Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-08
Bootlegging Seen
Growing With Bans

To the Editor OF The Star:
On the 5th of July the press &C.
counts of "the morning after the
night before" probably cause a great
number of thinking people to wonder
whether we are really sane in our at
tempt to be safe. Almost every city
in the United States has some restric-
ton against the use of fireworks on
the Fourth of July. The purpose be-
hind the restrictions is no doubt well
meant and intended to safeguard the
lives and health of the people, but the
total casualties of the day as we'll as
the casualties of all Sundays and holi-
days will no doubt prove that little
good is accomplished.
The idea of restricting and pro-
hibiting any harmful pastime might
be compared to removing a pimple
from the face of a person who has bad
blood without cleaning his blood. Other
eruptions will surely follow. The au-
tomobile has caused thousands of
deaths and countless injuries. Why
does not some one start a campaign
to eliminate the automobile? No per.
son with sound mind would suggest
such a thing. The automobile is a
useful carrying vehicle, but is used by
offset the danger to life and limb by
the careless use of the automobile a
continuous campaign is waged to edu-
cate the people to careful driving.
That, it seems, is the most sane
method of safeguarding the lives and
property of the people
No one seems to have thought of
educating the people in the handling
of fireworks. Take them away" has
been the cry of the adults who no
longer enjoy a package of firecrackers.
who have had their good time in years
gone by and who now only look upon
the danger and socalled waste Of
money.
The law has tried to take away alco-
holic beverages from the people, and
in the face of the good intentions of
the law the adults who can see no
fun in exploding a few packs of fire.
crackers are the first to become in
dignant and violate the law. Let the
law attempt to take away fathers
cigar or pipe and hear him rave.
There are many ways millions Of dol
lars spent daily for an instant of
pleasure or amusement and nothing is
said, but when the boy wants so cents
for fireworks it is a waste of money,
burning it. as it were.
Every Sunday and holiday has it's
big list of casualties and injuries All
due to carelessness. If the parents
would teach their children safety and
moderation in all things, would watch
their children as carefully as they
watch the S65 champion pedigreed dog
they pride. would take as good care
of their children as they do their new
car or radio. would take as much in
terest in the welfare of their children
as they do their business, less law and
restriction would be necessary and the
children would be ENJOYING good
old-fashioned Fourth with very few
casualties.
Why not an educational campaign
instead Of restriction? Let the churches
preach the duties of parenthood. Let
the schools teach safety and good
citizenship. If the parents of the Ma
ton realized their responsibility their
children. would be we'll taken care of.
The parent who raises the latch on
the gate SO that the little one cannot
open it will some day see the young
ster climb up on the gate and open it.
A few taps on the fingers will teach
the child obedience. and the latch can
stay in its place.
At the rate we are going. restricting
and prohibiting. hootlegging In all
fields Of amusement, recreation and
pastime will he u profitable business,
EDWARD n. JANSON.