The Monmouth inquirer., 1924-08-21
SILzER APPROVES
DEFENSE TEST DAY
Governor in Proclamation Orders
Militia and Urges Citizens to
Prepare for Emergency.
DRUNKEN DRIVER A CURSE
"There Is No Greater Menace to Life
Than intoxicated Person at the
Wheel Of Car" Says DiiI--ln-
crease In the Last Year.

Trenton. reimbursement of the ac-
ton taken by President Coolidge and
the war department for defense
test on September IL, sixth anniver-
sary of the battle of st. Mihiel, is CIV
en- by Governor Silzer in proclama-
ton designating that occasion as De-
Tense Test Day and urging its observ-
ance as a means of informing citi-
zens and communities of the duties
required in the event of a national
emergency.
All citizens of military age are call
ed upon to assemble for appropriate
observance OF the day with a local
organization of the regular army, Ma
tional Guard or organized reserves,
and at the same time to pay tribute
to the men who participated in the
memorable engagement at st. Mihiel.
The proclamation follows:
Whereas, The President of the
United States having designated Fri
day, September IL, 1924, the sixth an
niversary of the battle of ST. Mihiel.
as day on which a defense test will
be made; and,
Whereas, 1t is imperative that
each citizen and every community be
informed in the duties that will be re-
CURED of each in case of national
emergency; and,
Whereas, 1t is of the highest Inn
portance that the patriotic spirit of
our people be maintained and the
propaganda of those who would leave
us defenseless in an emergency be
Offset; and,
Whereas, 1t is of the utmost i'm
portance that we shall always have in
mind the defense of our republic in
case of an emergency. and that we,
in such emergency, be properly pre-
pared to defend our country and our
homes; and,
whereas, There would be need
less waste of lives in time of an
emergency If we did not have plans
for mobilization and have them thor
oughly understood.
Now, therefore, l, George S. Silzer,
governor of the state of New Jersey,
do proclaim Friday, September IL,
1924, as Pefense Test Day, and do or
der the National Guard of the state
of New Jersey to participate in the
Defense Test as prescribed by the
war department
81 urge all citizens of military age
who are called upon by local commit
tees to indicate their Endorsement Of
the principle of service by assem-
bling for appropriate observance of
this day with local organization Of
the regular army, National Guard or
organized reserves, and also at that
time to pay tribute to the memory of
our gallant soldiers who participated
in the battle of ST. Mihiel
81 urge upon all citizens of the
state to cooperate with the military
authorities and patriotic societies in
fittingly carrying out the purposes Of
this day"
Drunken Driver Greatest Menace
can old subject that is always new
because of its troublesome, life en-
dangering and never end'T~ charac-
ter is that of the vital problem pre-
scented by persons who drink intoxi-
eating beverages and then, while in
drunken condition, operate motor We
hicles," declared Motor Vehicle Com
missioner William L. Dill in 4 discus
sion of recent fatal accidents in New
ark and other sections of New Jersey.
"Newark's recent Saturday night ex-
perience, when a father and son we're
instantly killed by an automobile
with a drunken driver at the wheel,
should arouse all your magistrates
and your police authorities to the
need for drastic action without fear
or favor, whenever or wherever a
drunken driver is encountered.
There is no greater menace to life,
limb and property than a drunken
person at the wheel of motor driven
vehicle on the streets or highways of
city, county and state. That fact can
not be driven home to the public at
large and to police and other authori-
ties with too much force. Every mag
istrate, every police prosecutor or
municipal counsel or attorney, every
pOlC6mdu, WuSlucT ne b0 q u dAhC cup
or otherwise, should cast aside his Of
fetal being and just as plain citizen
be ready at all times to fully perform
the duties of citizen whenever he
comes into contact with case of
drunken driver Official red tape has
no place in such a matter. Personal,
political or other influences have no
place there either. There is ample
law of a mandatory character. Des-
pite the personal views already held
by some officials, they have no discre-
ton in such cases. The law provides
Jail sentences. There is no legal al
tentative The supreme court has
upheld the law. 1t is not for some
minor magistrate or other official to
set himself up as superior in judg-
ment or knowledge of the law to the
highest judicial tribunal in the state.
when favoritism is shown. for
whatever reason, or when personal
views are permitted to prevail as
against the law in drunken driver
cases. aid and comfort are given to