The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-06-19
The LIttIsneld AutomObIIe Ordinances,

The Littlefield Automobile Ordinance.
To the Editor OF The Times: There
has been q delightful cessation from
the slaughter OF innocent citizens by
automobiles for the past few weeks.
due largely, no doubt. TO the passage
OF the Littleheld plan OF stopping
autos when street cars are taking on
or letting on passengers. Surely this
plan Is a reasonable one. We are glad
the auto Is here, chiefly because II re-
lieves the horse from carrying bur
dens and gives inhuman owners nc
chance TO overwork or abuse them.
but no sooner had we breathed more
freely upon seeing the noble horse re-
lieved from It's slavery than greater
evil confronts US, namely, the slavery
OF mankind; men, women and children
are run down ruthlessly by drunken
or degenerate drivers OF automobiles.
The victims may lie dying or dead In
| the street. but this class OF driver
speeds onward, altogether unconcern-
ed. II Is no doubt an exhilerating
sport for the speed maniacs-Quite as
exciting as q prize fight or pigeon
shoot or some such monstrosity.
These speed maniacs are nevertheless
our brothers, and II Is our duty and
should be our privilege TO maze laws
to restrain them both for their own
sake and for the sake NJ our loyal.
hard-working citizens who &c on their
path of duty harming no one and
should therefore be harmed by no one.
We boast that Detroit Is city where
life Is worth living" Then why DO
we make laws that will kill people
on? why not let them live their day
pnd enjoy the beauties OF the city as
long as possible? There Is much fer
ment In the minds OF largo class be-
cause the American birth rate Is so
small. One should expect Americans
to be too bright to worry much on this
subject when the startling truth Is
ever before US that after the children
are brought into the world the auto
mobile In the hands OF irresponsible
drivers Is waiting to crush out their
lives Women are made white slaves
and men are given every inducement
TO drink the cursed ''frewater" that
will ruin their body and IL possible
their soul also. We license all these
evils and then lament the smallness
OF the American birth rate. Rather
should our heart rejoice that there
Is not larger number of living human
beings to be influenced by our stupid
so-called civilization. The person who
makes laws that will safeguard the
life, morals and happiness OF mortals
or who inyents a remedy to relieve
suffering and promote health and tC
save his brother from moral or spirit
ual degradation has accomplished
more good than to have been the pa
rent of a thousand children. There IL
a wholesome restraint which harms
no one and benefits all. Recklessness
and license never made CITY grea'
or prosperous for long. Moderation II
the surest road to success, while ex
cess spells failure, and this applies Il
the automobile trade as to any other
IAw-abiding, respectable citizens have
seen SO many reasonable demands de
feated that they have became listless
and have ceased to even express theil
desires on these important questions
Some unselfish persons must actually
canvass the city and get them to sigr
their names before we can learn theil
wishes on this as on many other sub
jects. There are a few stout brave
hearts who, instead of floating will
idle oars on the stagnant waters o.
false peace, manfully set to work Il
stir the waters and purify them. The
Littlefield plan Is a sensible one ant
appeals to everyone but the reckless
and selfish. An overwhelming ma
jority want II enforced. Those wht
desire good, reasonable, humane laws
and demand the enforcement OF sucf
laws are the ones who love their city
| ,nost and are ITO trnest friends
MARGARET FLORENCE McAULEY
500 Brooklyn-av., Detroit, Mich.
July IL. 1911.