Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1919-10-14
TO>PREVENT
ACCIDENTS

One of the most sensible movements
of the United States railroad admin
istration is the campaign about to
be inaugurated for a two-weeks per-
iod throughout the entire country of
no accidents. 1t is the latest thing
in "drives" and is to be launched on
October IS, lasting until the 31st,
under the formidable name of the
National Accident Prevention drive
and is calculated to apply not only
to railroads and their operation, but
also to the running of automobiles
and other vehicles, and to persons
walking on railroad tracks, etc. Every
newspaper in the United States is
asked to give this drive wide public
ity for the two weeks, and preachers
are asked to mention the matter
from the pulpit, so that everyone
who walks on two legs or rides in
any kind of a thing from a fliver
to an aeroplane may nave ample
warning to be extra careful during
biiOoC JWO WOUND III OiQCi W IOOPCl-
ate with the railroad administration
in their desire to have, if possible,
two weeks without an accident in
the United States. AS most acct
dents are the result of someone's
carelessness it would seem as if con-
tinual urging to be careful were ne
.cessary. Yet if the inside of almost
every mans brain could be read, the
thought of each one would be 80,
can get by all right; nothing will
happen to me; I'll chance it." But
there is nothing more or less than
gambling with fate. In this fast age
the better plan is to be on the safe
side even if we do go little slower
A universal unwritten law on some
railroads is this: "Better sure than
sorry" This motto should be print
ed on cards and pasted on the wind
shield of every automobile, put into
the hand of every trespasser on rail-
road property or anyone else who
takes a chance on some foolhardy eff
fort while travelling.
Statistics are to be kept during
this campaign and published at its
close, which will surely make inter
esting reading to see which rail-
roads come through without an ac-
cident. Of course this cannot be
done in the case of auto drivers, yet
there should be some satisfaction to
them in knowing that there are some
lives and limbs saved which might
otherwise have been sacrificed had
this campaign not been put over.
Besides there may be lasting bene-
fit in the education it furnishes to
those who don't need it, who may be
led to stop, look and listen" perma-
nently instead of taking chances on
getting across before the train hits
them.
In spite of all the laws now exist
ing, all the signs of every character
displayed, and all the horrible exam
pies gone before, yet speed maniacs
will speed when they get a chance,
so often with dire results, men will
jump on and off from moving trains,
electric cars, ETC., men will trespass
on railroad tracks and bridges, and
will take their lives in their hands
in frantic effort to "get there"
regardless. If these alone could suf-
fer the consequences it would not
be so bad, but in too many cases
others must suffer for their care
lessness.
So when you see posters put up
before and during the time between
October IS and 81 just remember
that it means you and don't consider
that it means someone else.
enumerator special agent, supervisor
or other employee of the census bur
eau to divulge any information what
soever concerning the census returns.
A heavy fine and possible imprison-
ment, or both, is the penalty pre-
scribed for violation of this provision
of the law.
The proper tabulated figures of
the census are given out nowhere but
here in Washington and then only
upon the express authority of the di-
rector of the census bureau.