Evening star., 1941-10-26
Obedience 10 Traffic
Rules Urged 10 Cut
D. T.. Death Toll
Drivers Not Exoneroted,
g Though IS Pct. Of Victims
Are Pedestrians
By MRS. P. c. ELLETT,
President D. c. Congress Of Parents

an appalling total. While we are
fully aware of the large increase in
Washington's population, those who
have come into the city are thor
oughly familiar with automobiles.
and it is no new pattern they have
been asked to follow. And surely
the residents of Washington must be
coenizant of the traffic rules.
SO it is almost unexplainable-this
mounting traffic death toll. Whether
it is due to carelessness on the part
of pedestrians or drivers, only the
most careful and thorough investi-
CATION can disclose. But in setting
the blame for an accident-nothing
Is accomplished except just that.
None of the suffering is abated;
none of the mental anguish is sub
tracted; if the accident has been
fatal one, life is not restored to the
victim.
- Were Pedestrians.
AS tbs is written. there have been
II traffic deaths so far this year
an average of more than 176 per
Nttk. htlll Vi ILLS told1 Of lldNt
pedestrians.
The statistical section of the Traf-
ic Bureau says that is about the
general average-almost IS per cent
of the traffic death victims are pc
destrians. Apparently. the fault lies
with the pedestrian. But even
though the fault may be placed
there the driver cannot be exon
Grated of all blame For the pedes-
trian is moving much slower than
the driver: he is using the streets
we'll within his rights, and the auto
mobile driver should recognize and
evaluate these facts.
Inconsiderate Drivers.
. Too often We are confronted bv
the driver who Jumps the traffic
lights who believes that stop"
signs are for the other fellow; who.
seemingly, has never heard Of the
trafflc regulation which requires a
driver to slow down at an inter-
section. Far too often we see the
driver who makes left turn. practi-
cally pushing pedestrians out of the
intersection, apparently unaware of
the ruling that pedestrian has the
right of way ct a crosswalk.
part of this nervous driving may
be due to the accelerated tempo
of our daily living a. the present
time, But surely no occc sion is so
important that the life Of an inno-
cent person must be snUffed out by
the wheels of an automobile.
So may we not give little more
consideration to obedience to traffc
rules? May we not be just a little
more tolerant Of the slow-moving
pedestrian. who, perhaps, cannot
hurry? Let us try to stop this
senseless slaughter.
The psychology classes for parents,
organized and sponsored last year by
Mrs. Florence H. Rogers. supervising
principal of the 9th division, District
IF Columbia public schools. will be
resumed for all who are interested
in the problems of childhood and
youth. The course will be COM
pf 7cQ or 10 lectures.
Dr.. Jesse Sprowls, professor Of
Psychology of Maryland University.
will conduct the classes which will
begin tomorrow at the Kingsman
School, Fourteenth and E streets
NE. from 1:30 to pm.
The cost of these lectures will be
50 for the entire course, part Ct
which can be paid upon registration
on October n at pm.
All who complete this entire course
will be awarded a certificate from
Maryland University. Fifty-f1ve par
ents received this award last year.
Grant -Weightman.
The Executive Board will meet No
vember at 2 pm. at the Weight
man School.
Emery lexington.
The association has chosen "Edu-
cation for National Defense IN the
Heme and School" as its theme for
the year.
The association met october l3.
The following chairmen were ap-
pointed: Miss A. Crook, program;
Mrs. T. E. Baker. ways and means:
Mrs. Elsie Morrison, hospitality;
Mrs. w. E. Lawrence. safety: Mrs.
r. Colson, membership; Mrs. S.
Beeacham. grade mothers; Mrs. S.
Peel. Mrs J. F. Smith, summer
roundup; Mrs. Wilson Jambreny,
corresponding secretary; Mrs. j. M.
Sine, historian; Mrs. T. A. Phillips,
student aid; Mrs. F. S. Sinnervald.
notices: Mrs j. A Larsen. publicity:
Mrs. James Parker, publications;
Mrs. E. Pond. scrapbook Mrs. Will
son George. movie; Mrs. D. Bentley,
radio.
Powell Junior High.
The association will meet Tuesday
at 8 pm. L. T. Walters, principal,
will answer questions from the par
ents A reception will follow.
Powell Elementary.
"A Halloween carnival for young
and old will be held Friday from
$50 to 10 pm Refreshments will
be sold and entertainment provided.
Langley Junior High.
A meeting will be held Tuesday
1T 8 pm. A motion picture. taken
by Edwin j. Uhthoff. of activities at
the student aid headquarters in the
Gale School will be shown. A social
will follow
A bake sale Is planned for No.
vember g.
Truesdeu.
A meeting will be held Tuesday at
opm. A motion picture. The Men
OF the F. B. L." and a musical pro-
gram will be presented.
The following chairmen and asso-
sciate chairmen have been appointed:
Mrs. Arvin M. Groves, grade moth
.ers: Mrs. Ernest J. Robinson. asso-
.ciate; Miss Sarah Morris, historian;
Mrs. Perry C. Behrens, hospitality;
Mrs. Carl R. Vanlowe. associate:
mrs. r. D Moss, legislation; Mrs. H.
C. Travis, library, Mrs. S. Zinna-
umon, associate: Mrs. Ruth Goodwin,
membership; Mrs. Grino Simi. asso-
:ciate; C. R. Dennis, program; Mrs.
C. r.. Dennis. Mrs. M. Haskins, as
H.