Transcript October 31, 1938 Federal Communications Commission Washington, D. C. COMPLAINT - WABC BROADCAST Gentlemen: To avoid a reoccurrence of a very grave and serious situation that developed in this community last night, due to the public’s misinterpretation of the broadcast through WABC at about 8:15, dramatizing H. G. Wells’ “War of the Worlds”, which completely crippled communication facilities of our Police Department for about three hours, I am requesting that you immediately make an investigation and do everything possible to prevent a reoccurrence. The situation was so acute that two thousand phone calls were received in about two hours, all communication lines were paralyzed and voided normal municipal functions. If we had had a large fire at this time it could have easily caused a more serious situation. Tremendous excitement existed among certain areas of this community and we were receiving constantly long distance phone calls from many states making inquiries of relatives and families thought to have been killed by the catastrophe that was included in the play. I can conceive of no reason why the name of Trenton and vicinity should have been used on this broadcast. The State Police were equally handicapped and it is indescribable the seriousness of this situation. Your prompt attention will be appreciated. Very truly yours, (Signed) PAUL MORTON CITY MANAGER [source:lettersofnote:wotw]


Transcript

October 31, 1938

Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D. C.

COMPLAINT - WABC BROADCAST

Gentlemen:

To avoid a reoccurrence of a very grave and serious situation that developed in this community last night, due to the public’s misinterpretation of the broadcast through WABC at about 8:15, dramatizing H. G. Wells’ “War of the Worlds”, which completely crippled communication facilities of our Police Department for about three hours, I am requesting that you immediately make an investigation and do everything possible to prevent a reoccurrence.

The situation was so acute that two thousand phone calls were received in about two hours, all communication lines were paralyzed and voided normal municipal functions. If we had had a large fire at this time it could have easily caused a more serious situation. Tremendous excitement existed among certain areas of this community and we were receiving constantly long distance phone calls from many states making inquiries of relatives and families thought to have been killed by the catastrophe that was included in the play.

I can conceive of no reason why the name of Trenton and vicinity should have been used on this broadcast. The State Police were equally handicapped and it is indescribable the seriousness of this situation.

Your prompt attention will be appreciated.

Very truly yours,

(Signed)

PAUL MORTON
CITY MANAGER

[source:lettersofnote:wotw]