The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-02-10
Maximum Penalty
the Only Solution

Hardly day passes now that there
is not reports of auto accidents, or:
near-accidents, and practically all cf
them are directly chargeable to the
carelessness, or criminality, Of Wild
eyed or incompetent driver. No mat
ter how cautious one may be in trying
to get by, or in trying to let such an
outlaw" by, it is wholly out Of the
question Of removing their machine
and occupants from danger, caused
wholly by such criminal, and often ir-
responsible driver. 1t is a shame and
a disgrace that decent and law-abid-
ing citizens are compelled to stand
such gross impositions on their nat
ural rights and privileges.
There is one way, and only one
practical way, that The Times can
suggest at this time to put a stop to,
or materially decrease such lawless-
ness, and that is to assess a heavy fine
on all who should be arrested for
such crimes, and if such fines are not
paid forthwith, then they should be
put to work on the roads or rock
pile. The taxpayers should not be
burdened with their keep in Jail. They
should be compelled TO work out
their own salvation" Decent people
are entitled to protection while on the
public highways. Certainly they
should have more right there than
such ff-raff, who are rapidly losing
the respect and tolerance of those who
do not abuse their privileges on the
highways.
One of the inexcusable collisions re-
ported the past week is here given, in
order to show the overbearing prac-
tices this wild-eyed gentry pursues.
Saturday evening Mrs. Lowrance
Hunt and Miss Bertha Hunt We're on
their way to attend an Eastern Star
meeting at Doe Run. When they had
about reached their destination they
saw big car approaching, at a high
rate of speed and with dazzling, blind
ing headlights. Perhaps intuition told
them to be careful of this demon, and
they steered as far to the right side
Of the road as possible, and brought
their car to standstill. as that blind
ing light made it dangerous to pro.
ceed.
But even after surrendering their
rights to the roadway, and taking ey,
cry possible precaution, they were moi
permitted to escape. The big car did
not deviate an inch from the middle
of the roadway. and struck the cal
occupied by those two ladies q terri
| Bile Jolt, tearing off tenders, a wheel
broke steering rods, and did consid
cradle damage TO the car, besides "a,
shock Sustained by the two occupants
1 Tie big car was apparently sohieWhal
damaged also, but It did not SO fnncl
as hesitate from the collision, pa
kept right on. This is also another
practice of such law-breakers. They
do not care to be identified. That Il
4 the way they invariably figure wheI
their own unbridied careless gets
them into trouble duck and get away
Ali law abiding auto drivers ar'
rapidly coming to the conclusion that
IL they are entitled to any legal pro
lection against such high-handed law
lessness on the public thoroughfarei
| it is certainly time that the law should
take hand in the suppression o.
these crimes, which appear to be rap
tidly increasing. Not only shoul'
speed demons and careless drivers b.
handled, but binding headlights an
spotlights should also be absolutel.
Il forbidden,