The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-08-29
Blood Pressure in Auto Drivers
. Tests New ArmOry for
D. G.. GuardSmen
By BILL PRICE

In tightening up mental and physical requirements for
applicants permits operate automobiles in the District
the Director of Traffic sensby rejected the
ton of the police surgeon that the blood OF persons
above forty years age should be subjected to careful tests
short time ago prominent vrginan died suddenly at
the wheel of his while operating in this city and there
was collision the unnamed could be stopped
heart trouble and yet not proposed
deprive those suffering from heart disease Of the right
operate
None of us forsee the requirements for driving
will come to after awhile but 1t IS not well TO Degn
with tests The tests demanded apparently
sufficient partly safeguard the public against auto fools
running amuck in this city they are properly enforced
most of rash foohardy
and women, lacking in every sense OF responsibility
They mostly young white and coored men who willingly
any of without thought
sequences will them any day. thrustng their
breaneck speed through congesed traffic and laughing
their hoggng the right of IN violating
regulation without detection. They morally,
if not mentally Irresponsible and the many of them
deprived operators permits the better it will be for
the community
High blood pressure presents element of danger &C
compand by hardening of the arteries development that
with increasing human beings The combina
on while not often present in people under forty
of age frequently found among comparatively young people
We often read that some prominent man dropped dead
from apopexy or found dead in bed from the same
brain and quick ending The attack might while
person driving an automobile especially exciting CON
dons by the driver But fortunately
don't often hear of deaths under these circumstances
we took away from everybody with abnormal blood
right to operate automobile there would be huge number
of people prevented from driving This would be unfair
deprivation nasmuch large percentage of suffer
ing from high blood live many useful years and
may under diet and directions of physician reduce the
pressure to normal
In these modern days working under high tension high
blood pressure expected Business and professional
noted for high The medical profession has become
SO skilled however that they quickly reduce blood
by compelling patients to diet and let in hard work
and bad habits.
The District National Guard is having most successful
summer encampmen and its members will their civic
duties greatly benefited in health and improved in military
fitness.
This which has long stood foremost among the
counr national guard is not given the support deserves
this city Congress has been negligent of its needs and has
tailed TO give it the encouragement it shouldhave
The District National Guard has small and inadequate
sror en- street. and for has used the old Con-
vention Hall for its drills That hail. large enough for drill
purposes is being reftted for other activities and
local guard will be deprived of drill hall this winter
IS hardship which should be corrected
Winter drills will have to take place in the streets adjacent
to the amory and traffic will be stopped on these
streets. The weather will often conflict with street drilling
and the guardsmen will be stopped from doing work that
important.
Congress should longer piddle with question of
modern armory and drill hall for the District guard should
make provision for update amory without loss of time