Norwich bulletin., 1914-02-21
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Reckless Auto Driving.

MT. Editor: I think The Bulletin is worthy of commendation for trying to suppress the reckless speeding of au- tomobies. Keep 1t up, l can't undor- stand how any sane person who reads in the newspapers accounts of the ter rible accidents, resulting in death, mu- tilated bodies, and the train of attend ant evils, can remain passive or in different. When I see, repeatedly, au t0mObilcs go by my home driven at reckless speed 1t makes me boil l admit being a crank. but there are others. Then. someone has said: "A crank my son. Is something that makes the wheels go round and insures progress We read also that most reform movements were started by Cranks. But l am among the millions who are entitled to the proper use of the public highways at all times, and demand a reasonable amount of pro tection while there. We are m tho my hat to the drivers Of automobiles who conform to the requirements Of the law, who have proper regard for the rights of others. and who display judgment and are cautious. They are entitled to much credit. There are two classes of speeders, the viIIainous ones those who have no regard whatever for the rights or feelings of others and those who are so completely car ried away with the excitement of the
 
 Irresponsible for anything. In the first class are those who are escaping from the clutches of the law immedi- ately after having committed crimes of another nature, those who are as sisting in their escape, and he who becomes criminal when he deliberate ly throws the lever into the high speed notch. This class should be shut out entirely, of course. The second class would be all right under proper re- straint. Just as long as automobiles are supplied with power to carry them along at the rate of 40 50 CT more i miles an hour, they will be run at those speeds, in spite of all ths laws which ever have been or are likely to be enacted.
 1 Because the general use of the auto mobile demands 1t. the states are building a lot of good roads, which i are all right as fast as they can be ! afforded, but it comes pretty tough for 1 the thousands of small farmers who ! cannot afford an automobile and who l still live on the back country roads to help pay for them. No state can af- | ford to build and maintain a road that 1 will stand up under the abuse that Is allowed on all roads at present, Why is an automobile built to carry four i people made heavy enough and strong | enough to carry a ton7 To Stapd the l strain of the speed. Why IS a larger one for seven people made heavy enough and strong enough 10 carry two tons? To stand the strain of the speed And there you arei All these things count in our demand--yes, de- mand-for a safe and sane use of tha automobile. What percentage of those | licensed to run automobiles are com potent? What percentage of those who are competent to be trusted? Condi- tions seem to be getting worse all the time, Something different must be tried. Make and enforce a law pro- hibiting the use. sale or nanuHactlr< of any self propei1ing vehicle to be used on q public highway capable oi greater speed than 20 miles an hour l They would have us believe that i cannot be done, but the inventive geHiHs of man that has brought tht automobile up to its present state O
 perfection can do it. Cqt down tht speed and machines could be made HghteE, more easily controlled ant
 would not raise the "0ld Harry" witt the roads. Three quarters of the user! of automobiles would be better satis fled. for each would know that th'
 other fellow couldn't go any faster
 the strain pn the nerves would b, greatly diminished, and the safety @
 the public greatly enhanced: Next!
 UNCLE BILLY. haslexille, Feh- 1a, 1914,