The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1916-02-26
THE PUBLIC'S ONLY SAFETY

We retire in defeat and despair,
from all efforts to do little some
thing toward the safeguarding of
human life and human rights from the
hourly menace of the multiplying au-
tomobile. We have never entertained
much hope of protection by way of the
law; for our American people are no.
toriously Indifferent to the fultilment
of the law-an indifference which is
about as prevalent in official circles as
anywhere else. So that we are not
surprised, and have long since ceased
to be shocked, by the frequent sight
of reckless automobiles running cars
in town and out of town without the
least regard for State or municipal
law, and of course without the least
regard for human life-their own or
another's. Neither have we entertain
ed much hope of relief from the "shot
gun" policy that has been vigorously
advocated in some communities. We
recognize how sorely at times an ex-
asperated pedestrian may be tempted
to empty gun barrel or two into the
person or machine of fool chauffeur.
But to advocate such policy of per-
sonal protection or of social relief
"Oulu ne IOO IiluIii Inc duNOIdIlllS a
return to primitive conditions.
We have rather preferred to enter
tain the hope that owners and drivers
of automobiles could be brought to see
that the very fact of their operation
of powerful machine on public thoro-
fares imposed upon them the obliga-
ton of not merely observing their
technical rights of the road, but the
obligation of exercising all possible
precautiOn for the protection of the
public. We did not expect, of course,
such principle to appeal to some
operators of machines, because every
body knows that there is mo medicine
for a fool" But we did expect this
this principle to appeal to many of
our fellow automobiles, and are deep
ly disappointed that it does not. 1t
seems to US that every man of humane
instincts and sound reason should ad-
nit that there is on him. as the owner
or operator of a powerful and danger
GUS machine, very great obligation
TO do everything possible to protect
the travelling public from any injury
at his hands. We regret to find that
our views do not meet much approval
IN aiuon obile circles-not even in
p.a ,e., and amongst persons where we
would expect to find such approval
Hence our despair of seeing any i'm
p,HNtm ent in automobile manners or
methouS We have evidently lived
too long. The age is one in which we
are misplaced. We throw up our
har DIS and retire. We meekly yield to
the despotic lrign of the auto and call
upon all users of the streets and high
ways to join us in recognizing the in
evitable. Keep yourself and your
children off the streets as much as
possible. Keep your family and your
self off the road as much as possible.
Don't resent this advice-follow it.
1t is not a question of what you like;
it is question of whether you want
to live. Don't appeal to the shotgun,
that might ,ead you into further trou-
bic. Don't put any hope in the law,
you can be killed under its splendid
inefficiency. Lock yourself and your
family up in the house. It's your only
safety-even though it be a trife irk-
some. And if the time hangs some
what heavily on your hands, fill up the
"leadenfooted hours" with figuring
up how cheap human life has become
and in preparations for the other
world