The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-09-03
Present Rigid Plan In Inland Sectors
 Held Unnecessary
War Effort Would Not Be Weakened By Raising Illumination Levels Charges Motor Vehicle
 Commissioner John T.. Mccarthy

tacks by thugs and hoodluns."
 Commissioner Mccarthy stated that he had sent copies of the dim. out accident surveys to the mayors of the five cities with the sugges- ton that they consult with local police chiefs to determine effects of reduced street lighting on general public safety.
 The reports to which Commis- sioner Mccarthy referred developed conclusions critical of maintaining prevailing dimout regulators, stat ing that 1t is an imposition on civil ian safety to insist on Q veil of darkness each evening as protection against what has become increas- ingly an unlikelihood of aerial at- tack in these areas.
 "This veil of darkness should be lifted" summarizes the study corn- mittee's report, If the public Is to enjoy reasonably safe movement during hours of darkness between sunset and sunrise. Adequate street lighting has proved a major factor in prevention of dark hour traffic conflicts, also in safeguarding pe- destrians subjected to attack by thugs when darkened streets cloak their actions.
 '"There is definitely a lack of agreement among military author ities as to whether or not the bea- con effect of skyglow has any prac- tical significance as @ guide to en- emy aviators. Grave doubt exists, therefore, as to the Justification for the current rigid restrictions effec- tive inland so far from coastal wa- ters. Changing conditions warrants re-examining the situation at req sonable intervals.
 Tn support of Commissioner Me- Carthy's recommendation the Dinn- out Study Committee issues this statement:
 "High ranking officers of the Air Corps, the War Department Gener- al Stall and the Corps of Engineers, according to published statement, have concurred with illumination experts that the beacon effect off sky glow has no practical signiftc- ance as a guide to enemy aviators.
 '"The reasons given are CD radi. cally improved technique of naviga- ton by stellar patterns, (0 guid- ance afforded by commercial broad casting stations which, incidentally, are not banned from the air during test blackouts and (3) the likeli- hood that aerial attacks on this country would be carried out when bombing conditions were favorable that Is. on clear moonlight nights when landmarks are visible.
 "Your committee further believes, and comedies this is merely personal opinion,' that in the event of aerial bombing the enemy will select more important targets on the Atlantic Coast than offered in the Connec- ticut Valley.
 Darkness may be required con- cludes the committee statement, Tor protection of coastal shipping but skyglow from such inland coninluni- ties as Hartford, Waterbury, New not. according to competent tech Britain. Bristol and Meriden does nical illumination experts, endang. CT maritime movement. Important industrial plants may require con- cealment from enemy eyes but. on the other hand. adequate illumina- ton is essential for the safe nove- ment of war workers at night and essential public travel.
 Coming months bring curtailed daylight. Now is the logical time to initiate appraisals of standards of safe lighting for various classes of streets to promote public safety. It is further suggested that now is good time to abrogate altogether present restrictions regarding house. hold illumination in the five cities named"