The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-10-30
WAR URGED ON
''HIT-AND-.RUN'
AUTO DRIVER
American Automobile Asso-
citation Asks Motorists and
Motor Clubs % Act

Washington. d. c., Oct. 3O.-On its
own behalf and on behalf Of the SAG
clubs affiliated with It throughout
the country, the American Automo-
bile association today broadcast
strong appesl urging relentless war
fare On the "hit-and-run" drivers
sveFyWhere.
]. The appeal, which went out under
the name Of Thos. p. Henry, presi-
dent Of the A. A. A., WAS basod On
reports which show that this particu.
lar brand Of lawlessness and ceWardiee
has not received IN the past the at.
tention which It deserved. Hence the
need Of an organised campaign by
the motorists generally to do away
with this. species Of driver.
Mr.. Hcnry's statement pointed out
that the fact that in some cases Il Is
difficult to get ut the hit-and-run
driver is all the more reason why he
should DO dealt with In exemplary
fashion once the law gets hold Of
him..
Two WAYS 70 Heb
There are two ways" said Presi.
dent Henry. lin which members Of
the A. A. A., motorists generally and
other agencies can give invaluable
assistance In removing this blot 20
motordom, perhaps It's worst.
"The first, succinctly, 10 % actually
apprehend the hit-and-run driver, or
at least to give chase % that his
license number can be made available
Immediately to the police. Il often
happens that motorists who have an
opportunity. to perform this service
are more interested in seeing what
has happened to the victim Of the
accident than they are in capturing
the person responsible for Il.
"Club members and others, am
fisure, will be more than willing to do
their share in this respect. Such
movement already has been started
by many clubs affiliated with the
American Automobile association.
"The second way is more complex
and seems to require more than the
cooperation merely Of motorists. II
is the reduction Of this hysterical
practice by educating all drivers to
the utter, hopeless stupidity Of It.
Motor clubs and all other agencies
should take part in such an educa-
tional campaign.
Victim Of Fear
"The hit-and-run driver. from
psychologist perspective, in many
cases is pathetic figure. He is the
victim Of the worst Of al human
emotions-fear. His action undoubt-
eddy makes him criminal where his
ordinary impulse might Be toward
the very best in our civilization.
HE is the victim Of human
temptation. one that besets oil Of us
flee from trouble. Fortunately,
nj -
the temptation.
IA concerted campaign, l believe,
could do much to-show the hopeless
utility Of running away after an &C.
ident. Guilty or not guilty Of care.
,essness, negligence or infraction Of
the traffic laws, the minute the
,.river who figures In an accident
lees, the burden Of proof Of Ms in
nocence rests with him and he puts
himself in the worst possible position
before the Law. There 10. . tremen.
sous. assumption Of guilt that can not
10 allayed.
Motor Clubs SAealA Led
innocent, In . great many cases,
drivers 60 on daily. convicting them
selves by not having the courage to
face the difficulty into which they
have been thrown. II 10 time such
emotionally unstable persons were
taught the folly Of their actions.
motor clubs can take the lead
in this vital educational movement.
1t is ono in which other agencies will
cooperate heartily. Primarily It
seems the task Of organized automo.
bile ownership for the practice Is
enc that Is leaving an indelible scar
on the face of motordom.
II am confident that remarkable
results will be achieved once the A.
A. "A. local clubs set their shoulders
to the wheel"