Evening star., 1938-08-12
Safety
Continued From First Page.)

replied that the extreme youth Of the
victims indicated large responsibility
rests with the parents.
DO you think the parents are
responsible for the safety of children
under 3 or years of age?" the
Commissioner asked.
"Yes," was the reply children
that young have no place on play
grounds and are scarcely able to real
ize the danger OF automobile traf1c.
The Police Department is trying to
take up where the parents leave of.
Our patrolmen are under orders to
keep a sharp lookout for young chill
dren on the streets and to return
them to the parents with an appro-
pirate warning whenever the necessity
arises"
Juvenile Toll Doubled.
Maj. Brown said that. in his opinion,
too many adults are usurping play
ground facilities.
Mr. Eldridge analyzed the is child
fatalities which have occurred since
January l, doubling the juvenile
death toll for the same period last
year.
He said three of the children killed
were under 2 years of age, two were
under 3. three were under 4, two were
under S, three were under and two
were under nine.
With regard to the last % children
killed, Mr. Eldridge said coroners
juries returned verdicts of accidental
deaths in II cases. Five drivers, he
said, were held under the negligent
homicide act, and one was held for
grand jury action. He said Police
Court juries returned three not guilty
verdicts in negligent homicide cases.
Mr.. Eldridge pointed out that 81
of the children were pedestrians and
many fatalities resulted when the
young victims either ran suddenly
across street or darted from between
parked automobiles. Our slogan for
this campaign should be, Don't run:
walk" Mr. Eldridge said. He declared
the fact that only three drivers were
held responsible in the child fatali-
ties indicated that parents should
assume more responsibility in instruct
ing and supervising young children.
Urges Attractive Sites.
Miss Sibyl Baker, District play
ground director, said children should
not be allowed to play in the streets,
even when they are roped of. She
stressed the need for beautifying the
Fairgrounds and improving the amuse-
ment facilities to make them attrac-
tive for children.
Mrs. Elizabeth K. Peoples, play
ground supervisor for the Community
Center Department, stressed the need
for = safety educational program
which would be continuing She said
this might be carried out through the
police safety councillors who supervise
schoolboy patrols near the Fairgrounds
and through citizens associations and
PIT. A. groups.
Mr.. Barrett questioned the theory
the deaths could have been reduced
by more Fairgrounds. He said the
real need lay in improvement of the
Fairgrounds already in operation.
Gen. Cox said he thought much
could be accomplished in safety edu-
cation with the aid of guardsmen and
organized service Reserve organiza-
tons.
DR.. Gosling declared the public
schools would cooperate actively in a
safety educational campaign to keep
public interest alive.
Asks Shower Attachments.
A spokesman for the w. P. A. rec
commended that from 500 to 1000
shower attachments be provided at
Fairgrounds which do not have wading
pools.
Mr.. Carruthers, speaking as q grand
father, declared he was convinced
parents should assume more RESPONSE
bility for their children. He expressed
the conviction that most child fatal
tiles could be attributed to maternal
negligence.
Mr.. Cleveland told the meeting that
many large cities have successfully de-
veloped small Fairgrounds in the yards
of private residences. He added it
might be good idea to encourage
these Fairgrounds and give prizes for
those most attractive to children Mr..
Keneipp recommended that all school
play yards and Fairgrounds be thrown
open to children, whether or not they
can be provided with supervisors.
Asked II he thought a strict system