New-York tribune., 1905-08-08
KINDNESS rs. pumping THE BUMPS"

hIA DNESS W. 'BUMPiNG THE BCMPS.'
About a week ago the attention of suffer-
ing public was called to the fact that a genius
of Glencoe, one of Chicago's suburbs on the
shore Of Lake Michigan had devised a remedy
for reckless chauffeurs afflicted with the dis
ease Of motormania, the remedy being a series
Of skilfully constructed bumps" on the road
leading through that charming town. Later
news partially confirms the impression that at
last method has been devised by which the
wild flight of motormanacs may be checked
without resort to puncturing the tires or the
occupants of the motor with revolver bullets
It is gratifying to learn that the bumps" have
not only been constructed. but actually in
operation, and as a result the beautiful suburb
on the famed Sheridan Road no longer lacks
for entertainment on summer evenings. Each
particular bump" now affords a place for the
meeting of those dwelling near it, and as the
autoists take it, they good naturedly
cheered by the assembled suburbanites, while
the policemen, after the act, gather in the occu-
pants Of the motor car eleven being trapped
and arrested on what might be called the open
ing night of dumping the bumps" 1t is also
stated that the joyous villagers collected many
automobile caps, goggles and hairpins, these
articles taking the place Of souvenirs ordinarily
distributed by the management at the opening
of special summer attractions.
Perhaps melted by a feeling of sympathy for
the mOtormaniacs. Winnetka, suburb Just
south of Glencoe, has also written its name on
the map though there are Glencoeans who sug-
gest that it was envy Of its neighbor's fame
rather than the pure milk of human kindness
that induced Winnetkans to try their method Of
dealing with autosts, most of whom naturally
are from the big city to the south. Mayor
Jones Of Winnetka justifes his democratic
name and illustrates the qualities that have
made him, temporarily at least, the first citizen
of his leafy town by the novelty Of his method
of dealing with the speeding chauffeur and his
crew Of speed devOtees. Like Uncle Toby, who
was sorry to learn that the devil 'is cursed and
damned already to all eternity" Mayor Jones
! seems to have friendly, if not altogether fell
! low, feeling for the modern chariOteers, and he
reminds them Of the fact that fewer of them
! have been arrested in his bailiwick than in any
other village along the north shore This is not
| because the Mayor is averse to enforcing the
law, but 1t arises from sincere conviction that
! these chauffeurs, after all, are human beings
and that it is at least worth while to ascertain
| by experiment what results a treatment of
kindness and courtesy may have upon them
! before resorting to the crude and unpleasant
devices Of the law. Hereafter" says the
Mayor of Wnnetka, II shall not have the
SpGSu1llS dulOiSlS dTIGSleu SldIl place Do
"Icemen at the entrances of the village and
tell them to warn the drivers OF machines that
"seem to be going too fast. IT," adds the
Mayor, leach chauffeur were presented with a
card Of welcome as he entered town. believe
'that he would feel kindly toward us and be
| inclined to obey our laws"
| Such a pronouncement is so radical in its
| faith in human nature, and especially in that
nature exhibited by the average chauffeur as
to give a shock TO preconceived notions already
crystalizing and hardening into a granitelike
conviction in the public mind to chauffeurs
The pleasing emotions excited by such sublime
confidence. however, are somewhat lessened by
the thought of the unwelcome jolt of surprise
the chauffeur and his companions, still holding
their cards of welcome to Winnetka, will ex-
perience as they naturally quicken their speed
! through mere exhilaration over such an exhi-
bition Of politeness, only to be awakened to
| stern realities by dumping the bumps" when
| they reach Glencoe. Truly, life is not without
variety to chauffeurs and motormaniacs on the
shores OF Lake Michigan.