Evening star., 1942-02-28

what preparations have been made
by private homes, stores, restau-
rants, industrial plants not essential
to national defense, apartments,
hotels and theaters for blacking
out, enabling them still to proceed
with normal activity, not merely
turning out lights and halting those
activities.
In connection with the Tuesday
blackout, John j. Payette, deputy
afraid warden in charge of thea
ters, announced all theaters in the
District will cooperate 100 per cent
with local defense officials. All
theaters, he said, are prepared to
continue the presentation of their
respective shows and will remain
open for the public. All precau-
tionary measures and lights neces-
sary for the safety of patrons will
be in effect.
Arlington to Cooperate.
Seeking to eliminate confusion
on the part of numerous residents
of Arlington County concerning
Tuesday nights blackout," County
Defense Director Frank C. Hanra-
han today announced that the
county would cooperate with the
District in observing blackout regu-
lations from pm. Tuesday until
m. Wednesday.
Mr.. Hanrahan emphasized that no
lights will be permitted to be visible
in any home or business establish
ment. Maximum penalties for vio-
lation are $50 fine and 80 days in
jail
Any place Of business or home
that is properly screened to keep
light from showing may have lights
on the inside, Mr.. Hanrahan pointed
out Any exceptions, such as safe
lights" in business houses, must
have prior approval by county police.
The test blackout is considered
vital to the defense program, the
county manager warned, and rules
must be observed although hard
ships are inflicted on some persons
The blackout Tuesday also will
include Montgomery County, where
a law enacted in December makes
blackout violators liable to a fine
not to exceed $50 or 80 days in jail.
Hyattsville Penalties.
The penalty in Hyattsville is 81 to
S25 fine, Is days in Jail or both.
Though there is no uniform law
throughout Prince Georges County,
several towns in the county have
passed ordinances similar to Hyatts-
ville's.
Fairfax County has adopted an
ordinance carrying penalties up to
$50 and 80 days, or both, but the
ordinance does not become effective
until March 9. County officials
warned, however, that the blackout
order applies to all sections of Fair
fax, except defense projects.
Dean Lands telegraphed all re-
gional directors of civilian defense
in coastal areas calling on them to
request States and communities to
take immediate steps in accordance
with the policy of extinguishing
lights which cannot be controlled at
once.
"Unessential lighting Of this char
acter," he said, lis now positive
hazard to the safety Of the civilian
population in coastal areas which
may be subject to enemy attack.
1T is vital that this step be taken
to insure effective, immediate, total
blackout of these vulnerable commu-
mites in case of air raid
II know this may involve sacrifice
on the part of citizens In many COM
munities, but these are times in
which the safety of the entire COM
munity depends on the cooperation
of all Of us and on the willingness of
each individual to sacrifice his own
interests where that is necessary.
II believe that each community
will recognize the seriousness Of this
problem and will cooperate to the
fullest extent"