The Washington times., 1914-03-21

ern High School, whose llfe was 500
riflced q few days ago? Why. how
many times have !. trembling with
the thoughtof what MIGHT happen,
seen my own boys hanging on to
companying them to Western. I
have myself. moro than once. stood
waiting Georgetown transfer in
when q belated car finally came
there would be q rush and scramble
and loading to the very limit. And
this is going on every day.
When I read what had happened
to that youth and thought what his
mother was suffering: my conscience
snote me that I had not protested,
as 1 had often thought I should do,
against such conditions. My lone
protset might not have availed, but
II all the mothers Of all the school
children had protested. It might have
made a difference. That boy might
be living today.
The verdict said It was tho BoYs
negligence. Is 1t not cruel and in
oept such q verdict? It IL the PUB
Lies NEGLIGENCE, the CoRPO-
RAT1ON'S FAULT. that q practice
prevails and IL encouraged which
makes II possible for Just such an
accident to befall any high school
boy any day Of the year.
Safety In Traffic.
There Is no reason whatever. ex-
cept that Of corporation greed. that
tho street cars should be constantly
overcrowded with children going to
school. Nor is there any good rea-
son why there should not be through
cars for the school service. In these
Gays Of efficiency a survey could be
made that would determine with SCI
entific accuracy how many cars are
needed to carry the children in a
safe and decent manner to and from
school.
Next. whether privately or pub
Hcly owned-much better own all
Ierent gas supply In the city Of
Washington. There are stores in
this city that use gas on account
OF the display Of their goods, that
I can hardly endure to stay in long
enough to make a purchase. When
] speak to managers about II, they
say: Yes. we know 1t is slow pol
complained to the proper authorities
but what can we do about It?
And the exorbitant and unreason-
able price we pay for gas.
If the menace to life does not
arouse our Indignation. tho high
cost ought to have its appeal.
Pure Water Supply.
Tho purity of Washington's water
supply has steadily improved But
not moro than a year ago. II I re-
ynevphAr viUhflS, hn 80 tiSti
ed that the District of Columbia has
a higher rate of typhoid than it
should have for its population. 1t
ought to have the lowest rate. The
water Of a model city. the capital
city, should be above all suspicion.
or course, ] want Washington to
have its own electric power, with all
IL means In lighting every humble
street. every dark alley. as well as
Its most magnificent avenues.
Consider the advantage of electric
ity for cooking. How 1t simplifies
made available for heating. what
intrinsic cleanliness OF air 1t would
guarantee.
II hurts me TO read nearly every
day In the papers that the schools
OF Washington are suffering for
Ihch OF iunuS' persohally knO"
that the schools are suffering for
lack OF funds. I personally know
that the schools are overcrowded
and the teachers overworkcd. On
tn" whole. think the school aver
ago up quite well with those of
other cities. But why should they
not bo better?
Tho schools OF Washington should
br models for all the other schools
Of tho country. or course, WASH
inGton should have 4 grsat uni.