Evening star., 1942-12-02
BIackout Test
Takes Even 0CD
BySurprise
Only 28 Violations
Reported by Police;
Results Are 'Spotty'

ocp diiu Acpt bcCIeG Dy Army au-
thorities, caught most civilian de-
tense officials and the public un-
aware last night, but produced only
% cases Of blackout violations to
be presented to the corporation
counsel for prosecution.
Police said today that, in addition
TO the cases presented for prosecu-
ton, only % warnings have been
issued to blackout violators as a
result OF last nights test.
TWO persons arrested last night
and charged with breaking blackout
rules were released today after post
ing bond. Hyman Gurewitz, So. of
6o23 Fifth street NV. posted $25
bond to insure his appearance In
Police Court Tuesday on a charge
of auto light violation. Ruth Fal-
kerson, 20, of 410 Cedar street NV.
gave a IS bond and elected to for
felt.
Results Called Spotty.
Col. Lemuel Bolles, executive
director Of District civilian defense,
said the blackout, though "spotty, -
was satisfactory performance.
Street lights on several main
streets blazed nearly nine minutes
after the warning signal and there
were a few glaring instances where
store owners particularly had been
caught completely off guard. But
civilian defense officials considered
that "for bad night and a complete
surprise" the blackout was fairly
we'll carried out.
Col. Bolles said "95 per cent of the
organization worked effectively" but
warned: IF you need a 10-foot rope
ana you get a rope feet II inches
long, 1t isn't long enough" The
system must be made perfect, he
said.
Street Lights Problem.
The executive civilian defense
director said he would renew his
recommendation that the turning
OF OF street lights be transferred to
the afraid warden service, system
he said has worked effectively in
New York and Philadelphia. Street
lights here are now extinguished
during blackouts by selected police
men.
That the blackout test, the first
mere In more than two months came
As complete surprise to manv
civilian defense officials was en-
phasized this morning by Charles
Stofberg, aide to Civilian Defense
Co-ordinator John Russell Young.
The Commissioners late yesterday
adopted the usual order for a black
out, but left the time blank. The
time, Mr.. Stofberg said, was de-
termined by Brig. Gen. John T.
Lews, commander of the military
district OF Washington.
Large Crowds on Street.
When the public warning sounded
at 8:c2 pm. streets were crowded
with early evening traffic and sew
eral civilian defense meetings, in
cluding gathering of deputy war
dens, were in session.
At the National Catholic School of
Social Service, Conrad Van Hyning,
director of civilian war assistance,
was preparing to deliver civilian
defense talk to District members of
the American Association of Social
Workers.
The test lasted 27 minutes, with
the sirens sounding the all-clear
at 8:49 pm. The yellow signal was
flashed at 7:55 and the blue at
8:13.
The blackout was the first held
under regulations issued October IS
providing that civilian defense Off
cials in this area shall seek per-
mission for all test blackouts from
the commander of the Military
District of Washington rather than
from Third Region Civilian De-
fense officials as previously.
In most private houses, lights went
out or shades were pulled promptly
when the sirens sounded. Scattered
lights, however, were visible in many
sections of the city long after the
blackout began.
In several cases, 1t was reported,
night watchmen assigned to extin-
guish store and sign lights were
caught by surprise and were slow in
cutting off the electricity.
At shoe repair establishment on
Eleventh street where a large neon
advertising sign depicts a shoe
walking, the shoe kept right on
walking for about eight minutes
after the public warning was given
until police and air raid wardens
finally found way of extinguish-
ing the light.
js. Some Street Lights On.
Omcials touring during the black
out said they noticed that street
lights on the east side of Upper Six
teenth street, on Connecticut ave-
nue.. Constitution avenue and Seven
teenth between Corcoran street and
Constitution avenue were still on fol-
"a number of minutes" after the
sirens had ceased to sound the pub
lie warning.
Making an observation tour to-
Rether were Co-ordinator Young
Commissioner Guy Mason, Police
Supt. Maj. Edward Kelly and Col
Bolles. The group began the in.
spection trip at the thirteenth police
precinct, Ninth and U streets NV.
after the red signal had been given
For part of the tour. the official.
were joined by Gen. Lewis and Col
william r. Rehm, G-3 officer under
Gen. Lewis.
Wardens and auxiliary policemen
on the street during the blackou,
reported bright automobile light.
shed streams of light for block
on the wet streets. Auxiliar,
policemen stopped a number o.
emergency vehicles with a request
for them to dim their lights, bu
remarked that headlamp coverings
which the District has been in pro
cess of getting for many month.
would be a much more effective
solution to the blackout drivin,
problem.