Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-18
SUNDAY SHOULD NOT BE DAY
OF SLAUGHTER

SUNDAY SnOOIO NOi De IA
OF SLAUGHTER
1t is contrary to the spirit of
American institutions that our Sun
days should become days vi
slaughter.
That is what is happening; the
toll of the automobile accidents is
all the evidence required to prove
it.
How stop it? Many are asking
that question. Every automobiles
especially, should seek an answer
should contribute his or her part to
the protection of all the public,
which includes motorists. They are
of the public, their lives are more
endangered than those of the stay
at-homcs. They are especially con-
Cerned that no day in all the week
shall deserve the name of being a
day of slaughter.
Motorists as well If not more than
others, must insist on enforcement
of the laws.
And while speaking of the laws
how many realize the law, under the
decision Of the court, holds the
motorist responsible if he does not
take precaution against the foolish as
we'll as against the reckless?
Here is the celebrated decision of
Justice Spear, better read it care
fully:
"A driver Of an automobile in the
public highways, constantly travelled
by pedestrians and teams, and &C.
cupied by children Of all ages, should,
TO establish due care, exercise so
high a degree Of diligence in observ-
ing the rights of foot passengers,
or teams. when approaching them,
as to enable him to control it, or
stop it if necessary, to avoid COL
lision, which cannot be Ogarded as
pure accident or due to con-
tributory negligence
But it may be claimed that this
rule of diligence renders the opera
ton of automobiles impraticabIe. IF
SO, let the business stop. They
should be required to do everything
that human agency can do to avoid
taking human .Iife# " s. + s. :: *But
the claim Of impraticability is not
we'll founded. Prudent drivers
neither kill children nor injure men,
except at very rare intervals, and
then only in cases of unavoidable
accident or contributory negligence"
That law has teeth in it. 1t ap-
plies to you as we'll as to me. 1t
expresses what is now rising in the
minds of men, something not unlike
that determination that alcohol
should not be permitted to ruin this
nation, rising slowly until suddenly
citizens cooperating, some at what
they consider a sacrifice.
They said STOP" to the liquor
business.
They will say stop to the automo-
bile business unless it reforms.
They will not tolerate the slaugh-
ter of the innocents on the Lords
day or on any other in the week
Put marker there.
If the operation of the automobile
with a care sufficiently diligent to
protect human life is impossible or
impracticable people will ultimately
say STOP"
One hears the remark that If the
sale Of liquor had been properly reg
ulated we should not have had pro-
hibition. Be that as it may the as
sumed regulation was a farce and
the public cried STOP"
Who doubts they will do likewise
with the automobile traffic unless II
may be so conducted that deaf.
tlind or foolish person or unwilling
child may step out OF the beaten
path without being killed?
The driver should have his car
under such control as to prevent
this. He will not have it under such
control if he he driving over twenty
five miles an hour. driving with poor
brakes, driving with his eyes off the
street or his thoughts elsewhere.
y mighty good suggestion made to
us is that the state should have a
copy of Justice Spears celebrated
decision accompany every license
that is granted. Have it printed in
clear, conspicuous type, with red ink.
1t the recipient hasn't brains
enough to be impressed by 1t the
conclusion that he hasn't enough to
be entitled 10 license will he in
tYitablo.
Commissioners Warren and Payne