Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-05-24
A.A.A. TOEXPAND
SAFETY PROGRAM
instruction Will, Be Given
Prospective Drivers in
High Schools.


Safety education in the high schools
for prospective drivers to eliminate
tine dangerous age bracket respon-
sible for a large proportion of traffic
accidents, is on the program of the
American Automobile Association for
this Fall, Thomas P. Henry of Detroit,
association president, announced at
the close of the colorful parade OF
74o0 school safety patrol leaders here
yesterday
Headed by the white-uniformed
Navy Band, District officials, and their
own honor medal division. the boys
and girls dressed in bright uniforms
and carrying banners inscribed with
safety slogans, marched up Constitu-
ton avenue from Sixth street to the
reviewing stand opposite the Washing
ton Monument to conclude a two-day
conference at which Is States we're
represented.
Marchers Hear Plan.
Henry'S announcement came after
the narchers, more than 5000 of
whom came from cities from Portland,
Me-, to Jacksonville. Fla, and as far
West as st. Louis. had passed in re-
view and were assembled to witness
the award of 20 honor medals and
the finals of the competitive drill.
The safety program which was
started by the A. A. A. to cut down
accidents among children of school
age, has been highly successful and is
responsible for the decrease in acct.
dents In this age group while the ac-
cident toll in all ether age groups is
increasing" Henry pointed out.
ITO widen the scope of our educa-
tional work and bring the lesson of
safety to another class, the A "A. A.
is now making plans to extend its &C.
Invites to the high school to give in
struction to drivers. The program will
be ready to launch in the Fall"
Traf1c records show drivers from is
TO Is are more frequently involved in
automobile accidents than any other
age bracket. BY intoxicating habits of
safety in driving as follow-up course
to the educational work now carried
on with younger boys and girls the
trafic toll could be cut further, it was
pointed out. Driving instructions in
nigh school would be given just as the
boys and girls are reaching the mini
mum age limit for drivers, it was
stressed.
Many Witness Parade.
Thousands of Washingtonians
stopped to watch as the patrol leaders
cllmaxed a year of unspectacular
work guarding the lives of school chill
dren throughout the country with a
spectacular display. Down a lane of
blue-coated policemen they have
learned to regard as their friends in
promoting safety. and two banks of
interested spectators which included
many mothers and fathers, the boys
and girls in uniforms carrying out
their school colors marched in even
ranks and files, heads erect. shoulders
back and arms swinging IN cadence.
Eyes were turned right as the column
passed the reviewing stand where
Commissioners Allen and Hazen, DR..
John w. Studebaker, commissioner of
education; DR.. Frank w. Ballou, Dis
trict school superintendent; Mrs.
Henry Grattan Doyle, president of
the District Board of Education; Po-
lice Superintendent Ernest w. Brown
and host of others interested in the
safety movement for children, we're
seated. A dozen floats and % bands
lent color and music to the demon.
Stration.
Medals Are Presented.
Following the parade, Commissioner
Allen, who was grand marshal of the
parade. presented honor medals to 40
patrol leaders from the various dele
cations, including 20 to members of
District patrols, for courageous acts
in saving lives of school children In
line of duty.
The District medal winners we're:
Jack Mettee, Henry School; Clarence
Sranham, Thompson School; Wallace
Inman, Benning School; Arthur Young
and Sherman Harp, Emory School;
Semon Witt, Adams School; Bernard
Gittleson, Grant School; Richard
Stakes, West School; Donald Fitz-
gerald, Kenilworth; Joe De Simone,
Hine Junior High School; Victor
Hennige. Congress Heights School;
Marshall Emmert, Weightman School;
Stanford Himmerfarb and James
Daras. Gales School; Dick Williams,
Janney School; john L. Baker, Wal
ZACH School; Stanley Anderson, Lang
ston School; Fred Harb, Greenleaf;
Joseph L. Smith, Cook School, and
Benjamin Jenkins. Slater School.
The program ended with a COMPETE
tive drill between three teams which
had survived the morning elimina-
ton tournament. The teams, all from
Pennsylvania, we're judged as they
gave 15-minute demonstration of
intricate movements before the Army
ofdcers judging their efforts, Brig.
Gen. c. D. Roberts and Capt. A. s.
Campbell.
First place went to a boys team
from the Pottstown High School; Sec
ond to a girls team from Sellersville-
Perkasie High School, and third to the
Reading High School team.