The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-12-15
THE PEDESTRIAN
 AFORCOTTEN MAN
ROadways Sanded But Nothing ODne to Safe-
 guard the Walks

The following timely communica- uon has been issued from the office of the state highway commission.
 Like ammunition dumps in the war, the state highway department has deposited at strategic intervals along the Connecticut highway sys- tenn huge piles of sand, the ann intuition used in the departments annual warfare against dangerous ice conditions. These piles, es- tablished in October, hold 35,50O cubic yards of sand. Immediately after roads have been cleared fol- lowing a snow, the highway crews fill their trucks with this sand and begin spreading it on curves, hills, crossings, and, when neces- sary, even over whole roads to pro- tect motorists from the danger of skidding. Often, these sanding op- erations continue for days.
 Many who will read this com munication from the highway com mission will say that they wish this sand could be made available to the thousands of private citizens who are charged with keeping side- walks abutting on their property clear of ice and snow and sprinkled with sand, an article that is not ex- pensite is> not within reach of the people when it is needed. It is just as important that the walks be kept in proper condition for pedestrians as 1t is to have the roads safe for motorists. The only valid objection that could be made against this proposition is that some might use the sand for other purposes, but there is doubt about this. It is nothing anybody wants except at this season, but the absence of it is responsible for the slippery condition of walks in all parts of the city.
 Before oil came into use for heating in the home, there was an abundance of ashes which was used literally on walks during the win- ter. Even so, it was objectionable. Ashes lacks the cohesive qualities of sand, and in many instances rem ders a sidewalk more dangerous than if it was not used at all. It sticks to the feet of pedestrians, is tracked into homes and is the cause of many tilt between house. keepers and members of the fam fly. There is an abundance of sand in Waterbury, and probably in time, people will manage to :. have a stock of it on hand for use during the winter, but until the public gets educated up to this plan, it would be well to put the material within their reach. What is being done on the streets serves a good purpose for those who own cars, but it would be we'll to bear in mind that by far the larger number of people have to pick their steps over sidewalks and take chances of being seriously injured.
 Unless there is a structural de- feet in the walk, one cannot col- lect damages for fall, no matter how slippery the walk might be. This ought to be sufficient to show that the safety of the pedes- trian should enter into considera- ton of the officials.
 It is true that the law makes it an obligation on property owners to care for the sidewalks, but it is equally true that everybody does not observe the law and as a con- sequence many suffer much hard ships in getting to and from their places of employment during sev- ere winter weather. One may say that it uses up the police depart nlent 10 see that the law IS OD- served. This is true and an effort is made to see that the walks are cleaned and sanded. but regardless of the law it is no wild state- lnent that taking private citizens into court on charges of this kind is not popular, and the police do not do any more of it than they can help. and few blame them. The principal complaints against the police come from people who have no walks to clean or sand.
 Jonathan Swift wrote "Gulliver's