The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-06-11
Am I Right !?
IND you ever notice a man dodge q
u automobile at street crossing?

- automobile at a street crossing?
If you did you noted that he was as mad
as a wet hen or a city taxpayer when he
reached the curb. If you were close
enough you probably heard the gentleman,
loquitor, use language warm enough to ex-
plode the gasolene in the storage tank
Of the motor. It Is just one Of the pecu-
larities of the human race. A man will
step in front Of an approaching street car
and escape with his life, by inches, and
never think Of swearing at the motorman.
He will dodge in front Of flying fire ap-
paratus and then smile gleefully as he
meets friend and remarks that driv-
er's sending em, amt he?" He will dodge
q bicycle and smile In sheer urbanity, and
will get out of the way Of a carriage and
blandly gaze thru the windows to see who
is inside.
Then let an automobile show up! He
will swell with wrath and lower his eye
brows. He will begin to nutter, and as
he gets out Of the way In response to the
warning "honk" Of the horn he will splut-
ter in rage and call down maledictions
upon the head Of the driver Of the car.
Not only that, but he will confide his feel
ing to whoever chances to be standing
near, no matter whether they be friend or
foreigner. He goes to his office or store
excited and ready to bully the stenog-
rapher or bookkeeper. He tears around the
office all day, when the blame Is not to
be attributed to any one but himself It
| iS hor IN or INV do
blandly gaze thru the grazing windows to
see who is inside.
IYTHEN there is another feature con-
i nected with automobiling which Is
Just as queer. 1t has to do with tho
drivers of the cars and not with those
who dodge them. It's the crazy desire tc
| see how big hole the chauffeur can put
In the landscape commonly alluded to as
"scorching.'' Like lightning one never
knows who Is to be struck next. Mer
who in their business affairs are careful
slow and conservative, mount automobile
driving seats and send the cars as fast as
| only endanger their own lives, but the
lives Of pedestrians and drivers OF horse.
! as well. They go at break neck pace
despite the frowns Of displeasure ana
censure Of the automobile clubs and tn,
warning shouts of policemen. They re
joice in being sporting pariahs and scat
ter nervous prostration and shudders II
their wake. On the other hand some o
the most reckless and dare devil bushes
men buy powerful and speedy cars an,
send them over. the streets at snail
/. pace, apparently awed at the powe
/ which they are controlling It has oc
Z Cured to me that the 'scorchers'' are no
morally responsible for their actions. The.
let their cars out a little and come to fee
the intoxication of going fast. After tina
sane speed has no attraction for them
Their automobile club may threaten t
expel them for violating the laws Of de
cency and the land, but nothing can sto
them. Perhaps they are more to be pitie
general public should look upon Their
in more Of the light Of mental incom
petents than as offenders. The driver G
the automobile is entitled to as much {
the road as he desires or needs so long a
he drives his car within proper limits, bu
when he offends he becomes fully q
dangerous as Malay who has ''ru
amuck.'' Club officials and city office,
seem unable to stop the "scorcher." PEI
haps he is Fastening to his own undoin
ard tho Si,ffarnrs should consote tftaY-
selves with the old saw that given enoug
rope cali WI usually hang itself.
Thor.