Smyrna times., 1926-08-18
SAFETY ADVOCATES MEET TO
DEMAND SAFETY ON HIGHWAY
COMMITTEE ELECTS
G. Il. BRIDGHAM PRESIDENT
Governor, in Speech, Outlines Purpose
Of Conference; Urges Steps Taken
for Safety on the Highways

"a definite step in the direction of
forming permanent Governors Ad-
visory Committee on Street and High
way Safety was made at a meeting
presided over by Governor Robinson
in the Supreme Court Room Of the
State House at Dover yesterday af-
ternoon, with the election of perman-
ent officers for the committee. Carlton
I. Bridgham of Wilmington, who is
former president Of the Delaware
Safety Council was elected chairman,
and Walter Dent Smith, also of Will
mington, who is manager of the Del
aware Safety Council, was elected
secretary. Mr.. Rridgham Immediately
proceeded to appoint his committee
with the following results: Finance
Committee, Governor Robinson, H. H.
Hilyard, Kenton; David Morten, vii
mington; L. A. Drexler, Bethany
Beach, and Frank H. Poole, Middle
town. Acting on the governors adj
vice, for the appointment of seven
committees, the following chairmen
were appointed, the rest of the COM
mittee to be filled in later. Statistics
committee, Ray A. Rydgren; traffic
control, c. d. Buck; education, Mrs.
J. f. Cleaver; law enforcement, Frank
NJ. Jones, Georgetown; railroad grade
crossings, L. A. Drexler, Bethany
Beach; legislation, William F. Allen,
Seaford; public relations, Henry P.
Scott, Sr.; Wilmington; publicity, w.
F. Metten, secretary of the Del-Mar-
Va Press Association. 1t was decided
to hold another meeting Of the COM
mittee on September IA, in the Su-
preme Court room at Dover and to
hold the final conference meeting on
November - at place yet to be de
cided upon.
Governor Makes Address TO Body
In short address the governor out
lined the purpose Of the conference,
saying in part: II am reliably inform
ed that in Delaware last year, 81 met
death in traffic accidents and 615 re-
ceived serious injuries and together
with property damages from these &C
cidents represented a minium pure
economic waste Of at least half mil
lion dollars. Our traffic accident ex-
perience this year has even been less
favorable. Certainly this is a most
opportune time for Us to give very
serious consideration to the facts sur
rounding these accidents and means
to eradicate them. This advisory
committee, representative of the
twelve principal interests in this State
bearing on the problem should set up
seven working committees as follows:
Statistics, Traffic Control, Education,
Law Enforcement, Railroad grade
crossings, Legislation and Public Re
lations. These committees would give
very careful consideration to the re-
ports Of the two national conferences
and apply the national conclusions
where practical to our local situations.
Two OF three months should be allow
ed for this work and when the final re-
ports are drafted a large Statewide
conference or convention should be
held to put the conclusions into effect,
by reference with suitable recommen-
dations to the proper authorities.
All Citizens Are Urged to Cooperate
"If all will cooperate to the end
that Delaware, which has been first
in so many enterprises may be first
in the promotion of public safety
which is the object of this Confer
ence then there is no doubt as to the
result To this end you have my
very best wishes and pledge of hearty
cooperation in every possible way"