The Washington herald., 1912-06-03
Safety on the Potomac.

1t is a universal axiom all over the
United States that no liberties can be
taken with Uncle Sam. In unearthing
frauds on an unsuspecting public, in
seeing that his vast postal business is
conducted on the square, he stands su-
preme. His servants are respected and
trusted more than any other class. The
mere fact that a man has on a mail
carriers uniform is sufficient; people
trust him, and seldom is that trust be-
trayed
Why should things be different in the
District of Columbia? Are they differ
ent? One recent event speaks for
itself?
Two lives were lost last week in
a steamboat accident, and, as result
two men are held on a charge of man
slaughter The Washington Herald is
not discussing their guilt or innocence
in the particular case or which they
have been tried, but is calling attention
to a situation which should not exist
and one that is causing the whole, coun-
try some wonder.
In every State in the Union where
there are collectors of port, stringent
laws, strictly enforced, look after the
safety of all craft on river or lake.
Special precaution is taken TO see that
small craft carry the specified lights.
Punishment is swift and sure when
the laws are violated.
In the District Of Columbia, the seat
Of government, where it is generally
supposed the trainers of laws see that
they are enforced, conditions have been
allowed to become lax; in fact, little
attention has been paid TO them. This
- is responsible for the two deaths on
Sunday, May 70. Some one is respon-
sible. The collector of the port, at.
Georgetown. disclaims responsibility,
claiming there IS inefficient inspection
service because Of lack OF funds.
Some one is responsible for this. If
it is red tape then it needs a man
with red blood in his veins to do away
with it.
The Potomac River is bound to be-
come more popular as. the years go by
Every inducement should be given to
encourage people to use it 1t means
health, a better manhood and woman
hood for those who seek outdoor rec
reation under proper restrictions, and
the United States government should
at least see that the laws it insists be
obeyed in other places be obeyed here.
If pilots are incompetent, as claimed,
then those who granted them their
licenses are responsible II there are
no funds to see that the regulations are
properly enforced, then it is the duty
Of the collector of the port to put the
blame where it belongs.
The people of the district are wards |
Of the government The government is |
looked to for protection. As long as
factories or other money-making insti-
tutons are barred from the District of !
Columbia, so long must those who are
responsible for that condition assume
the burden of protecting society. If.
as stated by Whtefeld 'McKinlay. COL
lector of the port at Georgetown, he
has not been given the means necessary
to see that river craft are inspected and
made safe, then those higher up in
authority should be held responsible
for the sad accident Of week ago.
The men charged with manslaughter
were probably guilty of gross negli-
gence. but not one whit more so than
the dozens of others who have dis
obeyed the laws but who have been for
tunate enough to escape any serious ac-
cident.
One fact stands out plain. Two peo-
pie are dead as the result of careless
ness, according to the finding of a cor
oner's jury. Something must be done
at once to prevent a repetition of such
an accident