Evening star., 1913-04-04

the only city where need is felt for an
awakening to minimize accidents.
All the Boy Scouts in America will take
up the work of minimizing accidents IL
the present plans which are being formu-
lated by the national officers are carried
out George III. Merritt, secretary of the
editorial board, has written to Edgar s.
Martin, the scout commissioner Of the
District. asking him to send details Of
the campaign in this city az conducted
by The Star.
Mr.. Martin will forward this informa-
ton as soon as he can get 1t together.
1t is understood that the national officers
then will send instructions to all the local
troops on this continent to take up the
matter as a part Of scout instruction.
This will reach more than 5OOOVO boys
and young men directly, while an innu-
merable number will, of course, be reach
ed indirectly.
dents also probably will be sent over the
country if a general nationwide crusade
is started, or if enough cities eyince as
much interest in the question as has been
shown in Washington.
Cooperation Assured.
Action looking toward a more general
cooperation of all the people of Wash
ington for assisting in preventing acci-
dents, both by the observance of the
laws by each individual and also by
having individuals keep the rules as an
example to others, is expected to be taken
by several organizations at their next
meetings Several organizations already
have taken action commencing the cam
paign and offering cooperation.
Several plans now are being consld-
xI0 yfavr af efounr r..
cidents' campaign, in order fl.at it may
reach every person in Washington. When
the individual is reached, OF course, Co
operation is taken practically as mat
ter Of course.
Suggestions Offered.
Numerous suggestions have been re-
ceived by The Star for the Improvement
of traffic conditions along certain lines.
Attention has been called to the place
where the cars Of the Washington Rail-
way and Electric Company have their
terminal in Mount Pleasant as one
where persons crossing the tracks should
be unusually precautions. The cars are
"backed up along one track here. 1t is
pointed out, while waiting for their turn
to use the switch and return east. Many
persons crossing behind these backed
up cars. 1t IS said. never trouble to
see il cars are coming in the opposite
direction.
A young woman was badly injured at
this point few nights ago, according
to one correspondent.
Autos Held to Be Menace.
Another correspondent has called at
tention 10 conditions in the vicinity of
California avenue northwest. In this
part of the city, which is rather hiIly,
numerous automobilists have habit of
backing their machines instead Of starting
them up hill. she says. She points out
that this is unusually dangerous, mas
much as these automobiles, with their
right wheels to the curb line. are neces-
sarily moving along the wrong side OF
the roadway when they start to back,
and pedestrians looking in the other di-
rection for the traffic are constantly in
danger. Some Of the automobilists, she
says. back their machines as much as a
hundred yards before turning.
Attention also has been called to Mas
sachusetts avenue between Stanton
Park and Lincoln Park northeast
where many automobilsts speed" their
cars over the limit. This is also said to
be true on Sth street northeast, especial.
ly late in the afternoon and early In the
morning.