State Police at Troop D planned to inaugurate, late this afternoon or evening, use of the new state-wide mobile radio telephone system. It was learned today.

Technicians making the installation in this area installed a console unit for a 250-watt station to be operated from the Montoursville barracks over an automatic relay system station atop Bald Eagle Mountain.

Several weeks ago, all the basic equipment was placed in four new automobiles assigned to Troop D.

Completion of the work on the cars involves now only the placing of the actual units in the cars.

First broadcasts were made this afternoon as engineers tested the system, which is intended to keep every one of the State Police radio-equipped cars in constant contact with the whole police organization all over the Commonwealth.

The primary advantage will be the aid in policing crime and traffic over isolated and rural sections of country. A secondary and tie-in advantage to every taxpayer will be the indirect services provided to cities, boroughs, and townships in the state which now have or do not have police radio.

Williamsport has had radio since 1938 but its usefulness intended of course, only for the city, has been confined to the city.

With the installation of State Police radio, police agencies of the whole state will be afforded to cooperate with each other with a greater degree of speed and thus bringing criminals and law breakers to speedier apprehension.

The Bell Telephone Company is installing and renting the State Police equipment to the state. Just last week, Governor Edward Martin inaugurated the private mobile telephone system at Harrisburg troop headquarters.

Operation of Williamsport’s State Police radio forms another link in the chain expected to be completed by next summer.