The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-04


which includes owners, sellers and drivers
are facing crisis right here in Birmng-
ham. They are facing volcano of pub
lie disapproval which is liable to belch
| forth In terrific volume and assert its
power toward betterment of local reck-
less driving situation. That problem is
reckless driving of automobiles and care
less drivers which have caused the death
of several good citizens here lately
1t is not the purpose of this department
10 INACCURATE any crusade Of reform or to
NEEDLE" in the affairs of the people. On
the direct contrary It is the duty Of this
column to present intelligently facts OF
interest to automobile owners and sellers
as they arise from time to rhine. Under
that latter head is the matter of advice
and so here goes:
| Last Wednesday a citizen was en- route
to his home and while trying to each
car he was run down and injured. He.
subsequently died leaving glieving fam
| lily and the operator of that machine IS
naturally bowed down with personal grief
No attempt will be hereby made to influ-
ence any opinions as to the responsibility
one citizen is dead and another is over
whelmed with regrets A sort time ago
during nocturnal visit to the city two
gentlemen were run down by driver one
of whom was killed That driver is c-ing-
| ing somewhere wrestling with a grief
stricken conscience afraid 5hat with each
| hour bis sin will find hun out. There is
| a family fatherless on account of thad
accident.
Within the city limits many automo-
bikes have been wrapped al cund telegraph
poles and trees. Joy rides nave broken
innumerabe hearts and have caused a
flash of grief and shame % mount 20 the
| brow of many fond parents
| The time is fast approa ching when a
public sentiment will rise against the
| class of drivers who are utterly remorse-
| less In their antics down town. The writer
OF this column has more than one occasion
been tempted to invoke police interfer-
ence in reckless escapes on the principal
streets of Birmingham Pedestrians from
the Southern club section ool constantly
upon reckless driving and morrow escapes
1t has gotten to be common sort OF
for reckless drivers.
There are some drivers here whose en-
ploye5 know little of their recklessness
There are others who will find to their
regret a terrible punishment when mat
tiers as they now stand go uncorrected
The driver who carries ont women and
children should be apprehensive for their
safety above all other things Protection
for the occupants of automobiles insures
perfect safety for persons whose worldly
prosperity prevent the purchase Of an
automobile
This indictment is not against all the
drivers in Birmingham or the owners
II is simply mere effort To impress those
who are in a position to correct things
to be UP and stirring Without implying
anything at all how would this situation
affect things? Mi. Walker Percy calls at
| tention of his driver to the dangers as a
| special charge this morning. John l.. Par
her does likewise DIR. Phillips calls at
! tention of the recent deaths here 10 his
| Griver while Erskine Ramsay IT, A.
| Whitehead, Crawford Johnson, w. H.
| kettig, r. E. Whitehead DR. f. NJ
| Prince, Frank B. Fowlkes. Richard W.
Massey, and others make this proposition
personal matter as well as Bradley
Saunders, W. Webb Crawford the var!-
GUS wholesale houses and other owners
The risk to pedestrians would be cut
down so per cent and safety woull be
almost assured for those who walk Mon
Gay morning. Again Dan Greene. e W.
Hnownell, the Highland garage official,
Charles Denesre, all dealers, should an,I
undoubtedly will, do all they can to stop
reclSlessneSs.