The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-06-16

in urgent need of motor transporta-
ton. We take the liberty of suggest :
ing to you the wisdom OF your having
a survey mado of your own district,
either through the me dunn of a COM
mittee or through the agency of the
press. to the end that this office may
be notified OF those districts tn which
action needs to be taken. We know of
no course which would be of more
value assisting the council OF national
defense to render concrete aid to those
parts of the country which now lack
proper transportation facilities.
LAS YOU know, the rail and electric
lines are in a serious financial condi-
ton and their excuses now must be
met either by government funds or
increased rates. There seems to be
an opportunity to develop feeders for
both by penetrating areas without
TRANSPORTATION and feeding the rail-
roads and waterways many thousands
OF tons which now cannot be brought
to the market
The entire transportation problem
is at the present time of such a seri-
Gus nature that 1t ia the belief of this
committee that Instead of duplicating
transportation and taking tonnage
away from the railroads and electric
iihcS Tic tHolof Truck must De utlIlZeQ
greatly to increase tonnage and to as
sist the railroads and waterways in
making complete delivery
May we ask your support in secur-
ing such information from your dis
trict that 1t may be pooled and used
for the benefit of all areas?"
The United States council OF national
defense through its highways trans
port committee. is just now inaugu-
rating a nationwide campaign for the
purpose Of bringing about the adoption
so far as possible OF suggested uniform
traffic regulations and directions. that
the alarming number OF accidents oc-
curing daily on the highways be de-
creased
It is the belief Of the highway trans
port committee that through this
movement life and limb may be con-
served and economic results of an i'm
pressive character attained. The
courts have estimated tho value of a
ington, as an instance, the death toll
as last officially announced was at
the rate of eighty-two per year. These
figures speak for themselves.
The need. therefore. for uniformity
throughout the country in such rogu-
lations and directions to the end that
the number OF accidents. resulting pri-
marily from the increasing number OF
power driven vehicles on the highways,
may be decreased would seem to be
apparent
These suggested regulations and d.
rections represent. the council of ma
tional defense believe, the best and
most disinterested thought on the sub
ject of highway accidents. and their
cause and remedies, possible to be
had
Prepared originally by William r
Emo. world authority on police traf-
fic. these regulations and direction.
have since been submitted for con-
structive criticism to secretaries of
state. state highway commissioners
and engineers. judges and lawyers
publicists who have given close study
to this question; traffic authorities in
some of the larger cities, the American
Automobile association, the National
Automobile chamber of commerce. the
Highway Industries association. the
National Highway Traffic association
and to scores OF individuals competent
to pass upon this question.