Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-02-05

80" N"."hS paSedht may he lost In
the action Of the present i.cgislaturo
who have refused to bond tho STATE
for good roads. and right here. LOT
me Eay that when | was n hoy 7
READ little humorous book, .'Tb.
Arkansas Traveller" That ridden
lous little book kept that great state
from coming Into its own for anour
hfty years. Virginia had better lon,e
out on the good road question
BENZ. j.. HOLMES
Spring Grove. Va. ,J'nh 4, 1922
Wake Railroad Grndc Crossings Snfc.
To the Editor OF Tho Times Dispatch.
Sir.-When we come to realize tho
prcrcnihbic waste OF human uf.
caused by chrelcssness In handling
automobiles. especially the unucc.s
sary losses at railroad crossings on
the level, IL does seem like human
HE IL viewed as OF trivial inheritance
ersohally II appears that we would
Try To i've: any way as long as we
arc physically and mentally active.
i'ut when we read IN the current
news the suffering and deaths that are
daily brought to our notice OF acci-
dents at level railroad crossings. IL
~ past comprehension to understand
the inertia and complaccncy with
"hich such casualties ara held in
minds OF the people At large. 1t Is
rtallr no cNaggtration To Dluntly nut
This blasc attitude as Il facsimile
photograph Of the natural regard or
maybe disregard OF the value Of hu-
man NE These accidents may for a
re" hours bring sadness to tho
hearts OF the families afflicted. hut
,hc constant happenings day after
hhf without !nnuiry or the conscious-
ness 81 concerted effort on the part
OF our state authorities in stopping
them. demonstrates the actual
cheapncss OF human life. And what
Is more and equally at variance with
ne facts. the railroads usually get
the censurc and the blame for what
they are In no manner responsible
and should not be so considered.
The expense OF overhead and nm.
h~r-'rack passcs would bankrunt
every railroad In existence: nor
could u he possible for the same rc,
son I" keep wn,chmen at every rrads
crossing. Prudence. Judgment, safety
ana economy ali combine to urps n
law requiring ali automobiles 10
STOP at every railroad crossing. lo,l,
ana jiHicn: and this demand should
carry hnc heavy enough 10 cum
mana respect and absolute cornpli-
ance T" this shoaih be added all
the costs which naturally accrue i'm
such accident cases
II Is q Scif-cvidcnt fact that there
Us never any reason so nrp.n, as 10
make any one Carelets OF hiy own or
another iifc. Such accidents are
always the result OF foolish and IN
excnsablc rahhnoEH or an aticmp, IN
rush "a plain breach of honor
Ana in this connection. II might
b" well Ia caution every one not TO
walk or otherwise ;respass on any
part OF railroad property. Think OF
the great number Of accidents that
happen on the railroads Fight .of-way:
and consider TIA" WRIT aHyrcgatc
sums these injured trcspasacTs cost
the railroads each year. There is mo
excuse for walking or mourning Other
trcspbss on amy railroad rcscrva-
ton i!eraus- railroad Is "a publ.
service institution does not throw II
open 10 tho use and abuse az the
public: and. every fracture ~ i,s
inviolnblc right. should receive ccr.
n"nsnra'e punishment IN tho way
established hy legal enactment, :,
excuses and exemptions should he
tolerated Grind down to the line IN
every instance. No repieadcr should
ever hc granted. An enforced law
In easy To obey. The habit ~ obey
ing sets the pace that guides the ~.
fure. 1, human!zes and helps 10
max. life worth living.
STEPHEN HARNSBERGER ". r..
Warrenton. Va. Fehruaiy :. 1922.