Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-09-16
sENAroR hEALD PREPARING A
BILL TO PuMsss lNrox,cAr,
Ed AuToaos,LssTs.
RECENT TER@sDlE ACCIDENT
SRiNos DEMAND FOR LAWS
No Just Punishmsnt Possible Under
Prsssnt Iowa Statutes in Pen
itsntiary For Men who Endanser
Life and Limb Believed Nsvessary az
Protective Measure.

Cedar Rapids, Sept. 16.-The acci-
dent of Saturday, when little child
suffered the loss Of a hand caused by
the action Of an intoxicated automo-
bilist has aroused the city commits
sioners and others to the need OF
more stringent law dealing with this
class of automobile drivers.
Francis A. Head, who represents the
Cedar Rapids district in the senate OF
Iowa, intends to introduce bill In the
next legislature providing prison
penalty for intoxicated persons who
drive automobiles. The hill will de-
mand a penitentiary sentence and
there will be no other alternative. The
court will not be permitted to impose
a fine or jail sentence.
1t is the intention Of Senator Head
to hold a conference with Guy Lin
vile. county attorney. for the purpose
of going over the laws of ether states
to ascertain just what they provide In
the way of punishment for persons
who drive automobiles while intoxi-
Gated. The senator has the New York
statute in mind and 1t Is his intention
10 become familiar with il and X It
covers the ground sufficiently it may
be used as a model for the Iowa bill.
Several attorneys of Cedar Rapids
have discussed the advisa bility of such
law with the senator and he Is OF
the opinion that drastic action should
be taken to curb Automobiles who
drive machines while intoxicated.
Il certainly favor Imprisonment in
the penitentiary instead OF fine or
Jail sentence for those who insist on
driving automobiles while intoxicated"
said the senator, land it shall be my
endeavor to get the Iowa legislature to
accept my view of the situation. The
automobile business is just in its in
fancy and will grow from year to year
and with the presene- traffic conditions
of our streets believe every safe
guard should be thrown around pedes-
TRANS. The imprisonment idea Is be-
ginning to take root all over this
country and hope to see Senator
kenyon's amendment providing for
the imprisonment Of convicted trust
magnates pass congress. The average
man cares little for a fine and il q
fine or Jail sentence is provided in the
automobile law sufficient influence
may be brought to bear on the courts
to escape penitentiary sentence and
the very object sought would be de-
feated. The railroads have brought
about legislation whereby they are
permitted to refuse to carry an in
toxicated passenger and there is no
more reason why the streets Of city
should not be denied to such a class
OF persons. as the railroads.
Should Be responsible.
An intoxicated person in an auto
mobile. or one who becomes intoxicat-
ed after he enters it, must know he
could inflict serious injury or death on
somebody because he was not in con-
dltion to control the machine and i.
looks to me like he would have enough
reason to know he would be RESPONSE
bic for that injury. Under our pres
ent laws all that can be done with
Thomas Young, who manned Harold
Hall Saturday is to fine him and I'M
der recent DECISIONS of the supreme
court doubt If he could be prosecuted
1or manslanshter if the child dies be-
cause 1t would be necessary to show
the intent and 1T would be doubtful IL
eAAS SS<Atc COuiu COnVlnce a jury there
was intent. Under the proper kind Of
law the man could be convicted for
driving machine while in an intoxi-
Gated condition and it would not be
necessary to kill or main a person ia
bring about conviction.
1T is useless to attempt to pass laws
TO cover specific thing or act but in
this case law governing a multitude
or acts could be passed which would
cover cases of this kind and believe
1t would stand the test of the supreme
court 1 certainly favor such a law
ana Just as soon as can have a con-
ference with County Attorney Linville
will take the matter up with him and
prepare a bill"
Drive the intoxicated automobilists
from the streets of Cedar Rapids and
from the streets and roads of every
city and county in Iowa" Is the crr
heard On every hand in this city. TIE
accident OF last Saturday has aroused
the people to . pitch where they de-
mand action. There is reason to be-
lieve Senator Heads bill will find
Hearty support in tho state legisla-
ture and this much IL known a cam
paign IN favor Of the bill will be made
and tho legislature who fails to vote for
1t will have . hard time explaining his
DOaitiO0 "a the Folk heck h~-