The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-01-01
The Districts Bloody Auto
Record for 1924
Ry BILL PRICE.


glorious other achievements in the
District Columbia for the just closed the wonderful
growth Of CHS city, its still wonderful future in
spring to every citizen who has the good Of his beloved city
Ct heart.
Despite occasional revelations of the ugly dOngs Of
and do pride ourselves that the normal home
life this beautiful National City untanted with scandal or
shame On this record Of cleanliness and purity we invite
citizens nation here and live that their families
may be reared in atmosphere Of civic Righteousness and
good And our large growth in population is mainly from
here enjoy with their families the unusual privileges and
advantages be found this beautiful heart Of great
Materially and socially therefore, we have much be
proud Of look forward in this year Still we
have much correct that life here may be safer and more
enjoyable The record Of crime in the District in the past
year uninvtng Disregard of law has been rampant The
train Of evils that has with the ascendancy of the boot
logger has been shocking to those who always seek to obey
the laws of the land
THE fast SET 1.-The official set and those other sets
that have put the bootlegger upon pedestal directly
responsible for the spirit Of law defiance that prevails You
without the effect being felt all along the line Of crime
stronghold The criminal feels that there moral backing
behind him that viii protect him. The hearts and minds of
the criminal underworld rejoice to know that this that
9prominent citizen this that prominent Federal or
local official connves at defiance Of law the high class
laugh the law why the unthnkng depraved
man? And where the end Of all except in the continued
growth and the multiplication Of the human ee
rnents that regard all law with indifference?
The bloody record Of auto deaths and mamngs in this city
IN 1924 be traced back to growing disregard law
and rights still believe in law
and order and the courees due others Nearly 100 people
have killed the District in the past year. and hun
dreds sent hospitals their homes less seriously
injured High powered autos fitted with smoke and
loaded with lowgrade poisonous whisies have away
from officers Of the law whose faces they filled with poison
Gus gases Policemen have been wantony killed by these same
elements
Our newspapers almost daily carry stories telling Of more
auto killings and mamngs of hit andrun" motorists who
care little for knocking human beings that they don
even stop to lend helping hand to their cumed manged
victims - -
the sake Of the good of Washington for the safety
Of human life and for human freedom the the
1926 record must be improved cannot be done until Con-
gress passes drastic legislation that will put reckless drunken
drivers deliberate auto killers and all serious voators Of auto
and other laws behind prison bars The day Of smoothing
over these serious things BY court fines past Life not 50
cheap that It can be paid for by court fine.
Heavy prison sentences and prompt revocation Of driver
permits all untitled have them the best remedies for
the conditions that prevail.
Congress is well Of all this and it is to be hoped
that the committees of that body will with unusual
rapidty to pass the necessary laws.
When these laws in effect the responsibility will be upon
the police force and courts Of the District Our police have
been practically helpless They could and did make arrests but
what has this amounted when voaor could post collateral
and forfeit convicted in court get off with money
payments?
There be tightening against all criminals by the
police department. This city must not become welcome field
Tor murderer thugs robbers hodup gentry yeggmen and
others They must be given rough treatment they to
understand that Washington will not stand for this Of
thing Treating confirmed criminals with kid gloves ISM
going to help conditions It is about time that the police de-
parment studies up methods of its for sending Of
these people out Of the District by Of the vgante routes
Of the old West, if necessary.