The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-12-09
Silly Talk About Lessening
Number Of Motor Cars
in Washington
By BILL PRICE.

BY BILL PRICE.
The flood Of suggestions for reducing the large number Of
auto accidents in the District many Of them fatal
brought number that absolutely foolish and lacking
IN the merest common sense.
For instance take the editorial suggestions Of
paper looking esseng the number Of autos in use in the
District in which these thoughts advanced
washington st 5 Ts to- G.o1 s9e the
too motors here the by
these circumstances there one obvious remedy and that
to lessen the number Of motor in the Of the
TO accomplish this two suggestions are nut forward One
to bond all licensed drivers damages persons and
property The other to place restriction upon the hcens
ing Of motorists that only those who responsible
terms Of dollars and cents viii be granted permits
There are NOT too many motor in on the wide
and fine streets Of the District Of Columbia There are how
far too many careless irresponsible nconsderate
and who have operators permits and too little law
which severely Furnishes those repeatedly guilty Of violating
every existing law regulation right Of other people
What need instead Of decreasing the number of ma
chimes here legal that will reduce the number
drunken careless speeding drivers who cannot be made
to realize the enoy Of their ofenses against public vel
fare There woeul shortage Of legal personal response
by for accidents responsibility which should include
stiff jail sentences reyocal Of driving permits The
payment Of dollars does not bring back life that has been
snued out by careless speeder does not restore limb
that has been torn to pieces sugcay removed Bonding
that species Of relief which gives the victims or their
estates, monetary consideration.
What we need above all things strict drastic laws that
will prevent the great majority Of accidents and it Is
estimated by experts that 30 per cent avodabe
Is exercised The careless auto driver who KNOWS that he
must face the consequences Of his work in Jail and
probably permanent revocation of his license going
THINK he knows he has been bonded can salve the
feelings Of his victims with money from bonding company
he little than he when he has to
stiff collateral and then forfeit it without facing Judge
or jury
Unavoidable accidents will continue happen In spite
the great exercised by railroads putting only
responsible at the hroes of locomotives and safeguard
ing the routes Of trains by all modern safety devices and s
TENS railroad disasters continue but nevertheless railroads
do not put drunken half blind careless the throttle
Of engines.
And the District Of Columbia should not allow men or
Of that type to drive here Permits should be
issued only to people of character and responsibility not
confirmed criminals gashrowng bootleggers and lawdefy
ers generally the wrong people into possession Of
permits the law should authorize prompt revocation
These sort Of restrictions might temporarily reduce the
number Of machines in operation but that doubtful They
would have the effect Of bringing about Is per
not the auto that at fault the number machines
in operation here The automobile business necessity and
confrs more pleasure Americans than any other one thing
There is trying increase the financial burdens Of the
owners OF cars BY requiring heavy bonds The remedy in
DRASTIC PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY to the law which
VIII compel greater consideration for the rights Of others