The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1920-06-24

Expressive Finger Code Has Been
Devised by Theron W. Xii.
mer, a New Yorker.
FIVE IDEAS q: IMPORTANCE
Numerous Accidents Last Year Were
Due to Lack of Knowledge of Con-
dition Of Roads Ahead-Word
of Warning Helps.

Last year the reckless and incOmpe-
tent handling of automobiles in a sin
Gle state eXacted a toll Of LIST lives,
and thousands of persons were more
or less grievously injured besides. A
lack of knowledge Of conditions, ig-
nOrance of the state of the road
ahead, and failure Of the driver to
caution another, had much to do with
numerous accidents, and the destruc-
ton or loss of an immense amount of
property throughout the country
writes Robert W. Skerrett in the Sci
entific American.
The continually augmentng number
Of machines and our overwhelming de-
penNence upon automOtive vehicles
make it imperative that we find some
media by which needless sacrifices OF
life, limb and material can be reduced.
DR.. Theron W. Kilmer, q physician in
New York city, has suggested that
much may be gained in this direction
by facilitating intercommunication be-
tween the drivers of moving cars. he
is convinced that word Of warning at
the right time will be of the greatest
benefit, and to this end he has evolved
q sign language in which display OF
from one to five fingers make ii prac-
ticable for the man at the wheel to sig
nal useful information or to ask an
other motorist a question which may
save much time and trouble.
Amplification Of Semaphore.
The code is merely an amplitication
of the one-arm semaphore by which a
driver now indicates that he is about
to turn out of line and thus cautions
the man behind him to SLOW up. The
s'ynals are all made with the forearm
held upright and the hand so placed
that the fingers will receive a ful
measure of light or stand out we'll sill
houetted against a luminous back
ground Doctor Kilmer has chosen
this position as the one likelest t(
prevent confusion. AS an experienced
notOrist, he knows how much the othel
fellow hates to be halted, particular!
If he is not to be the gamer; and III
desire has been to produce a code O
such simplicity that she that runs ma!
read"
The display of single finger mean
"You have a fiat shoe;;" two finger
warns the approaching or passing ca
that something is wrong with it, il
short, that the machine should b
stopped and inspected; three fingers
the query Am l on the right road t
the next town." a spread of four tr
fiers is the symbol for danger ahead
: and when five fingers are shown tn
oncoming motorist Is asked to sto
:. and to lend assistance.
May Save Life.
A flat shoe is not trifing matte
,
In ignorance of IL a driver may rui
tire; and the records show that nj
merOus grave accidents have resulte
from this wheel defect. SOmethin
C. may be loose or about to drop from
passing car which may entail eitht
; loss Of property or invite disaste
Prompt inspection will save a tool be
or perhaps prevent wreck. Tin
and again the stranger has gone mile
astray on the wrong road when ne
or a shake of the head from some OF
informed might have treasured him
on the right path, or brought hi
around and into the desired highw;
tO thp next town.