BLACK-OUT AND E.P.S. TRIAL

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23714, 12 August 1942, Page 4

BLACK-OUT AND E.P.S. TRIAL

Sir, —The proposed trial black-out in a fortnight’s time and a full-scale E.P.S. trial appear more likely to be a “wash-out.” Mr Machin states that the completion of drafting of men into the Home Guard is nearly finalised. The facts are that many wardens have just received notice of their transfer; that many blocks have been reduced in manpower to three and four men, and there is no guarantee that in a fortnight’s time even those stout fellows may be among the missing. In these circumstances it is ridiculous even to suggest trials and black-outs. The same state of chaos applies to commercial fire guards. I personally know a large city firm which has had a fully-trained fire guard in operation for the last eight months. Now the majority have been transferred to the Home Guard and their eight months’ training has just been a glorious waste of time.—Yours, etc., SOCRATES. August 7, 1942. [Mr Machin made the following comment on this letter: “The real Socrates would probably say, ‘lf you cannot have all you would wish, do the best with what you have.’”]