Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1905-08-11
sRArrLEBoRo. FRIDAY, AUGUST II. 1905
Civ. the Horse a Chance.

late them out OF vermont, mas suDsiueu
IN a marked degree on sober second
thought. In its place. however mas
developed serious and well-deiineu
feeling of i'll treatment on the part OF
those who by choice or necessity con-
fine their means of conveyance to the
more old-fashioned but less expensive
horse. 1t is apparent that this feeling
will evolve an opposition to the omni-
presence of the motor-car that VIII re-
suit In some action being taken To pre-
vent the horses from being crowded
off the roads until such time as the
equine race shall have become as thor-
oughly accustomed to the strange ma
chimes as they are to the bicycle ana
trolley car. Even those who have the
automobile habit are compelled to ad-
nit in all fairness that their pleasure
has robbed the women and children OF
the countryside of the joy OF driv-
ing. Not only that. but such neces-
sary driving as going to town to shop.
or to church or entertainment. has SO
much become bugbear that those
who are In a position to know claim
that there is falling off in these visits
to the trade centers from the rural
districts.
We have steadfastly contended and
do still believe that the automobile is
more than a plaything for the rich
that it will eventually fill large
place in the development of our busi-
ness and social life-in fact it has al
ready proved that much; that any at
tempt on the part of even rural state
like Vermont to make such laws as
will render automobiling practically
impossible is an attempt to clog the
wheels of progress and can only result
in injury to the state. We opposed
every proposal in the legislature TO
enact laws of this nature. We should
still oppose such laws. The automo-
bile is a factor in modern life and the
public must accommodate itself to
this factor. We must give the auto
mobile a chance.
But aren't we overriding it? Aren't
we being imposed upon through our
good nature? Aren't we forgetting to
give the horse a chance too?
A good many of us are too poor to
buy an auto, not to mention the cost
of keeping one. Some of us, strange
as it may SEEM still prefer the four
legged animal to the our-cylinder car
Many of US confine our peregrinations
to Shanks's mare and feel safer than
either autoist or horseman. The high
ways are many (and some are GOOD
but all are usurped by this new con-
yeyance. The law of the state is def
mite but indifferently enforced, and no
amount of law will prevent nervous
horse from being scared. The auto
mobilists are a small minority but
they've "got the bulge on US" The
question is, What are we going to do
about it?
It was recently cabled from London
that an order had been made eXclud-
ing all automobiles from Hyde park,
the largest and most popular park OF
the metropolis, the reason being that
the queen desired to drive in the park
This distinguished example may give
the Vermont woman greater courage
in her conviction that she is wrong
fully defrauded of the pleasure OF
driving.
Thomas w. Lawson is said to have
said that a mile in 80 seconds in an
auto will not create any great excite
ment in a year or so for it will be
common occurrence. This, OF course
refers to racing but there is dis
crepancy between mile in 30 SECONDS
on the track and ten miles an hour in
village streets that chauffeurs VIII 90
their best to bridge.
A Remington man was fined 80 the
other day for running an auto without
a license. No cases of violating the
speed law in this vicinity have come
TO our attention but it is matter or
common knowledge that the law is
pretty well cracked every day.
short time ago a pet dog was killed on
a main street. The dog was not run
ming after the machine or barking at
IT. He was simply playing in the MD
die of the road when the auto came
along and killed him. No blame was
attached to the autoist and no action
taken by the owner of the dog out
there is little doubt that the machine
was going too fast. The law says SIX
miles an hour at intersections OF
streets. and that doesn't allow of much
speeding up between corners in the
village. The encouragement JoKlhgly
remarks that the owners of machines
have to take him to ride quite ire
ouently to keep out of the law
clutches. 1t isn't true but its near
enough to the truth so that 1t indi-
Gates the light esteem in which the
law is held We venture to assert that
Others whose duty it is TO enforce the
law have been seen in autos that We're
exceeding the legal speed. We do not
consider this evidence of laxity in the
performance of duty. but evidence OF
popular carelessness as to the en-
forcement of such laws.
What are we going to do about II?
NIurmurs of discomfort are heard on
every hand The only feasible remedy
seems to be a restriction to certain
main roads This will not prevent the
trouble but it viii go long ways
toward making il endurable. If the
farmers horses are safe on certain
roads. those roads can be used for
pleasure drives at least The auto