The Detroit times., 1914-10-07
SAFETY PLAY
ZONES PLAN OF
SUPT. CHADSEY
Would Have Certain Thorough
fares Closed to Traffic For
Use of Children
PREVENT PLAYING
IN OTHER STREETS
School Head Speaker at Noon
Luncheon Of b. Of {.
Boosters Club

Superintendent OF Schools Charles
E. Chadsey. In his talk on Safety
First before the Boosters club OF the
Board Of Commerce. at noon. Tues
day. recommended that Detroit close
about 200 or 500 city blocks 10 all
trafnc. at certain periods OF the day.
that children living far from regular
Fairgrounds, could play In the street,
free from the perils OF passing auto
mobiles.
The plan has been IN use In New
York city for several years, DIR. Chad.
sey said, and mas proven success
full temporary means to cut down the
casualty lists from autos and other
vehicles. rs -.y- Z -
FIFTY per cent OF Detroit children
have no place to play but the streets
said DR.. Chadsey. II don't believe
that In the near future We can have
sufflcient other places for them TO
play. though recommend that we
condemn property, and establish play
grounds In the most .congested dis
tricts, at once But as temporary
solution or the crisis which We have
reached. with regard TO the safety OF
children. In the streets, the closing OF
certain parts Of certain streets. IN
probably 200 or 800 different parts
OF the city, would aid greatly. Our
pavements are good. or course, base
ball and other games could not be
played there, but the children could
romp. and be out In the air, and be
safe from the autos. l would recon-
mend that asphalt paved streets be
chosen. and the children could In
dulge their fondness for roller skat-
ing. In season.
Have one block OF street play
ground placed so that no child would
have to walk further than two or
three blocks TO get TO the safety
zone. and then prohibit children from
playing In any other street, and force
them into the safety zones"
Mr.. Chadsey declared that he
feared there was no way to cut down
the accidents TO adults.
The adults have. their habits
formed They are either careful or
careless. Some will insist on gazing
at the sky as they walk across the
street. They are going to be In
danger all the rest OF their lives.
Speaking AZ an auto driver, myself,
| | say we will just have to try and
dodge them. But the children can
L be educated to be careful. to look
both ways before crossing q street;
| TO avoid stepping out from behind a
car or auto without exercising great
care.
Their teachers have been instructed
| to instill the principles OF safety FIRST
into their minds, to give those princi-
pies precedence over many other mat
tiers In the public schools. I 60 from
here to q meeting Of school princi-
pals. and will urge them TO spread the
doctrine Of safety FIRST among teach
ers and pupils. When these children
grow up, we will ind that they are
not the ones who will figure az victims
In auto accidents"
DR.. Chadsey declared that an abso
lutte stop should be put TO the practice
OF allowing children under 1e years
OF age to drive autos. under any cir
cumstances. 800.
Each one thinks II 10 MI right, be-
cause his child II exceptionally bright
and careful" said Dr. Chadsey. but
that practice should be stopped. II
comes from class that ought TO know
better" Il
He also declared that he knew
there was always q tendency 20
stretch the auto law~ifo the limit and
to violate them. n policeman was
+ Il