The New York herald., 1921-10-30
PRIZES FOR ESSAYS
ON STREET SAFETY
Highway Transport Commit
tee Has Plan to Reduce Au-
tOmObile Accidents.
AGGREGATE VALUE So, 900
School Children to Take Part
and Contest Will Close
December 10.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20. - Seeking TO
reduce the number of automobile acci-
dents. which take an annual toll Of
thousands Of childrens lives. the High
way and Transport Education Commit
tee Is announcing q national safety
campaign among grammar school pu-
pills and grammar school teachers.
The campaign takes the form OF two
national essay contests. One Is among
pupils OF the fifth. sixth, seventh and
eighth grades and the other Is among
ing invited to prepare lessons teaching
children safe behavior on the highways
How Can Make the Highways More
Safe" Is the subject on which children
are asked to prepare essays.
Four hundred and fifty State prizes
are being offered through the commits
tee by the National Automobile Cham
Der OF Commerce in the hope that
pupils will be stimulated to participate
The prizes have an aggregate value OF
5000 and are distributed among the
States on q basis Of elementary school
enrolment. Teachers are offered three
national prizes, the first Of which IL 500
in cash ana q trip to Washington. The
second and third priaes are $500 and 500
respectively.
An enthusiastic response from every
section Of the country has greeted tho
announcement. State, city and county
superintendents Of schools are lending
the weight Of their influence to the
campaign and bringing the contests to
the attention of pupils and teachers
under their jurisdiction.
Mothers clubs, civic organizations,
chambers OF commerce. safety councils
and other organizations that are inter-
- - ~
the country are assisting the committee
in the national campaign which will
culminate with the observance Of ma
tional Safety Week." December 4 to 10
The contests close Saturday. December
10, when all essays and lessons are to
be in the hands of the principals OF
schools. After December 10 the best
essays and the best lessons from each
community will be chosen by competent
committees and then forwarded to the
State committee to be designated by the
State Superintendent Of Schools or
other influential persons. After the best
essays and the best lessons have been
chosen for the various States and terri
torial possessions the State prizes In
the pupils contests will be awarded and
the manuscripts receiving State honors
will then be forwarded to the commit
tee In Washington.
Arrangements are being made for dis
tinguished educators to read the State
essays and tho State lessons and to
choose therefrom the ones entitled to
the national honors.
DR.. John J. Tigert, United States Com
missioner of Education, who Is chair
man Of the Highway and Highway
Transport Education Committee. has
written the state and city superin-
tendents requesting assistance. In his
letter DR.. Tigert said: I'm order to re-
duce the appalling number of accidents
on our streets and highways. wish tc
call your attention to the safety educa-
tional programme Of the Highway and
Highway Transport Education Commit
tee. If not inconsistent with your poll
cies I trust we may have your hearty
cooperation"
The committee, which has offices In
the Willard Building, is answering
scores Of inquiries daily from principals
teachers and pupils, who have signified
their intention Of participating in the
campaign.