Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-11-29
BY MRS. p. c. ELLETT.

- All Washington stands appalled,
at the mounting death toll resulting
from traffic accidents. That more
than 100 persons, for the most part
engaged In peaceful pursuits, should
lose their lives on the streets of the
Nations Capital in less than year
is q terrible indictment of pedes-
TRANS and drivers alike.
In report sent out from the
Traffic Department of the District
of Columbia Police Department, the
figures show that of 100 deaths, up
to November %, 10 were pedestrians,
and 81 of these were killed crossing
between intersections. OF the 10
pedestrians killed, records show that
81 failed to take adequate precau-
tions for their own safety.
School Patrols Helpful.
Before the boy patrols were Or
eanized as school safety officers,
there were many accidents to school
children and many deaths. Since
this splendid organization has been
functioning accidents to school
children have declined steadily dur
Ing school hours and for a reason
able length of time after dismissal.
Much of the credit for this record
must, of course, be given to these
"iunior policemen" But there has
been steady system of education
in the public schools of the coun-
try, whereby pupils have been made
traffic conscious, and if one is very
observant, one readily sees that
youngsters are much more careful
In crossing streets than are their
elders.
We are all aware of the eXcep-
tfonal conditions under which we are
living at present. There is scarcely
one among us who Is not under more
or less of a strain. Our days have
been accelerated to the point where
one work day is almost meeting up
with another, considering the regu-
lar hours of employment and the
that war activity. AS a result, peo-
pie are perhaps less careful than
usual. Perhaps their thoughts are
occupied with many things other
than the almost mechanical process
of crossing the street. But personal
safety is a very vital necessity in
these strenuous times. for accidental
hurt-even where the injury is not
fatal-may slow up some important
part Of the war effort and postpone
by Just so much the final victory.
Danger in Carelessness.
1t is a great temptation, when one
is hurrying from one place to an
other. to attempt to cross the street
at the nearest point. 1t is a decided
nuisance to have to walk half a
block back again to reach a certain
objective But however great the
inconvenience, 1t cannot approach
the disastrous results that ensue
II one forgets the dangers and
unthinkingly dashes out between
parked cars into the path of an
oncoming automobile or streetcar.
No matter how perfect brakes may
be, there Is minimum stopping
distance, however slow the speed.
And that minimum may be too great
to avoid accident.
AS I see it, the responsibility for
reducing this appalling traffic toll is
individual. Each person must be
responsible for himself or herself.
Each citizen should consider it his
or her patriotic duty to observe
ordinary safety precautions. and
should feel it an obligation to pre-
vent, so far as is humanity possible,
accident or injury to any other
person.
All plans for the sixth annual
George Washington University Par
ent-Teacher Institute have been
completed.
Special interest is being shown in
the talk to be given by Lady E. D.
Simon of Manchester, England, on
Wartime Juvenile Delinquency
Problems In England" 1t is we'll
known that Washington is expert
encing many such problems and
parents are eager to learn what
England has done to solve some of
them. On the American side, Capt.
Rhoda Milliken, chief of the Wom-
ans Division. Metropolitan Police.
will speak on Wartime Juvenile
Delinquency in Washington" and
undoubtedly the story she will tell
will be an eye-opener.
Other interesting topics to be dis
eussed include The High School
Victory Corps" THE Wars Effect
Upon Colleges Homes Face Their
Greatest Challenge" Current Spir-
itual Needs" and others of like i'm
portance.
The sessions will be held from 10
Am. to 1890 pm. and 1870 to $3.50
pm. each OF the two days, Deem
Der l and 2, in Room 102, Hall of
Government, the George Washing
hon University. Twenty-frst and G
streets NV. Any one interested is
invited to attend any or all of the
SESSIONS, one nominal fee admitting
10 all.
Mrs. John Allison, president of the
Jefferson Junior High School P-TA,
has been appointed State chairman
Of the Honor Roll Committee.
Kenilworth
At the Executive Board meeting
on Tuesday Mrs. Joseph Taylor,
membership chairman. announced
\ 100 per cent teacher enrolment
during the recent drive.
Nutrition" will be the topic dis
eussed at the meeting Wednesday
at 80 pm. A stocking shower and
tea will be held for benefit of student
work.
Ketcham-V Van Buren,.
Mrs. Donald Dixon, study group
Uhafman, announces the group will
meet tomorrow from l to pm. in
keteham. Home Sewing-the Art
Of Making Old Clothes Into New"
will be the topic.
Mrs. E. Moeller, membership
chairman, has received 100 per cent
teacher enrolment and 400 parents