The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-02-20


 ar is the idea.
 automobile the lights are electric and the blinding glare. which causes so
 many fatalities and collisions, could be eliminated in an instant Many automobile operators run their ma- chimes with practically no attention to the working parts until something breaks an demands immediate atten- tion. The result is that very often when the breaks are needed to work, and work quick to avoid an accident, ,, they fail and the crash results. The Safety First campaign urges special and frequent inspectors of brakes to see that they are tight and in first class order for emergencies, which may arise at any moment.
 Among the valuable suggestions made for the aid of motcrists( they are advised to equip their machines with fire extfnguishers. Now only those who have figured in, or witness ed automobile fires, know and can appreciate the full value of that sug- gestion. There are many good ex- tinguishers on the market, which can take up but very little space on an automobile. but may at any time be the means of saving the machines.
 Motorists Invite Trouble. ,
 The motorists who leave an auto mobile standing in the streets unat- tended and fails to lock it, shut off the power and apply the emergency brake. is inviting trouble. The brake may prevent the machine from start ing down a grade and being wrecked. The locking. and appliance of the brake, may thwart the intentions of an automobile thief. Many machines have been stolen from the streets of Bridgeport as we'll as every other city in the country, and while the police authorities do everything in their power to prevent thefts and recover
 machines the owners must also do their share.
 In the matter of street accidents which result in death or injury, stat istics show that children are the most
 numerous victims. It is by reason of Ethe fact that they are most careless and unmfndful of the dangers and l risks they take. In these days of swiftly moving automobiles. trolley cars and wagons. the streets make a
 dangerous playground.
 Children Take Risks.
 Children do not realize the terrible risks they take when they run into 1 the highways of city like Bridge port to roller skate, hitch on the back of wagons or automobiles and do many other similarly foolish things. There is always a vacant lot, play ground or at least a sidewalk in the vicinity where children can find ] room enough to play. Hundreds of accidents result from children suddenly rushing from the sidewalk into the streets while plav- ing tag or chasing ball, without looking, they dash directly in front i of an approaching automobile or wagon. It many times, results in 1 their death or some serious injury. Up to Parents.
 It is up to the parents of children 10 see that they do not run such risks and endanger their lives. A little | sound parental control will put stop l to such things, and thus the parents can save the life and limbs of their l children and at the same time, be of
 great help in the great Safety First campaign for the prevention of acci- dents.
 Sled coasting across. or onto streets, i which are traversed by automobiles or trolley cars, is another of the most ] dangerous habits of children. They are prone to make investigations by
 touching the handles and levers of
 standing automobiles or touching of
 electric wires which have broken and
 landed on the ground. Either of these
 practice is likely. to cause death. Policeman Child's Friend. l Too many parents make the mis- take of using the policeman as a
 "bugaboo" to control their children.
 They instill a fear in the hearts and
 minds of children against every police
 man. That fear remains through life
 and the effect on the minds and i habits of children is extremely bad for l them. The policeman is the friend of children and it is part of his duty 1 to do everything in his power to pro- 1 tect. and help them. Children should
 be tau>ht tha. fact and it will have i a welcome effect on them in later 1 years of their lives.
 l If these things are pointed out to children in the right manner by their parents, so they will learn to safe
 guard their own lives, it will be big
 stride towards the desired end. The
 careful consideration by drivers of 1 motors and other vehicles of the sug-
 gestions made by the Police authori- ties will be ano+t,er great help. l Pedestr ans. d-i--e~e ard children should realize tat any corlnends eiv- en ther, by rcicer,an ara for tl cir own benefit. Policemen are good fel- l lows and will demon t-ate the fact in many ways if given the opportunity I by the public.
 |. Use Parking Places.
 l Bridgeport's streets are extremely narrow in the business section of the