Evening star., 1942-02-15

Naturally, Will lllc Loiiy aii'
overcrowding. with the thousands
OF new people coming to our city
every month, it was to be expected
that the traffic problem would be g
serious one. And 1t is serious; quite
definitely so. But it is one that
could be controlled if each adult cit
izen would take it on himself to
obey traffic rules, whether as an
automobile driver or a pedestrian.
For there are definite obligations
for each group of citizens, and until
and unless each recognizes and &C
cepts his responsibilities there will
be no satisfactory solution to the
trafic fatality problem.
Undoubtedly. as has been said
frequently of late, with the usual
wear and tear on cars, unchecked by
proper repairs. traffic hazards will
increase rather than decrease. Nat
urally, as the number OF cars lessons
on our streets the automobile traffic
question will in a measure be solved.
But In a city the size of Washing
ton, with all of its Importance In
the prosecution of the war effort,
there will be other modes of travel
devised, which will require our
streets for successful operation.
And If we as citizens of this great
city fail to recognize our own re-
sponsibility, there will be no lessen
Ing of the traffic accident record.
Fatalities Not Only Concern.
This traffic accident record Is not
concerned alone with fatalities,
though of course they make the
deepest impression upon us. am
} afraid we fail to realize how many
thousands of our citizens are IN
voIyed in traffic accidents In the
course of a year: how many are
permanently disabled or manned;
how many spend long and trying
days in hospitals, recuperating; how
heavy can be the financial burden
of such disqualification.
I am not prepared to state how
many of our traffic accidents have
been classed as preventable by au-
thorities investigating them. But
I am quite certain that the greater
number of them are How often do
we see people crossing streets at
places other than the cross-walks?
Crossing against red lights? Dash
ing out from between parked cars,
deliberately courting fate in the
form Of an approaching car? How
do these persons know that the
brakes of the oncoming cars are IN
good condition? How do they know
that the driver is not intoxicated?
How do they know that the driver
Is a responsible one?
Caution Urged Upon Drivers.
And on the other side of the
ledger. as an automobile driver pro-
ceeds through Washington's con-
eested streets how does he know
that a pedestrian will not dash out
from the curb, directly into the path
of his car? When approaching in
tersections, how does he know that
some person will not reach that
intersection at the same time that
he does? If he is in the habit OF
slowing his car when approaching
cross-walks not light or sign con-
trolled, then he has nothing to fear
from unexpected pedestrians, be-
cause he will have the car suffi-
ciently braked to be able to stop
within a minimum space.
II seems to us that the time Is
ripe to demand that traffic laws be
obeyed by both driver and pedes-
trian and that violation be properly
punished. Certainly individual lives
are something which cannot be re-
placed, and the least we can do Is
to accept individual responsibility
In protecting them.
At the meeting Of the Board OF
Managers on Tuesday it was de-
cided to contribute $25 to the Sol
diers. Sailors and Marines Club.
A nutrition leaflet." which is in
process of preparation by the
health department of the congress,
under the direction of Mrs. Lucian
Jordan, vice president, will be ready
for distribution to all schools within
the next two weeks.
Hine Junior High.
The association will meet Thurs
day at 8 pm. The teachers will
be in the classrooms from 7::30 to
8 pm. for conferences with the
parents. Founders day will be OBJ
served. A color picture will be
shown.
The homemaking class will meet
Thursday from 9 a m. to noon. Miss
Ruth Shelton will give a demon
stration on Foods and Nutrition"
Stuart Junior High.
The District of Columbia Con-
sress OF Parents and Teachers will
hold its Founders day program in
the school on Tuesday at 8 pm.
Part of the program will be en- orig
inal play written and produced by
Joseph Sorrell of the Stuart faculty.
The association will hold a busi-
ness session at 7:30 pm.
On Wednesday the association will
sponsor a moving picture show.
Langley JunlOr Hlgn'
An association meeting will be
held Tuesday at pm.
Mothers will meet at the Gales
School at 10 am. on February Is
to sew for student aid.
A tour of the school and a tea
were held for new parents Thurs
day.
At the executive meeting dona-
ton was made to the blood bank
and the State Student Aid Com
mittee.
Mckinley High.
A tour of the school for parents
of third-semester pupils will be
held February rs at l:3o p.m. Tea
will be served at 8 pm. Mrs. j. w.