Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-05-23
A FATHERS POINT OF VIEW

TO the Editor Of Epening Ledger:
Sir-I read Mrs. Pinkerton's letter in the
| EVENING LEDGER of the 18th inst. on the
question of motor accidents, entitled "A
| Mother's Point of View" From her second
sentence l should say it might have beer
entitled "A Motorist Mothers Point OF
View The point which attracted me, how
| ever Is Mrs. Pinkerton's question: "Now
VIII you tell me what kind of a mother
| they had TO allow such children to play in
the street?' 1 hardly think the mother re
| Ierred TO was rare exception. Most chill.
| dFen play In the street at one time or an.
other l think If Mrs Pinkerton had four
| boys instead of two girls she might prob-
ably take different view.
would like to state few facts which
may snow why | am especially interested
in this question.
Last winter 1 was told on the telephone
that one of my boys had just been killed
under the wheels of motor truck, while
shedding, To get home as quickly as pos
slble ! engaged taxcab for part of the
trip and during that ride of about three
miles through an outlying section of the
city we passed, believe, not less than a
thousand children of all ages that were big
enough to sled on the streets, having the
time Of their lives, What kind of mothers
must they have had?
After our accident l learned that many
of our neishbors seriously considered pro
hibiting their children playing in the streets.
but after such deliberations, sill of them. /
think, / know of no exceptions, decided that
the children should continue as before i'm
this regard though there was talk of in.
slsting on hetter protection for them. What
kind of mothers did they have? They had
and have good, ehild-loving, energetic, out
door American mothers the kind of moth
ers who raised cry of protest when a
child was killed on a prominent corner
unprotected by an officer and occupied by
school, at l o'clock on school day, with
no danger signs to warn motorists 10 drive
carefully; the kind who protest because the
school had room for the first fiye grades for
only half time, the fourth grade of which
Included our boy in its membership; the
kind that protest when a mntorlst runs
over child and then explains that he
didn't see man so or 100 feet ahead way,
ing and calling to him 70 look out, but says
he slowed up at the next corner because
that was busy street much used by autos
1t has been suggested that vigilance
league be formed for mutual protection, its
members to report liagfaRt violations Of the
law on the part Of careless motor drivers.
and each case, II investigation warrants ID,
10 he prosecuted and not be let OFF by some
friendly magistrate, who may or may not
AJAX the laWless one TO send In $3.50 Such
an organization should interest motorists
who do abide by the Law as a protection
against the reeklessness OF those who do
its formation and together with other
members, would report one-tenth OF the Ma,
grant violations she witnesses her action
would save more lives than any other one
thing she is likely to do.
Playgrounds2 Yes, and more Fairgrounds
Ieaave been told that in some parts Of the |
city sections OF the main streets are roped |
off for chilaFen's eoastiAg, ! wish the hliI |
lust around the corner from our house had |
been roped off. However, IL is not too late |
for others let us hope that some day rec |
aenlxsd improvements will be efficiently an, |
plisd wherever nesd arises
Mrs. PinkeTton says nothing about az. |
rsstiaa reckless drivers, but she does say |
AohildTsn, especially, should be made d |
that the stFest Is for vehicles |
ma every child caught stealing rides should |
since mothers eanAet bear trained ehIl, |
sren. nor yet bring them 10 mature disers. /
ion and foresight IN four or five years. i /
asIlsye We should heln. guide and praEeel /
Ibaa In every reasonable aag. ana aHreaE i
aduit law breakers zEsellsss. incapable me.
IeTIsfs aaa truck aHlssFs-=eYerE tlma thss /
szssk the laa. aaa en Ehe third offsnsa. per-
ssnsaIis re4aka their licenses. as ! believe
s zsas Is parts q Europe with excellent
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