Evening star., 1952-01-06
Officials Study Test
OF Raid Horns Here;
Many Miss Alarms

Civil Defense authorities will
study the results of yesterdays
air raid warning test in planning
the next moves toward an ef-
fective system Of alerting Dis
trict residents to possible attack.
Many persons completely missed
the pulsing beep-beep of yester-
days noontime tryout of the 34-
horn installations, even in the
downtown section.
On the other hand. one taXicab
passenger near the National Press
Building said he feared the noise
would shatter the windows of the
car. and a reporter outside the
Capitol said he heard the signals
from several directions.
Didn't Expect Full COverage.
I'VE knew we couldn't expect
to get full sound coverage," said
Civil Defense Director John E.
Fondahl.
He reported some fairly good
results in the downtown area, but
said that reactions from the outer
sections weren't too good. The
test raised some interesting points
for study. however, he added.
For instance, some people two
blocks away from a signal didn't
hear, while others quarter or
haIf-mile away heard fairly we'll"
he said.
In general, he noted, the reac-
ton on the vocal message possibly
was better than of the signal. The
Districts radio-controlled warn
ing system can be used for voice
broadcast in addition to sound
ing the air raid signal.
Voice Heard on System.
I'VE had reaction on the voice
part from 50 of mile away that
was good Col Fondahl reported.
He explained the test through the
amplifying system.
The Districts system is not
complete. Bids are being consid-
cred now for four more horns,
which would exhaust the funds
now available.
Col. Fondahl said more money
for air raid warning equipment
would be sought next fiscal year.
AS for the present system, civil
defense officials say that church
carillons might be used to bolster
it. These could be pressed into
service with the installation of
not -too-coStly electronic equip
ment, and still serve their normal
purpose.
Tone Tests Planned.
Were going to experiment a
little with sound frequency on
these horns" Col. Fondahl said.
I'VE feel they might give better
sound coverage if the tone fire.
quency were lowered Also, there
is a possibility that the sound
frequency on all the horns
should not be Identical. 1t might
be better to have them pitched
differently"
Ross Beville of Radio Station
WWDC, broadcast representative
on the civil defense communica-
tions advisory committee, reported
excellent cooperation from radio
and television stations and back
ground music services such as
Tempo, Muzak and Transit Radio
in the test.
There had been some appre-
hension that the test would con-
fiict with the arrival of British
Prime Minister Churchill. but the
visitor came in about is minutes
after the broadcasts.
Radio, TV Use Uncertain.
Col. Fondahl said there was
some uncertainty about the full
use of broadcasting facilities, in
case of an alert. The time at
which radio and televIsior sta
tionS were required to go of the
air apparently would determine
the extent to which this media
could be used.
Although the public was asked
to voice reactions, Col. Fondahl
reported less than 10 calls yester-
day. He said there might be some
mail response.