The San Francisco call., 1906-11-04

wolves blindness to natural beauty. In
fact. fast automobiling at its worst
tends toward homicidal mania The
confirmed automobiles must become
sluggish in intellect and excitable in
temper"
What's to Become Of Us?
No one could read the above with
out a certain degree of interest. Be he
enthusiastic automobiiist or rare in
stance of disinterested pedestrian. the
question is bound to present itself,
Does fast automobiling tend toward
homicidal mania. and If 50 what's to
become of the human race?
You have frequently listened to the
boast of the amateur automobilist that
on his last run" he KILLED two chick
ems and one dog. Couldn't help it. you
know-we were going at such a con-
founded clip" But have you ever done
other than laugh at him? Have yoG
ever thought for moment that human
life might eventually be to him as lit
tic worthy OF consderation-that the
intoxication of covering miles OF coun-
try at tremendous speed-the race, the
dash. the rush-might engender a ma
MIA TO count human beings among his
spoils?
Particularly is the subject of vital
interest to the American public which
for weeks past, and yearly since 1904.
has concerned itself so intimately with
the Vanderbilt cup race, and now es-
pecially since the tragic death of Curt
L. Gruner. who was killed on the ,Jeri-
cho turnpike by Elliott + Shepards
machine, does racing stand sure
chance of being cited as fast auto
mobiling at its worst" While the
accident that occurred. during the re-
cent cup race was undoubtedly the
fault of the victim, it will be remem-
bered that Mr.. Shepard. in the sum
mer of 1905. was arrested in France
and sentenced to prison. the penalty
for having run over a young peasant
girl, who died shortly after as the
result of her injuries. This accident,
il was stated by the French authori-
ties, was due to Mr.. Shepard's care
lessness.
The question of automobilism-its
advisability, its dangers, its effect on
the human mind-has been presented
to several physicians. all of whom may
be regarded as authorities on the sub
Ject of nervous disease.
Does fast automobiling tend toward
homicidal mania2" repeated DIR. Graeme
Hammond. We'll. If that's the case,
I'm in sore danger myself. Seriously.
though, I'm sure 1t does not Mental
intoxication as the result of fast driv-
ing is theory pure and simple. Most
of the accidents are due to far more
natural state of intoxication-in other
words. the drunken chauffeur, be he
employe or gentleman.
Drunkenness Large Factor.
"A man after he has taken but two
or three drinks is not competent to
drive am auto. The intoxicated chauf-
feur who takes out party of friends
and then makes a night of It, tearing
like mad over the roads, is likely to
do lot Of damage. l happen to know
a man who recently took a few friends
motoring, made merry over a little
supper, and on the way home ran into
buggy. The woman inside was thrown
out and, believe, seriously injured
Those are the things that give auto
mobiling a black eye.
There are two reasons for fast drfv-
ing. A man either has to drive fast to
accomplish some purpose, or wants to.
not because of any abnormal mental
condition, but in order to perfect him.
self in handling his machine. Experts
for example. the drivers in the Van
derbilt cup race-are always careful as
well as considerate. They are trained
to look out for others. and must keen
level headed in order to properly do
their work. No. fast automobiling does
not develop mania of any kind whether
mental or physical. Doctors would