Evening star., 1942-10-23
ForeibIe Entry Right
Asked for Wardens
During Raid Tests
Defense Council Told
Watchers Do Not Know
Reel Nature of Alarm

Asserting that he realized his pro-
posal violates $50 years OF tradition
of American civil liberties" Richard
M. Barr of Mount Pleasant never
theless placed before the Civilian
Defense Council last night the pro-
posal that afraid wardens be
given the right of forcible entry
into homes violating blackout regu-
lations during simulated as we'll as
actual blackouts.
Though know will face objec-
tions from those who think a mans
home is his CASTLE" declared Mr..
Barr. Il believe the safety of many
should not be placed in jeopardy by
lack of responsibility of the part
of the few"
Assumption by the council OF
financial responsibility for warden
posts in all areas instead of the cost
being borne by individual defense
organizations was proposed by Will
liam L. Tancil Of Howard Park.
proposes COnLTlDutlOn.
Mr.. Tancil's proposal, referred
with Mr.. Bars for consideration
by the councils next meeting No
vember 10, asked that each area be
required to turn in to the council
quota of one dollar for each mem
Der Of its adult population. The
money would then be allocated in
all areas at the discretion of the
council and with the aid OF an
auditing committee.
The council also heard 1t Comdr.
F.. A. R. McNab of the Royal Navy
Volunteer Reserve express the be-
lief "that the people of Washing
ton or New York would undoubtedly
respond in the same magnificent
way to AFRAID conditions as did the
people of London"
In making his request for right
OF forcible entry, to be studied by
the Resolutions Committee till the
next meeting, Mr.. Barr emphasized
that wardens are given no indica-
tion "as a rule" whether afraid
warnings are real or simulated. Un-
der those circumstances, he said,
inability to enter a home showing
lights might prove serious if the
raid should turn out to be real.
Wardens do have the right to enter
homes in case of real raids, he re-
minded, but valuable time might be
lost while a warden was deciding
whether or not the warning really
meant the presence of planes.
AS a guarantee against misuse Of
the authority, he continued, wardens
could be required to have a mem
Der OF the regular or auxiliary po-
lice force present during the first
few months after the right of forci-
BILE entry had been granted. At the
discretion of the civilian defense
authorities, Mr.. Barr concluded,
when wardens were considered suf-
ficiently trained to bear the respon-
sibility, they could be given the right
to enter homes violating the black
out without an accompanying DO
| lceman.
Wish Identification Cards.
On the recommendation of Maui
rice F. White of North East, the
council voted to ask Defense Co.
ordinator John Russell Young for
Identification cards so that mem
bers of civilians defense committees
as we'll as actual wardens might
be permitted on tours of inspection
during blackouts. At present, Mr..
White explained in making his mo-
ton, members of the committees
are forced to remain in igno-
rance Of happenings during black
out tests because they are not per-
mitted out of doors.
Comdr. McNab, member of the
l2-man crew organized in the first
days of the London blitz to deal
with magnetic" mines landing un-
exploded in such places as st. James
Park and war factories, praised the
citizens Of London for their refusal
to leave the city and their jobs
during the worst days of the blitz.
The services did good work, too,
during the raids" he said, "but
after all it was their job" The
civilians, he said, responded with
spirit of cooperation and cour-
age that the commander was sure"
would be duplicated in any Ameri-
can city during similar circum-
stances.
Leonard Tucker, president of the
council, presided at .tle meeting
held in the United States Chamber
of Commerce.