
despite the policies Of the two near
by States as a whole, the MetropoH-
tan Areas in these States would de-
eide on a plan which closely follows
regulations in the District.
Central Alarm Proposed.
Fire departments in the eastern
md western suburban areas of Mont
pomery County today pushed plans
for the installation of central alarm
system so that air-raid signals can
be given without delay to each de-
partment.
At a meeting last night in the
Chew Chase Fire Department, at
tended by county fire chiefs, it was
decided to install the alarm system
for the eastern suburban area IN
Silver Spring to take care OF the
Takoma Park, Kensington and
Hillandale Fire Departments.
The western suburban area CEN
tral alarm switchboard will be IN
stalled at Bethesda and will be
hooked up with the CABIN John'
Glen Echo and Chevy Chase Fire
Departments.
Raymond Leavitt of the telephone
company said that installation could
be completed within "a hours after
plans have been approved by the
various fire boards. The Rockville
Fire Department now has central
alarm system to take care Of de-
partments in the upper part OF the
county.
The Chew Chase Fire Board will
meet at s pm. Tuesday to act on the
matter.
Bethesdans Volunteer.
Meanwhile, the Bethesda Fire De-
partment has organized an auxiliary
of 200 volunteers to assist the oe-
partment in emergencies.
F.. Freeland Chew, chief deputy air
raid warden for Arlington County,
today announced the signal for air
raid alarms in his area. The be-
ginning of an alarm will be signaled
by all firehouse sirens in the county
being turned on for tWo-minute m
terval. Operators will answer the
telephones as usual and will be gwen
the signal. air raid" whereupon
the operator at the firehouSe Will
stand by for the two-minute interval.
The clear signal will be given with
one blast on the siren at each flre-
house, Mr.. Chew announced.
Yesterday, Maryland officials and
those in Alexandria announced air
raid alarm signals.
The generating plant of the Vir-
ginia Public Service plant in Alex
andria, on which the current supply
for the entire civilian population in
Northern Virginia depends, as well
as the naval torpedo plant. new
Government buildings and military
reservations within the area, was
being well guarded by detail Of
IS men from Company B, 44th En-
eineers at Fort Belvoir. Barracks
were being erected outside the gates
today and the men stand guard In
three shifts, "a hours a day.
A similar armed guard of 81 men
Is stationed at the Jones Point Sig
nal Corps radio station of the United
States Army in Alexandria. This
detail is from the Sd Cavalry of
Fort Myer. ,'.
Private Wire to Be Installed.
The Fairfax County Board of
Supervisors yesterday approved the
installation of a private wire tele-
phone connection with defense
headquarters in Washington, Ar
lington and Alexandria. The COM
munication headquarters in Fairfax
will be at the office of Capt. Carl R
Mcintosh, chief of the county po-
lice. in the trial justice building.
The supervisors deferred action on
private wires to the various sections
of the county
In Upper Marlboro. Md. School
Supt. Nicholas w. Orem sent let
ters to all Prince Georges County
principals directing them to make