The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-11-26
NEWSPAPERS OPINION
jUsT ONE LITTLE DRINK

The cup that cheers may add to the convlvlahty
Of hale fellows we'll met but it doesn't contribute
to the safety of our highways. ....
Even the contention that just one little drink
can't do one any HARM has been exploded IN tn'S
day of fast-moving motor cars when the man DC
hind the whee must keep clear head and be ever
vigilant
CAPTAIN Charles D. Farmer, of the North Caro-
lima highway patrol, has caused considerable COM
ment within the past few days by his declaration
that 'Hooch Hurry, and Hugging" are the Three
H's which constitute the worst highway hazards
And the worst of these is Hootch, because VeFy
Frequently it exaggerates the recklessness of Hurry
and stimulates the Hugging urge.
The fact that single shot Of hootch slows down
the efficiency of the brain of the motorst who
REQUIRES mental alertness above everything else,
has been definitely proved by laboratory expert
ments recently carried on at Temple University
Philadelphia Dean Everett Kendig, who had
charge of this bit of scientific research which is
vitality important to the American public right
now at time when we face the necessity of max
ing our roads more safe for travel, asserts that
one drink enormously increases the probabilities
of an accident" He further explains:
time the eye begins to record an object which has
come into the range of vision until the impulse is
transferred down the nerves to muscle and de-
nands action, such turning the wheel OF apply
ing the brakes, one-ffth of second, under nor
NAL conditions, has elapsed.
1.-THE experiments further show that the drink
ing of even moderate amount of alcohol will so
slow up the transmission of these impulses that
the. elapsed time doubles or trebles.
can automobile travelling at the legal rate of
forty miles an hour moves forward about twelve
feet every one-ffth of second. One drink of
whisky or one pint of beer will increase the
elapsed time from the eye to the wheel or brakes
up to as much as four-ffths OF second
If the time is increased just two-ffths of a sec
ond the car travels twenty-four feet further than
normal expectation before you start to apply the
brakes. Therefore, if a child suddenly runs into
the road, the driver who has had drink is much
more likely to have an accident than is non
drinker'
In this connection, it is important to note that
Dean Kendig has also spent some time studying
| the automobile accident records in Pennsylvania
for the past nine months He finds in that period
there was an increase of SO per cent in automo-
bile accidents in the Keystone state in which
: liquor was contributing factor.
Thus, it is evident that the legalzation of booze
! has not improved conditions, for Pennsylvania Is
a wet stronghold and the repealists should have
been able to demonstrate there, if any place, the
soundness of their argument that controlled traf-
=. fc in intoxicants tends towards true temperance
1t is evident, also, that here in our own state
where we are still supposed to have prohibition,
I
forcement and popular disregard for law.
! The entire problem in last analysis, rests with
the American people, who must be brought to
realize their responsibility individuals In addi-
ton, our courts throughout the land will be COM
PEELED to take more drastic and uncompromising
attitude in melting out punishment to those who
persist in mixing their hootch with their gasoline
Hickory Record