Evening star., 1935-12-18

Secretary Roper told several hun
dred national representatives attend
ing the conference that accident pre-
vention is local problem and must
be solved by the people themselves,
with the help of local governments
and organizations.
1T is not the purpose OF the Fed
eral Government through this con-
ference" he said, ito assume response
bility for accident prevention. That
still remains a local problem, but
the Federal Government stands ready
to give you every possible co-opera-
ton. Perhaps the National Govern
ment can best serve as a clearing
house for ideas. That remains for
you to determine.
The public must unite in an honest
effort to save the lives of its citizens
through co-ordinated carrying out Of
an intelligent plan"
All Types of Accidents.
Roper expressed the hope the con-
ference would deal with every type
Of preventable accident-in the home,
on the farm, in the factory, at sea,
on the streets and highways and in
the air.
He warned the Nation it can no
longer place monetary gain" ahead OF
human safety. The question before
the Nation, he said, is to manifest its
civilization and its right to rank as a
progressive nation, "by effectively
taking hold of and controlling this
monster"
"Those who effectively cooperate in
safeguarding at this point, those who
thus protect our country against the
reputation which it is getting for care
lessness, will prove themselves both
humane and truly patriotic" he said.
Safety education, Secretary Roper
told the conference, should start in the
home and should be made a part OF
every school curricula. 1t should be
continued in the church and at the
place of employment and should be
an-ever-present factor in the daily life
of every citizen, from the cradle to
the grave"
United States to Act Fearlessly."
He said the Federal Government
cannot assume national responsibility
for accident prevention. He promised,
however, that the Federal Government
will act ''impartially and fearleSsly
for the public good"
The time when one person or group
could serve selfish interests with one
hand and public safety with the other
Is past" he said. Public interest de-
nnands that all of us unite in an honest,
open effort to save lives. The Govern
ment will do its part"
He said he has received "a good
cross-section of public opinion on
safety"
First" he explained, "the public is
beginning to realize the overwhelming
nature of accidents and that there are
many distressing accidents elsewhere
than on the highways, that there are
accidents in industry and in homes
that are killing almost twice as many
persons yearly as on the highways"
He deplored the fact that motor car
deaths occupy most of the attention
of the public, and expressed the hope
that the conference will not go off
the path" to deal with the more spec
tacular highway accidents alone land
neglect the even greater toll in the
home and farm and place Of business"
Red Cross Pledges Support.
The conference was opened by Rear
Admiral Cary T. Grayson, chairman
of the American Red Cross, who
promised that his organization will
take an active part in the drive.
Today's meeting, Grayson said, rep
resents a pooling of interests for
frontal attack all along the line on
the first public enemy of America
ccidents-accidentS on the sea, in
the air, on the highway, in industry,
In the home and on the farm"
He said man has made great strides
In conquering disease and the death
toll from diseases. The menace of
accidents, however, he declared, does
not come from external enemies of
man, but is created and caused by
ourselves"
"There is no professional group like
the medical profession to whom we
can now say-this is your problem
and we look to you to solve it," he
said. "Only as each and every one
Of us participates in the attack on
this problem can we succeed. The
solution lies in self-education and
self discipline"
Following Secretary Roper's address
the conference broke up into II sep
arate sessions, each dealing with a
definite phase of the accident situa-
tion. These conferences all were held
in the Commerce Department Build
ing and were expected to continue
through the afternoon.
Among the conferees here today, in
addition to the official State delega-
tions from half of the States in the
Union, are representatives Of large
newspapers and magazines, nationally
known accident-prevention experts
and leaders of national organizations
interested in public health and safety.
RESORTS