Norwich bulletin., 1909-10-30

Not two hundred feet from the spot
where an old man was run down ard
killed BY an automobile a short time
ago two school children Of the primary
department OF the Nameaug school
were struck by an automobile while on
their way home from school Both
were seriously injured and at this
writing. one OF the little girls was be-
lieved TO he fatally injured. and tho
driver OF the automobile has been
paroled on his own recognizance and
without official investigation or trial.
Not only that but the newspapers
have already eNonerated him from all
blame I'm the matter. This verdict may
be in accordance with the facts. but IL
is not the usual way OF dispOsing OF
such important cases.
In the case Of the chauffeur who ran
over and killed an old man he was held
for examination by the coroner under
a large bond and after examination
was officially eXonerated and released.
Soon after this other chauffeur ran
down the two little girls and took
them TO the hospital he reported TO tho
police station and. after giving his
version Of the affair. was permitted
to go his way. This is perhaps all
right. i'm fact IL must be or the police
would not have given him liberty with
out a hearing and without bonds for
appearance II wanted.
In the first case there are some who
are acquainted with the facts who arc
of the opinion that with little more
precaution the fatality would not have
occurred. In the second case claim Is
made that the automobile was going at
a slow rateg not over seven miles an
hour. when the serious mishap occur
red. and still one OF the little tots was
under the rear wheel when the car
was stopped and it was necessary to
lift the machine from the body OF the
child. Automobiles with proper brakes
and properly manipulated could be
stopped before a car had Travelled its
length. especially az that slow speed.
In the first case the car was said to
be going at the same speed when tho
old man was struck and killed and eX-
perienced chauffeurs are OF opinion
that I'm that case there should have
been ample opportunity to avoid tho
fatality.
In both cases the cars we're probably
being carefully driven, that is not reck-
lessly hut still the damage was done.
If this be so IL is about time that
something was done 10 better stfe-
guard human life. The time has ar
rived when drivers OF automobiles
should have IT stamped indelibly on
their minds that while they have full
right 10 use the public highways that
pedestrians have some rights, too. Tho
mere footing of a horn should not be
sufficient. but the automobilists should
be compelled to stop and not take
chances when human life is endanger-
ed. When trespassers are warned by
locomotive whistle on a steam railroad
to get of the company's tracks or take
the consequences, that may be legally
right for the tracks are practically
railroad property and pedestrians have
no right thereon.
Not so on the public highways. whero
the pedestrians and the motor vehicle
men have equal rights. or nearly so,
the pedestrian being favored with the
right OF way. But then. to hear chauf-
feurs tell II. due care is always used
and whenever there Is mishap OF sori-
Gus nature the claim is made that at
the time the machines were running at
very slow speed. although at all other
times a pretty swift clip is maintained.
In the two cases at hand the drivers
were presumably not at fault under the
present conditions, but every automo-
bile driver I'm the city should be eau
toned to drive even with more care
than Is exercised by the most careful
ut the present time. especially at
street functions or near schoolhouses.
when children are going or coming
from school or are out at recess An
oceaaional stop OF tlN automeDils 10
avoid possible mishap would nos be ef
serious Inconvenience. TO those who
ride IN the modern and nscessary
modes OF conveyance