Evening star., 1917-11-11
POLICE MAKE PLEA
FOR SAFETY FIRST
Week Campaign of Talks
From Theaters' Stages
Ends.
COOPERATION IS INVITED

That the lives of the countrys po-
tential fighting men are more precious
to the nation now than during times of
peace has been made clear during the
past week by persons engaged in the
safety first campaign that was con-
Quoted in the theaters under the super
vision of Maj. Raymond w. Pullman,
superintendent of police.
$50 are the lives of men and women
who are producing the resources which
make it possible for the United States
to send it's great armies abroad and
maintain upon the seas fighting ships
and merchant vessels to feed our
armies and the armies and peoples Of
the allies" speakers told their hearers.
They further advised their hearers
to get the safety habit for the benefit
Of their families and themselves, and
were told not to hold receptions or re-
unions, or try to borrow money In the
middle of busy thoroughfares.
Casualties and Fines.
Right here in the District of Column
bia flfty-two persons lost their lives
through traffic accidents on the streets.
and nearly 3.400 persons suffered in
juries during the fiscal year ending
June 80 last. an increase of fifteen
deaths and nearly 900 injuries over the
previous year" said one speaker. In
addition to these totals, traffic violators
contributed as the result of their care
lessness more than $4,000 in fines.
Since that time the official records of
the police and .coroner's office indicate
that these accidents are still on the
increase.
The officers have not time to warn
and continue to warn careless drivers.
They must act swiftly and efficiently
against violators Of the law. There is
fic laws, which are well known to all
drivers of all horse drawn or motor We
hicles. These must work together to
help the police to make Washington the
safest city in the United States.
How great this problem is can be
seen when you realize that business in
cident to the war has almost doubled
the number of motor vehicles operated
on the streets of the National Capital.
Parking these vehicles in the congested
districts has decreased the operating
space for traffic. and there is an influx
Of drivers who are not familiar with
the traffic laws of the District of Co
lumbia, as well as pedestrians who are
similarly unacquainted.
Duty of Pedestrian.
"The pedestrian. too. has his duty to
perform: The street-crossing sema-
phore that regulates vehicular traffic.
should be his guide. Many foot passers
feel that they can rush through lines
of moving traffic without regard to the
officers signal Their ignoring Of the
rule is certain to bring disaster. Walk
right! That means keep on the right
hand of the walk; go with the traffic.
Even If you are from the country, where
there are no paved streets or curb
stones, don't betray 1t to the world by
cutting across lots, where there are no
safety aisles or traffic men to protect
You.
THE Commissioners can enact regu-
lat!ons providing heavy penalties, and
have done so: policemen can arrest vio-
lators of these regulations. and have
done SO: the courts can inflict the heavy
penalties provided, and have done so.
And still the slaughter continues, and
will continue to mount higher and
higher each year until you realize that
in your hands rests the solution of the
problem. The problem can be solved.
the slaughter decreased. if not entirely
eliminated. by intelligent cooperation
on your part, both pedestrians and ye-
hicle drivers, with the police authori-
ties"
Maj. Pullmans safety first campaign
closed last night. Members of the
traffic squad will continue efforts in the
schools until every pupil understands
what safety first means. Lieut.. Albert
j. Headley, head of the traffic SQUAD:
Sergta William S. Shelby and Buell.
Stanley. also members of the squad, and
Sergt Stott OF the fourth precinct are
interested in this work.