Waterbury Democrat., 1901-07-11
AUTOMOBILE VERSUS HORSE.


 The Emergency hospital in Washing ton is making a strong effort to secure automobiles instead of ambulances drawn by horse power for it's service. The reasons given for the change are cogent It is stated that as things are, a horse used for this work lasts little more than year, in spite of the best of care and treatment. The rush orders'' in summer are numerous, and the hors- es are often compelled to travel on the jump for a mile or two and back, ill the heat of the day, on account of the num- her of nedi prostrations which occur at that time. The hospital authorities say that if they could have automo- piles, the condition of things would be better both for them and for the public, to say nothing of the horses.
 This is matter which ought to in- terest any city government; and it may be suggested that the same arguments would hold fairly. good in the case of the horse of the fire department, though, as fires seldom occur in the middle of the day in summer, the ques- tion of intense heat does not enter into the case. But there is no doubt that emergency hospital work is extremely hard on horses, as they are practically required to play the douDIe role of race horses and draught animals. Asid& from the humanity of the thing, it might be good economy to make the change. The automobile would never be tired. never have a sunstroke. cost but little for fuel and care, and last a long time; moreover. it would do the work of more than one horse. because it would require no rest at night.
 It is true that an automobile. in the hands of inexperienced people, is rath- CT a dangerous machine It has on occasion shown curious tendency to climb trees: and it would be anything but agreeable to have such a develop ment take place with an unconscious person severely injured, reposing in the body of the vehicle. But it should be remembered that most automobile ac- cidents have occurred when people without special training in the man. agement of the machines were in charge of them. For example, a New York society leader on one occasion caused his automobile to turn rapid somersaults from the top to the bottom of a steep and stony-hearted hill. The society leader ill the meantime had left the machine but followed its exam pie closely. and reached the bottom of ! the hill finally on the back of his neck This, however, was due to his having tried to back the automobile, while for getting to shut off the current impell- ing it forward; and. if he had told a yoke of oxen to "gee' and ''haw'' simul- taneously. it is probable that some thing would have happened. The hos pital automobile would be in the hands of trained and experienced employees, and when treated well. the machine is as gentle as the horse, often advertised, that a woman can drive.
 It has taken some time for the public to perceive that humane measures are, in the long run, generally the safest and cheapest.If there comes a time when for all service involving intense nervous strain in addition to muscular exertion, or untiring and unvarying ac- tivity. electricity, steam, or some other inanimate agent is employed instead of flesh and blood, it will be a happy day for both humanity and for the brute creation. Where intelligent and sympathetic cooperation are necessary, the horse should be used for draught purposes: but where simple power is all that is required, electricity and can do the work quite as we'll and, as rule, more cheaply.