The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-03-30

New. York, N. Y, March % - 1t
is easy to be swivel chair expert
on matters of offense and defense
in connection with our world in
trouble. Leaders are frequently,
very irritable at peoplew no criti-
CHE or offer friendly suggestions on
ways and means of accomplishing a
purpose with a beneficial angle for
community good.
More than three months have
elapsed since the writer first
preached the idea Of natural net
Work for spreading air raid alarms
IN New York and which communi-
cation experts said could be APP
olied on a national picture. 1t has
1een the rounds OF municipal, po-
lice. army and Washington, D. C..
spots and all report the idea has
merit then pass it along to some
one else for approval. To describe
my plan briefly it was simply to
erge and eliminate duplication OF
services by all existing automatic
communications systems, many OF
which work by remote control, such
as Western Union, Postal Telegraph,
New York Telephone automatic
machines, American District Tele-,
graph, Holmes Electric Protective
and then by relay system through a
score of other interoft1ce means,
Teleregister, Telegraph and loud
speaker systems that would reach
millions in this city alone.
The writer has observed these
various devices working in one
elace or another. was assured by
responsible representatives of many
concerns whose cooperation would
be necessary that the plan would
work and could be put into action
in q few hours If given the sanction
of people in charge of air raid
alarms. There would be no expense
to the government, STAGE or City
in its management. The firms in
volved in its operation would alb
serb whatever cost applied to their
individual units.
After three months New York has
still ION order the majority OF
sound devices that are to warn, OF
impending danger, that each hour
draws nearer to actually. This
available make-shift alarm equip
ment on hand is not being put to
work! About dozen private firms
Just abandoned thoughts OF help
evidently not wanted.
There are fortunately opportuni-
ties to enjoy a laugh even in the
serious business of blackouts. This
is a story of a Boy Scout who was
assigned as messenger from sub
urban village headquarter to first
aid station three blocks away.
The night was dark and misty
His mother insisted that he wear a
heavy sweatshirt under his Boy
Scout uniform for protection
against the weather.
Things moved along as planned
All Westchester BACKED out when
the alarm was sounded. A man IN
command gave the Boy Scout a
message to deliver to the first aid
station. The husky, roly-poly youth
hustled away, keeping close to the
inside of the sidewalk as he made
his way along the darkened street
He thought he heard an automobile
moving very slowly. Then In the
darkness a voice said: Hey you,
you got no business walking. You
are a casualty" The messenger re-
piled II am not, I'm Boy Scout
acting as a messenger"
One of the men grabbed him and
said, sorry son, but you're cas-
ualty, whether you know 1t or not"
The Boy Scout started to squirm in
tending to break away and run for
it. This was something he had not
been told about. Another man join
ed in the skirmiSh and subduel him
by wrapping a blanket around the
Scout. They lifted him of his feet
and placed him on stretcher. I'VE
can't let him get pneumonia" said
the leader. Better wrap another
blanket around him.. After that
was done they lifted stretcher mad
boy into the waiting Ambulance"
which happened to be q hearse in
norway days. They proceeded to the
first aid station.
On arrival the attendant at the
door asked. What have we here?"
The leading stretcher bearer re-
piled tits a casualty" The Boy
Scout perked up. I'm no casualty,
I'm q Boy Scout with . massage.