The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-16
RANSAS c0MAENT
SPEEn MANIAcs


a recent issue of the Chicago Tri-
Dune contained a full column of dis
patches treating of automobile acct
dentS IN various parts of the country.
1t was not a special compilation OF, such
sIorieS' put Just the ordinary grfst.
On1y the more serious accidents, in
"hich people are killed, are considered
Important enough to chronicle in the
Dig newspapers. and so this column of
auto news practically was a death list.
There was at least one victim in every
case, ana several victims in some cases,
ana IN nearly all instances the cars
were being driven at a high rate of
speed One went over a cliff, and the
occupants We're nlangled horribly; an
other went into ditch. and the owner
was thrown against a tree crushing
his skull, and so on down the list
Nearly every man who owns an au
tomoDlle becomes possessed of the
mania for extreme speed sooner or Ia
ter. The citizen who is content to
jog along quietly behind a family horse
develops a great haste when he has his
gasoline wagon At first he is a firm
believer in the safe and sane policy,
and moves slowly; but as he becomes
familiar with the machine, and INDUCES
IL, an occasional squirt without mishap,
ne gathers confidence in himself, and
declines to be passed by all other cars
on the road, and eventually he takes
advantage of every chance to "let 'er
rip" and tn chances are all in fav Jr
of a smashup.
Old John Barleycorn's fine italian
hand may be traced in many of the
worst accidents and the 10y ride has
become an institution in the east. 1t
IS an institution that contributes large
Iy to the prosperity of the undertakes.
When a demijOhn becomes a part of
the regular equipment of a motor car,
it is carrying optimism to extremes to
expect anything but disaster. This
custom is not general in the west; but
there are accidents in plenty without
it
There is no lack of ordinances against
speeding in the towns. and the rules
are enforced as well as possible, but
it Is impossible to station policemen
along the country roads, and so the
speed maniacS are not without their
opportunities, and it is in the country
that most of the tragedies happen.
There is at present no way to prevent
such tragedies. save the slow process
of educating amateur chauffeurs to the
fact that high speed is always danger
GUS. The complicated machinery of a
car is apt to go wrong at any moment,
and if it happens to be hitting the high
places when the disarrangement oc-
ours. it will be well for the occupants
If they have said their prayers.
The automobile has become one of
the greatest engines of death in the
world, whereas, if properly handled, it
should be comfort to the owner
Emporia Gazette.
REGRET, AFTER THE FACT.
No one can question the feeling of
the Kansas City man who, at the
death of his wife, declares a warfare
against toy pistols, from one of which
his wife received Injuries that result
ed in her death from Iockjaw.
The incident furnishes the cruel
force of a tragedy that comes sudden
~. out of joyous circumstances.
In the anguish of his grief the Kan
sas City man announces that he will
give his efforts in the future to fight
ing the customs that brought such
terrible cost to ibis family.
Locking the stable after the horse
is stolen, being~remorseful after the
time for prevention is past, is com
mon but a terribly expensive habit.
Fourth of July precautions are due
before. and not after, the Fourth. The
eectfve date of Punishment for the
toy pistol and the dynamite cap is
July 3, not July 5.
A boy who is sound in body, though
he be hystericaI with disappointment,
is better background for safe and
same resolutions, than burnt offering
whom no amount of pledges for the
future can restore to life, victim
of injury whose misery no program
for next Fourth can ease.-Ottawa
Herald.