Evening star., 1939-06-25
BE Alive on Fifth
is Safety Councils
Thought for Fourth
America Called Upon
To Avert Another
.NotionoI Catastrophe

A thought for the Fourth-"Be
alive on the fifth"
With these words, the National
.>Safety Council today called on
America to avert another national
catastrophe" by uniting in Ma
tion-wide effort to cut down the
annual Fourth of July accident toll.
If America chooses Independence
Day to stage another jamboree of
carelessness, thousands will be
killed or injured in homes, on the
beach and picnic grounds. Last
July, the council emphasized, 8,720
Americans were killed in accidents
more than twice as many as died in
the Revolutionary War.
Ironically, major part of the
July death toll comes from the cele-
-bration Of the independence gained
in that war. TRAFFIC crashes. drown
ings and fireworks are the chief in
struments OF death on this occa-
sion.
National Organizations Aid.
Many national organizations are
cooperating with the Safety Coun-
Gil In the Nationwide campaign.
stressing the Importance of driving
and walking more carefully, using
caution in swimming and preaching
against use of fireworks. The coun-
Gil also has enlisted the cooperation
and support of Governors of the 48
States, motor vehicle administra-
tors, heads of State highway patrols,
mayors and police chiefs.
Enthusiastic support of the drive
has been given by Secretary of
Commerce Hopkins.
The National Safety Council has
my whole-hearted support for its
campaign against the appalling July
accident toll" he said. THE num-
Der OF fatal accidents in July has
been reduced in recent years, but
we still have long way to 90 in
making July truly safe month
one whose holiday and vacation davs
will not be marred by tragedy that
can be prevented.
This calls for cooperation frors
every one-the driver and the pedes-
trian. 1t calls for thought and
consideration for the next fellow.
We can fight accidents as forcibly
as we do disease by removing the
causes"
= New Declaration of independence,
The Executive Committee of the
Safety Council said the things that
cause the annual mass slaughter
haste, self1shness. thoughtlessness
the desire to show off-can be con-
trolled.
I'VE call on America to stop this
midsummer massacre by signing a
new Declaration of Independence
independence from annual tribute
OF thousands of American lives
needlessly ed-independence
from the kind of celebration that
leaves us the dead and the sightless
and the suffering" the council said.
The council urges pastors to
preach an appeal for sanity and
temperance in all activities reIat-
ing to the Independence Day holi-
Gay and the summer vacation sea-
son and asks parents to caution
their children not to use fire.
works or explosives Every com
munity and State should pass laws
prohibiting sale of fireworks, the
council said.
A few facts well worth remem-
bering during the celebration: Last
July IL persons were killed eyery
hour every IL days of the
average July as many Americans
are killed by accidents as lost their
lives IN the Revolution one
fifth of all drownings occur in July
an average of rs people were
killed by falls in the home, at work,
or In the street every day during
July last wear.