The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-15
A SAFER BIRMINGHAM
Needs of City for Safety Department Composed Of Patriot
ic Citizens Who Will Assist the Authorities in Suppressng
the Speeding Evil-Splendid Results of Safety De-
partment of the Tennessee Company Whose
Slogan is "Safety First
by CHARLES H. MANDY

Now If a safety department has proven
such benefeent and practical PROPOSE
ton for an industrial plant, why would
not safety department prove a benef-
icent and practical proposition for the
city. As to the needs of a safety depart
ment of the city the report of Chief Bode-
ker as published in Sundays Age-Herald
regarding the serious automobile accidents
gives food for the deepest reflection. The
recent deplorable accident to the wife of
one of our prominent citizens further enl-
phasizes the necessity of such a move-
ment, but the greater argument for the
establishment OF such department is the
fact that in spite of the enforcement Of
the law the speeding evil Is growing daily
with its increasing menace to the trav-
cling public.
The automobile speeder has driven the
pedestrian from the street and the horse
driven vehicle from the highways He
has terrorized those who are compelled to
drive along the street and roads of the
county and with seeming impunity. The
writer does not intend to say that the
officials have been derelict in their duty
or even infer that they have not done all
In their power with their limited means
to stop the evil, but the fact remains that
it is growing. and unless checked will soon
become intolerable. A few days ago The
Age-Herald published a number of inter-
views with prominent citizens who gave
their views as to the best method of stop
ping the speeding evil
Many methods were suggested. ranging
from the use OF ashotgun to penitentiary
sentence. Some We're practical and some
were not. but they all have evidence as
to the seriousness of the stua tion.
1t must not be supposed that this evil
is confined to Birmingham alone: it is
more than statewide; it is prevalesl
throughout the entire country. Only last
week the coroner of Cook county, IL
linois, whose headquarters are in Chicago,
called a meeting of prominent citizens TO
assist him in suppressing the speeder, as
the police authorities of that great city,
with its thousands of policemen, have
found themselves unable to cope with the
situation. He has gone further-he has
organized a general public safety COM
mittee to work In conjunction with the
coroner's office of Cook county for a
safer Chicago, and as he states in his let
ter of appointment ito minimize the dam
gers that now beset her best citizens and
destroy lives to an appalling degree"
Could not general committee, say of
% citizens be appointed to take up this
matter and discuss the various phases OF
the subject and the remedies proposed!
One prominent citizen, f. NJ jackson, has
already taken a step in this direction. In
fact, he has taken several steps, for he
has, during the past year, raised his
voice in earnest protest against this men-
ace to the community. The writer would
respectfully suggest that a call for vol
unteers be made who Will assist in this
work and from those who volunteer
committee be appointed to adopt plans TO
curb the reckless automobilst, either by
means Of legislation, the stricter enforce
ment of the law, or such other methods
as they may devise. Also to enlist the
influence Of automobile owners, motor
clubs and to educate public opinion IN
this regard.
The time Is ripe for the establishment
of citizens safety department, and who
is there that questions its need or pos
sibility? What the safety department OF
the Tennessee company has done to safe
guard it's employees the safety depart-
ment of the city can do to protect its cit-
zens. The secret of the accomplishments
of the department of the Tennessee COM
pany was eternal vigilance To make
the safety department of the city, should
it be established worth while. will re-
ouire the same spirit. Birmingham needs
such a department; it is up TO the eit-
zen whether she has 1t or not.