Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-07-29
Mason 10 Ask Ruling
On Ban Against Use
Of Fire Engine Sirens
Commissioner Will Seek
Restoration Of Signals
On D. c. Apparatus

The confusion regarding the ban
of sirens on Washington's fire en-
gines was increased today as Com
missioner Guy Mason said he would
seek an official Army ruling on the
matter after high ranking Army
officer earlier stated the use of
sirens was matter of Interpretation
of AFRAID regulations by local
authorities.
Mr.. Mason yesterday said the
Commissioners many times before
had sought modification OF the
regulations-which prohibit the use
of sirens when they might be con-
fused with AFRAID warnings--but
later corrected himself and said the
matter had not been placed for
mally before the proper authorities
although it had been discussed fire.
quently.
The siren question was brought to
head by collision Tuesday be-
tween hook-and-ladder truck and
commercial van which resulted in
the fatal injury of Fireman Everett
L. Owens, ~, of Bradbury Heights,
Md. Public indignation over the
absence of suitable and effective
warning devices on fire-fighting ap-
paratus has mounted steadily since
the crash.
Mason Acts for Young.
Mr.. Mason, acting for Commits
sioner John Russell Young, who
normally handles such matters but
is away on vacation, had a brief
telephone conversation yesterday
with Maj. Gen. John T. Lewis, COM
handing officer of the Washington
military district. The application
for modification of air regulations
will be addressed to the general, Mr..
Mason said.
Gen. Lewis yesterday referred all
inquiries to Col William F. Rehm,
his executive officer. Col. Rehm de-
clared sirens had not been banned
definitely by Army regulations but
that their use hinged on the inter-
probation of orders prohibiting them
where they might be confused with
AFRAID signals. He added the
opinion that the Commissioners had
acted logically in ordering sirens
discarded for the duration of the
war
The National Office of Civilian
Defense had not banned sirens, it
was recalled yesterday, and had
issued no order outlawing them. A
statement from Director James j.
Lands to the Senate District Com
mittee counsel was produced in veri-
fication of this statement.
Cite Army Instructions.
OCD also quoted from a state
ment by 1t. Gen. Hugh Drum, head
of the Eastern Defense Command,
in which he said the use of sirens
was not specifically prohibited but
their use would have to be so gov
erned as to avoid any confusion
with AFRAID warnings.
Gen. Drums orders on afraid
signals became effective last Feb
ruary 81, at which time the District
Commissioners banned sirens on all
emergency vehicles in the city. The
ban was invoked despite the objec-
lions OF Fire Chief Stephen Porter
and Highway Director H. C. White
hurst.
Mr.. Mason said his applica ton to
Gen. Lewis will cover only fire en-
gines, excluding police vehicles, am
balances and any other emergency
equipment.
Gen. Lewis Office indicated the
request would be forwarded to
Eastern Defense Command Head
quarters for, further action.
Funeral Saturday.
Funeral services for Mr. Owens
will be held at II am. Saturday
at Hysong's funeral home.
A veteran of almost 10 years
service in the Fire Department.,
all of 1t spent at No. / Truck Com
pany, Mr.. Owen also was we'll
known amateur athlete in the city.
Burial will be in Washington Ma
tional Cemetery.
Mr.. Owens is survived by his
widow, Mrs. jeanette M. Owens; an
8-year-old son, Everett L. Owens.
jr., and another son by a previous
marriage, Francis Leigh Owens, 20.
Mr.. Owens also Is survived by two
stepdaughters and a stepson. chill
dren OF Mrs. Owens by a previous
marriage. They are Mrs. Thomas
Leo Chappelear, %; Miss Mildred
Connick, 20, and William M. Con-
nick 16