New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-11-30
THE MOTOR MIND"

We have long heard of sea legs" of writer's
cramp." of "housemaid's knee" of the bicy-
clist's ''bump-kyphosis bicpcistdrHm we our
selves called it-and various other physical
idosyncrases resulting from certain Ia Dts of
life IaborS, or practices. To the catalogue il
seems probable that we shall now have to add
another item, to wit. the motor mind BY that
mean the more or less habitual condition of
mind into which certain automohists get. ap-
parently because of and through their indu-
sence in the fascinating practice of operating
motor cars. There might at first sigh1 Q room
for quest ioning which the cause and which
TIE effect: whether the motor mind" was the
result Of running AUTOMOBILES. or whether the
peculiar style of running automobiles the
result of the prepossession of the motor mind
But reflection upon the character of that mind
and n decent regard for the repute of human
ity must incline us toward the former theory
The motor mind then. however acquired
divests its possessor OF several of the most ad-
mira bic and desirable attributes Of cultivated
humanity. One Of these is prudence The I'M
happy victim OF this mental popularity be-
comes reckless in the extreme Over roads
which the normal man would traverse with
caution in broad daylight he hesitates not 70
rush al frantic speed in the darkest midnight
At a speed which others would regard as peril
Gus and TO bc made only for urgent need OH
wheels OF steel running on fixed racks Of steel
from which all other affC is rgidy excluded.
he travels for no need save that Of idle caprice
on vulnerable tires Of rubber along roads with
out fixed tracks and traversed by other vehi-
ces 1t is to be doubted If the records Of
human recklessness contain account of any lack
OF caution of common care for safety com
parable with that of the possessor OF the
motor mind.
Still more noteworthy. and still more regret
table is the abatement Of pity mercy and all
humane sentiments which follows in the train
Of this disorder. The normal impulse of n man
is not only to avoid injuring another. but also.
in case of the inhiction of injury TO inquire
solicitously as to its extent and to endeavor TO
give all possible aid and make all possible rep
aration All this is changed Immediately upon
the development Of motor mind" The distress
the peril. even the grievOus injury of another
becomes matter for Indifference. if not for
actual mrth If hapless wayfarer. even on
lonely road is run down and disa bled or
killed the victim of motor mind" never pauseS
n moment TO render aid or to dispose decentlv
the mangled remains. but rusheS away rs madIv
as ever as if in quest of another victim, leaving
the stricken one TO suffer or the crushed corpse
to lie the prey of the elements
1t is impossible 10 contemplate without n
mingling of pity and horror the possession of
so abominable mind as that which can pronpt
such deeds or can even permit its owrer 20 hurry
heartlessly away from The scene of tragedy
The knowledge that such minds do exist how
over. and are apparently increasing in number
so as 10 form perceptbe though happily still
very small percentage OF those Of all automobile