New-York tribune., 1921-12-25
By n. Clifford Brokaw

Some folks say that human life has
deprecated in value since thc World
War. To emphasize their point they
call attention to the large amount of
criminal activity that cutters UP the
police records Of our cities. Some
have intimatcd that the automotive
world is not entirely tree from sus-
picions which would indicate that n
lower value is being placed en- human
life
few years age CO. people were
kltled IN the Chicago Iroquos Theater
fire and the whole country was
aroused AS result Of this catas
trophe people all over the United
States began to investigate the posi-
hiitles OF such disaster occurring in
their own local communities ard to
demand more stringent protective
regulations.
Yet last year IN Chicago 500 people,
Almost as many as We're lost in the
theater calamity, are reported to have
been killed by automobiles And no
one notices any great national demand
tor greater protection OF human life
from motor cars. In fact. if the pres
ent rate Of deaths by automobiles in
Chicago continues to December 81.
more than lVJ people will have met
death in this way, an increase of more
than 100 people.
7t6 Killed Here in 1929
Last year in New York City TAG peo-
pie are said to have been killed BY
automobiles, with an indica ton that
in 1921 the total will run up to over
goo Life in these cities and through
out America may be safe for democra-
ccy, but it evidently isn't any too safe
tor those who travel where motor
cars so.
IN 1920 there were mere than one
NAN as many people killed by auto
mobiles in the United States as were
mortally injured in all the factories.
railroads and mines Of tho country
combined. But in industry during the
last fourteen years accidental deaths
nave been reduced 2S per cent, while
IN the autcmotive world such fatalities
have increased 5000 per cent, nearly
I2.Uo0 people having been killed bv
automobiles in 1920.
Such situation is bound to hurt
the automobile industry if it is not
corrected. 1t indicates that there NAV
be some truth in the statement that
many drivers do not have as hiph q
conception Of the sacredness of human
llle as they should possess. And alonr
with TINS goes disregard of law and
oroer' for there are ample speed
laws IN most places which, il they
were obeyed, would reduce the number
OF disasters to minimum.
About one person out of every twelve
IN the United States owns motor
vehical of some kind Therefore. there
q
who drive cars. 1t ought to be said
that most of these 5000 900 arc fairly
conservative and careful drivers. But
whlle most of these owners Of cars OBJ
serve the laws. they are not very ac-
tive IN creating public sentiment
against those who do not keen the
rules of the road. Since careful drivers
ere quite as much in peril from the
reckless motorists as are pedestrians.
they ought to take the lead in doing
everything possible to correct this
evil
Fault Of Pedestrians, Too
The pedestrians, too, are not en-
tirely blameless. In the first place
many take chances and violate ira
rules IN an apparent don't
whether-l- l-live-or-not attitude They
often make it extremely difficult for
the most careful drivers to avoid acci-
dents. In the second place, those who
walk. whether owners Of cars or not
can do much to create a public onn-
ION that will make it Impossible for
the present situation to become worse.
The autom obile has become neces-
sary to civilization as food is neces-
sary to the body. But as the BODY
becomes unhealthy through an i'm
proper use of food. so our civilization
will be retarded if we let our auto
mobiles tend to cheaper life
The automotive industry has given
employment to millions Of peonle it
has enabled the urbanite to get into
the country; it has been boon to the
farmer; it has done wonders for the
salesman; it has hurried the doctor to
the SICK; it has hustled the fireman
to save the burning home; it has made
travel possible for many; it has be-
come primary transportation factor
IN society. Practically every person in
the country benefits in one way or an
other from this tremendous industry
that has sprung to its present growth
IN little over a score of years
Fortunately this carraue is NOT moo