Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-20
E[DR|DCE TO FIGHT
CH|LDREN'S PER|LS
Traffic Director Seeks School
and Home Cooperation in
Educational Drive.

With the cooperation ~ puhilc
school authorities and parent-teacher
organizations. Director Of Traftc NJ.
o. Eldridge plans TO wage concerted
and intensive safety educational cam
paiGn this year. with the hope that II
will result in substantial reduction
i'm traffic mortality among children
of Washington.
Eight cen deaths from traffic acct
dents among children In 1928. viz
tually all of them due to carelessness
on their part. according to coSoner =
iuries, have convinced the traIlc di-
rector that with the aid of school Of
tcials and teachers as we'll a. parents
in repea eddy stressins the hazards
of street playing. traffic fatalities VIII
he reduced materially, in 1925.
The fact that Il OF the children
killed were boys. Mr.. Eldridge points
out. shows especially the need OF ef
faCtive educational measures To curb
street playing. Girls play with dolls
and engage in games which do not
force them into the streets. Mr.. FL
bridge said, and are therefore not as
susceptible 10 ira ffic accidents a. boys.
Death Comes In Play
IN ANALYSIS 81 the traffic mortality
statistics among children of the Dis
number, IL. were killed by automo-
hileS between street intersections. Al
though lacking details describing the
nature OF the accidents. Mr.. E,ldridSe
assumes that the Majority OF them
occurred while the victims were at
play. One death. however, WAS caus-
ed by boy who pushed his playmate
off the sidewalk into the path OF
fast moving automobile.
Oh ha
the largest number OF accidents TO
children during the year occurred in
the Summer months while schools
were closed. indicating. he said. that
the influence of the home and the
school play an important part in re-
ducins ira file mortality among iuve-
niles. The largest number OF acci-
dents the figures show happened be
tween and pm. None occurred
after that hour, when children were
off the streets.
Another interesting phase OF Mr.
EldridSes statistics indicate that : OF
the Is ira ffic fatalities were among
children ) years of age. Three were
II years old and two 6, while there
were no accidents among children he
tween u and 10.
Director Eldridge pointed out that
the schools are cooperating with him
for observing traffic regulations. and
that he looks for material assistance
from parent-tea cher associations.
mothers clubs and other similar
ganiza lions interested In child welfare.
Plan SchOOlbOy Patrol.
b. W. Murch. chairman of the
school safety committee. today named
a committee of three 20 Investigate
the pra ctica billtN of organizing
schoolboy patrol In the city to regu-
late traffic. as is being done success
fully in other cities. The committee
follows: Miss Alice Deal OF the Co
lumbia Junior High School. Mary
I-ackey. principal of the Dennison
School. and W. l.. Smith. principal
of the Dunbar Hign School.
The naming of the committee toda V
by Chairman Murch resulted from an
address before the school 81 fety work
ers at the Fra nklin School resterday
by NJ. O. Eldridge. director OF ira nc.
Mr.. Murch stated today that his
committee has practically been given
assure nee by c. F. Clark assista nj
manager OF the American Automo-
bile Associa ton that the associa ton
would fna nee the purchase of belts for
The Washington schoolbovs. as we'll as
find means of financing other safety
activities essential in the local schools