New Britain herald., 1925-10-30
mobilize CHILDREN
IN SAFETY CRUSADE
Idea Of Caution 10 Be Implanted
in Future Citizens

Hartford, Oct, 3o--A definite plan
TO enlist the school children OF the
state In comprehensive move 10
cut down motor vehicle accident to-
tails at the same time awakening IN
these citizens OF tomorrow a keener
realization OF the traffic situation
that confronts them, as automobiles
on the highways continue 10 In
crease by leaps and bounds, was in
augurated In Hartford last night
Through Commissioner StoecRel,
who is a member and treasurer OF
the Hartley corporation, a Connec-
ticut body interested In educational
and charitable purposes, founded
and financed by Helen Hartley Jen-
kins OF Norfolk. who Is Its president,
a meeting OF the superintendent OF
schools, the principals OF both high
schools and all the district schools.
the chief OF police and head of the
police traffic squad, was held last
evening TO work out a plan to I'M
press upon the children and
through them. upon their parents
what requirements the evolution OF
modern traffic imposes upon them
both for their own safety and that
OF others. II the plan should prove
10 be successful in Hartford, as
those In charge OF 1t say they have
every reason TO expect It to be. 1t
will be extended to every city ana
school district throughout the state
II desired. Its purpose Is quite as
much to anticipate the more dill
cult problems expected to be en-
countered with the greatly Increased
traffic OF the future as 1t Is to cope
with the present conditions, as 70
che gravity OF which 1t is generally
conceded that the public is much
too indifferent.
The Hartley corporation has made
an appropriation to be used In con-
nection with the promotion Of GER
tain plans to benefit traffic. THESE
plans will be worked out In coopera'
ton with the state motor vehicle
department, and will follow lines O.
original endeavor worked W
through that agency Of the state.
Must Educate Public
The motor vehicle. department !!
convinced that the safety OF tn
public In this constantly increasing
stream OF traffic which even nov
chokes the main thoroughfares t.
the danger point. must lie largely II
the education of the public to a tru'
realization OF the extent TO which
the danger has grown. The auto
mobile has come to be such a IA
miliar object, available as 1t now j
to every second family. at least, an
the mysteries OF Its operation haN'
been revealed to so large a proper
ton OF the population, that In tn
accepted theory that It Is indispensi
bic In modern times, the people
generally speaking, have lost sigh
or It's tremendous destructive pow
ers.
Department observation has beer
In connection with the scores o
people who daily present themselNe
10 report accidents that It Is not Nm
I'll tragedy hits home" that mos
people stop TO consider the awfu
teality of the constant parade Q
newspaper headlines: "3oo Killed !
Auto Accidents Last Year: ~ IS
I,,, In, MAtnr Mich1YOC
1879: Small Girl Dies OF Auto 1r
iuries." etc.
Ono IN ~ In Accidents
The record for the hrst mir
months OF this year showed thu
one In every u motor vehicles ret
jstercd in Connecticut was involve
in some kind OF an accident. Thos
that we're serious no doubt serve
as warning to those involved.
indeed the results were not shockir
enough to leave their impress Il
delibly on their memories. The IA
that many who once figure In sligI
accidents come back later 10 repo
further accidents may be taken
indicate that the degree Of the mi
hap has much to do with its NOR
effect
The departments object Is
teach these lessons without the pa
OF experience. The work amor
adults will continue for the effe
on present-day conditions, but
looking into the future, 1t will u
dertake to prepare the children
understand. as they approach m
turity that a very real automohi
traffic problem--a new thing in hi
tory-exists which depends on {
public for its solution.
To this end the Hartley corpor
ton has furnished the motor vel
Gle department with facilities
take moving pictures OF typic
traffic scenes for reproduction In {
schools on the one hand and h
fore meetings OF adults, on {
other. The department is prepar
n furnish any school district
Connecticut with record OF It's a
cidents over any given period a
the conclusions as TO responsible
drawn from analysis Of them. II
convinced that much can be 4
complished. IN cooperation vi