Evening star., 1942-08-19
bIackout Test
Goes Smoothly
In NearbyArea
Fewer Complaints
Received Than in
Previous Triols

Civilian defense officials in the
Metropolitan Area OF Marylsfd and
Virginia today had fewer complaints
to investigate as a result Of LAST
nights blackout than in any pre-
vious test.
Lack of secrecy preceding the
surprise" test drew complaints
from some officials. One refused"
to participate in future tests IL
leaks" continue. They said I..aks"
tipping of air raid officials and the
public destroyed the effectiveness
Of the trial.
Observers in an Army plane
which flew over Washington and
nearby areas last night saw lights
along the Mount Vernon Memorial
highway and along one street in
Alexandria. Park police said officers
had been instructed to turn of the
highway lights on the yellow signal
but that no report had been re-
ceived that the lights were extin-
guished
In Alexandria, City Manager Carl
Budwesky, who is defense director,
said the signals are received there
several minutes after they are re-
cevied in Washington and that the
only delay there last night was on
King street, which remained lighted
the sirens completed their signals.
Observers in the Army plane, how
ever. were insistent that q street
remained Illuminated In Alexandria.
Official Deplores Leaks.
In Prince Georges County the
blackout went OF very WE'LL" ac-
cording to Chief Air Raid Warden
E. F. zalesak. There were a few
violations. These will be investi-
gated with a view to bringing the
offenders into court, he added.
At the same time, he deplored
the leak" which, he said, enabled
hundreds of county residents to
know about the blackout in ad-
vance.
There's no sense in having Sc
called surprise blackouts If informa-
ton leaks out in advance" he de-
clared. I'VE simply will not par
ticipate in any future surprise air
raid tests II this leak continues"
The county control center was
flooded with more than 800 phone
calls yesterday afternoon from resi-
dents who said they had heard OF
the scheduled blackout. he asserted.
A number of automobiles bearing
Virginis tags were noted driving
with lights during the blackout, Mr..
Zalesak said. He added that a con-
ference Of civilian defense ofncials
viii be held to determine whether
any action can be taken against
out-of-town motorists who. violated
the blackout.
Carnival Crowd Stays Out.
Some dimculty was experienced in
taking care OF the more than 1000
people who attended the st. James
Church carnival on Rhode Island
avenue during the blackout, he said.
Ordinarily they would have been
forced to take cover in the church,
but because Of the large attendance
they we're permitted to remain on
the carnival lot.
Observance Of the test in Mont.
gomery County was much better
last night than in the surprise
blackout on August 10. according
to reports received at the County
Control Center.
A poll of police stations this
morning indicated that IL COM
plants had been made in Silver
Spring and four warrants issued:
one warrant issued in Bethesda;
three complaints in Rockville. two
OF which were for refusal to turn
out lights after a warning was
issued by wardens, and two COM
plants in Gaithersburg.
Violations Investigated.
Arlington County ofilcials were
investigating reports Of 80 viola
tions received from wardens but
Defense Co-ordinator c. G. Stone
burner said the test was more sue
cessful than any held previously
because the length of the test gave
wardens an opportunity to cover"
the county more thoroughly.
Defense Director Frank c. Ham
rahan said the Navy Building at
Columbia pike and Arlington Ridge
road was not as dark as he con-
sidered Government buildings
should be.
Meanwhile, two persons we're fined
IS and costs in the Arlington Trial
Justice Court today on charges Of
violating the surprise test on the
night Of August 10. They, are Don
Tudor, 1913 North Edison street, and
j. P. Shelton, Wilson boulevard and
North Barton street.
Ten warrants will be issued
against persons in Alexandria for =
violating last nights test, onicials
said