Middletown transcript., 1919-11-01
TWO GOOD ESSAYS
By Pupils Of Middletown High
School Preventing Accidents

By Pupils Of Middletown High
School Preventing Accidents :
ON OUR NUMEROUS RAILROADS
The National Railroad Accident Pre-
vention Drive began October the 18th,
and is to continue until October the
3lst. This has committee of 10000
members, who have been organized for
the purpose of preventing as many ac-
cideLts as possible, particularly during
these two weeks.
These men realize the number of ae-
cidents caused from the lack of thought
and action when danger is near and not
because the danger is not known. Con-
sequently every child should be taught
to think clearly and act promptly in
time of danger. Another great factor
is caution; see the danger before it is
too late.
Elevated and undergrade crossings
are becoming more numerous all the
time. Nevertheless there are still
many grade-crossings and these have
their annual list of accidents.
The man, who, for the purpose of
saving few minutes, steps off or on
moving train is careless. Instead of
gaining few minutes, he may, by
slight slip or fall, lose an arm or limb.
And thus injured a man cannot serve in
the army or fill many of the positions in
the business world. Is it worth the
chance?
In the last few years the railroad
officials have spent thousands of dollars
tor safety devices, such as safety gates
at the crossings where traffic is great
est. At the less important crossings
there are flagmen on guard, both day
and night, who prevent anyone passing
when train is near, or bell that
rings when train is within two hundred
yards of the crossing. and in addition to
these there is the famous sign, "Stop!
Look Listen - which is not an orna-
ment, but warning of approaching
danger, which should be Obeyed.
By these means the railroad compa-
MES are doing all in their power to pre-
vent accidents, but they need the CO.
operation Of everyone to make the drive
a success.
CLARA r. BRADY.
Safety, although one of the essentials
in the life of ma.,, has not until lately
been given very much consideration.
But Safety First" should be given the
utmost thought by every person. All
accidents and loss of life through acci-
dent are avoidable and can be prevent
ed by thinking. If the majority of the
people could be Taught to think, acci-
dents would become very rare indeed.
The boys and girls are the ones on
whom the next generation must depend
to carry forward the work of the word.
therefore, anything that tends to weak
en- or destroy their force, should receive
the serious consideration Of every citi-
zen. Statistics show that about 43, 600
small children are killed every ten
years, yearly average toll of about
1000. 1t is a tragedy that in America
where we pride ourselves on our eff
cheney that there is such harvest of
death each year. If safety is taught
the children of to-day, the next genera =
tion will reap great harvest. Each
year the industries recruit from the
older children new workmen, and if .
these children are taught Safety
First" they will co operate more closely
with their employers to prevent acci-
dents in industry.
One morning while waiting to cross
the railroad, 1 saw at least twelve per-
sons cross the track in front of a stand
ing train with an express train an
preaching from the opposite direction.
Were these people cooperating in the
drive for "Safety First ?'' Perhaps
they thought there was plenty of time.
but if one should have gotten his foot
caught it probably would have resulted
in a fatal accident. Of what use are
gates at railroad crossings if people ip-
more them and crawl under them to the
other. side.
Safety indeed should be considered in
most all lines of business. In all ma
chine and workshops the workmen are
urged by their employers to use the Ut
most care in han Hing all kinds of tools.
In every machine shop you can see the
sign, BE careful, protect your fellow
men and workmen as we'll as Yourself"
If everyone would take some interest in
safety first these signs would not be
particularly necessary. We have made
our country safe and free from autoc-
racy. why not 60 step further and
make it free from accident by .the
teaching and studying of Safety
First"
WILSON CHM.