The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1919-11-06
SAFETY FIRST" NEED
MANIFEST IN U. S. A.
Auto Accidents Take First Place in
Death Roll and Increase Alarm
ingly-Uniquc Punishment for
Spcedcrs.

A great wage of aalrm, righteous
Indignation, and preventive activity
is sweeping the country as a result
of the rapidly increasing numbers Of
persons killed and manned in auto
mobile accidents daily, according to
reports received at the headquartcrs
of the National Safety Council at
Chicago.
The tendency to resort 20 radical
measures in order to curb reckless
ness and carelessness on the part Of
both the motorist and the pedestrian
is examplifed by recent develop
ments in the following cities:
Chicago, where automobile speed
ers are sentenced to make slow trips
through the Morgue under the guild
ance of deputy coroner;
youngstown, Ohio. where the auto
mobile speeder is sentenced to hold
watch beside the body OF the person
killed by his machine or at the hos
pital bedside II the accident victim is
injured;
New York City, where a "Rogues
Gallery" for traffic law offenders is
maintained by the police department:
GA plan to photograph and finger
print chauffeurs has been proposed
to the Chicago Board of Aldermen),
ST Louis, where grand Jury after
being in session for four months sub
mitted lengthy report two-thirds of
which was given over to the recon-
mendation OF public safety measures
During 1917 more than 1900 per
sons were killed and more than 1900
persons were seriously injured IN
crossing accidents on the railroads
OF the United States. The greatest
number OF these accidents were cases
OF automobiles being struck at high
way crossings and OF automobiles
running into trains at crossings II
Is toward the elimination OF such
conditions that the activities OF the
National Safety Council and OF the
United States Railroad Adminlstrn-
tion In the present Accident Proven
tion Drive are directed.
The intensity OF the contest be-
tween 81, Louis. Cleveland, Roches-
ter, Detrlot. and n number OF other
cities for the title Safest City In A
merlca" Is revealed by most un-
usual report submitted to the Circuit
Court at ST. Louis a few days ago by
n most unusual Grand Jury.
/. That additional trafiic and
motorcycle officers be employed.
2. That police officers, other than
those OF the traffic squad, be thor
oughly familiar with trafic regula-
tions and that they be required to
make reports OF all such violations
observed.
3. That consideration be given To
the working out OF a plan OF one-way
trafIic east and west, where there II
great congestion,
4. That an ordinance be adopted
requiring pedestrians to cross the
street at regular street crossings.
9. That action be taken giving
newspaper publicity TO the existence
OF various associations promoting
safety. and that the public be re-
quested to co-Ouerate with such AS
sociatlons by reporting to them cases
OF reckless driving and violations OF
traffic laws, such reports to contain
the license number OF ear, place, time
and nature of violation.
G. That some plan be worked out
in all schools TO impress upon the
students the importance OF afety
Daily talks by teachers In the class
rooms and safety contests between
schools are suggested,
7. That publicity be given the
safety movement In the sunday
schools, churches, and homes.
s. That necessary action be taken
, for the enactment Of aiete law re
quiring that every employed person
,, driving motor vehicle pass an eX
animation before board,
, o. That upon the enactment O
, this law, u board be created in Tho
r. City Of ST, Louis to instruct all driv
, ers of motor vehicles how to compl!
with traffic regulations and how t.
handle motor vehicles safely. Thi
, board will examine drivers TO ascer
, tain whether they possess the neces
, sary qualifications, such as mora
q sight, hearing, and other qualilica
tions Upon meeting all OF the re
quirements the driver shall receive
from this board a certificate, which
upon presentation to the license col
lector together with a signed state
ment by the driver that he Will as
= due caution and observe all tralfi
II | - a go. F,.., A., ,,gg and raqu1atioug Wil