Smyrna times., 1926-09-08
CLAYTON
Budget of News Gathered Here and
There Of Eeighborh0od Interest

1ACAG U1 AAtSNA~Sk
Clayton again took off honors We'd
nesday when they were awarded two
prizes at Delaware City-$20 in gold
for "best appearance in line" and the
prize for coming the longest distance.
They were contestants over six COM
peting companies which was a brilli-
ant affair witnessed by 10000 or more
people. Never was Delaware City
crowded with more automobiles. Clay
ton was also awarded the silver cup
for coming" the longest distance"
at the firemen's parade at Easton, Md.
Thursday night.
J. r. Clements, Clayton, has sold to
John c. Walker, Kenton, a property
on Main street, Kenton.
John 7. Sweeney, of Tampa, Fla,
who has been summering at Clayton,
was a visitor to Townsend last week.
O. H. Ford of this town, was lucky
an Wednesday night. He won the
handsome Nash advanced six Sedan
given away by the Smyrna Firemen
at their carnival.
Despite some % fatal grade cross
AhS dINANCALS III lIGIdWdI6 So ldI ILLS
year many people do not realize that
the most dangerous hazard known to
motor vehicle traffic from the stand
point of serious injury and death is
the railroad grade crossing according
to Newlin 7. Booth, president of the
Delaware Safety Council. The reason
is obvious according to Mr.. Booth who
says: whenever a collision occurs at
such a place the motor vehicle and
its passengers invariably get the
worst of it. 1t is surprising the num-
Der of intelligent people who contest
the right Of way at railroad grade
crossings despite the greater weight
of the locomotive and the great ease
with which the motor vehicle may be
brought under control. The very pres
ence of railroad track is a danger
signal. The operator cannot afford to
relax his caution or to depend on
signals visible or audible to warn him
of the trains approach. Too many
motorists make the frequent fatal
mistake of misjudging the speed of
the on-rushing train. The attempt to
beat the train is not always fatal to
be sure, but it is the acme of fool
hardness and it is the cause of great
wear and tear on the lives of railroad
engineers to say nothing of the
breathless moments for the passengers
in the automobile" Mr.. Booth is Of
the opinion that all automobile acci-
dents including thoose at grade cross
ings would be appreciably reduced
provided operators were licensed Sc
lectively; that is, some standard of
physical, mental and moral fitness to
be set up before the individual is IL
censed to drive thru the public streets
and highways. One of our fatal rail
road accidents this year may be di-
rectly attributed to the unftness Of
the driver Of the car who could neither
read nor write consequently driving
past a flashing signal light and q
safety island on to a well protected
track on March 19 of this year, with
consequent fatal injury to a passenger
in his car. "Let every automobiles
realize that 435 grade crossings il
this State are potential accident haz-
ards and use all Of his intelligence
eyesight and hearing in addition Il
the protection provided in order thai
he may cross safely" said Mr.. Booth
Attempting to beat the train to tht
crossing is also one of the bad prac
tices which frequently results in ia
talities. A driver may be successful
in this effort for few times and ac
quire the habit which sooner or late
will result disastrously. All grade
crossings should be approached Will
the car under close speed control anC
if there is the slightest doubt abou
the approach of train a full stop j!
advisable"
Miss Marion Cain has been tht
guest of Miss Helen Cobb in Clayton
Mr.. and Mrs William H. Smith ant
sons Paul A. and Ivan o., were de
lightfully entertained over the week
end by Mr.. and Mrs. William H. Wal
ton and family of Burlington, New
Jersey at their bungalow, "'The Wal
tom, in Seaside Park, where the Wal
tons have been sojourning. All re
turned to their homes Monday after
noon. The Smiths also called on Mr.
and Mrs. ]. j. Walton of EdgewateI
Park, and Mr.. and Mrs. R. Waltol
Smith in Beverly.