Accidents occur

Protection from Accidents and Violence. everywhere on the highways, in the homes, in the factories, on the railroads, and on the farms. In the nineteen months we were at war, 50,000 American soldiers were killed, and 200,000 injured in action at the front. At home in peaceful America during that same period, 126,000 men, women, and children were killed, and 2,000,000 injured by accidents on the streets, in industries, and in the homes.

A foolhardy automobile driver who did not know that the railroad track curved across the road.

We in the United States have the reputation of being the most careless nation in the world so far as industrial accidents are concerned. Reasons may be offered to justify such a situation, but none are adequate. The annual accident death rate for the United States is seventy-six fatalities for each one hundred thousand of our population. This is almost two and one-third times the accident rate in England. Three fourths of these accidents are preventable. The money cost of these accidents we can save for more useful purposes by taking steps to prevent them.

With the invention of the modern methods of transpor

tation-trains, automobiles, motorcycles, and trolleystraffic problems have arisen. Cities have increased not only in size but in commercial importance. Each new business has meant more traffic to be handled. Streets which once were wide enough for the old-fashioned horsedriven vehicles do not allow the big trucks of today to pass

Quick attention often keeps minor injuries from developing into something more serious.

with ease. Pedestrians are forced to be constantly alert; for these swift-moving vehicles in the hands of reckless or intoxicated drivers prove a menace to life. Therefore traffic rules have been passed by the legislative bodies of cities and states.

These laws vary somewhat in the different states. Sometimes accidents occur through the ignorance of visiting motorists. Steps have recently been taken to reorganize

these laws into uniform rules which will better safeguard life because all motorists will be observing the same traffic rules.

Towns and cities also see that overhanging signs are securely fastened, that they may not fall on passers-by or on property below; or, better still, such signs are prohibited. Billboards must be regulated to reduce dangers from fire and from wind. Rules must control the placing of overhead wires. Large cities require telephone, telegraph, and electric wires to be placed underground, at least in the central part of the city. Railroad crossings need special protection. Murders and robberies must be guarded against. In the large cities police patrol the streets in automobiles, heavily armed and ordered to "shoot to kill." Half of the city

ordinances which are enforced daily attempt to prevent and prohibit such dangers as these.

Here are just a few of the ways by which we can prevent accidents:

Develop habits of Safety First.

Stop playing with fire.

Use tests for color blindness for railway engineers and conductors.

Provide traffic policemen.

Give proper attention to small wounds and injuries. Care with Machinery.

This subject was also discussed in the chapter on "Health," where we found that the various states had established laws ordering certain safety devices placed on machinery to protect the workers. Metal

Courtesy Amer. Assn. for Labor Legislation WHY DIDN'T HE TURN THE MOTOR OFF

guards must be placed Cartoon illustrating the results of a workover the dangerous parts

man's carelessness.

of the machine; whirling belts inclosed; shields worn to protect the eyes from flying particles of metal; and fans provided to carry emery dust or other harmful particles away from the workers. Levers are necessary so that the machine may be stopped at a moment's notice. The next time you go into a large factory count how many of these devices you can find.

Protection from Fraud. The city must also protect us from fraud. A uniform standard of weights and measures has been established, and all scales and measures are subject to the inspection of public officials. False bottoms or tapering sides have been found during such inspection. Such frauds are forbidden, and the storekeeper found guilty of using false weights or measures is subject to a fine or imprisonment. The use of the United States mails is carefully protected. An attempt to defraud a person through the mails is an offense against the laws of the United States. The states are passing laws to help protect purchasers of stocks and bonds from fake schemes.

Watchmen of the Cities. Just as an army needs sentinels, so the city needs watchmen. In olden times everyone was supposed to act as watchman in the cities, answering the call for "Help!" when it occurred. This proved so unsatisfactory that the wealthier men of that period hired their own bodyguards to escort them at night. Then the various localities, realizing the necessity for greater safety of life and property, hired watchmen who patrolled the city streets and called the various hours of the night. These men wore no uniforms and used only rude weapons.

In 1828 London organized the first police force-a uniformed group of men, well armed and backed by the authority of the law. From this group has grown our modern city police departments with their specialized branches of mounted, motorcycle, and traffic police.

The policeman makes certain that street doors are locked and proper safety precautions taken, He is really a police

inspector. He reports any public lights on his beat that are out of order. He reports bad holes in the streets or sidewalks, and sees that red lights or red flags warn of dangers. He arrests wrongdoers and admonishes those whose acts are dangerous to the safety or health of others. He is expected to answer the questions of strangers. His uniform tells all that he is in public employ and hence ready to aid in any way.

Traffic Police. The traffic policeman maintains order in the city's traffic. Heguides school children at dangerous crossings. In every city there are many regulations regarding the use of the streets. Thus, drivers must keep to the right. On certain one-way streets the traffic goes north or south; on others, it goes east or west. Heavy vehicles keep near the curb; light, fast-moving vehicles take the center of the street. By such regulations traffic is carried on in an orderly manner. busy crossings the policeman takes his stand in the middle of the street. He raises his hand and the north-south traffic stops while the east-west traffic-cars, automobiles, wagons, and foot passengers-hurries across the street.

Underwood & Underwood, N. Y. THE TRAFFIC POLICEMAN Without his aid the traffic in a large city would soon be in a hopeless snarl in which many accidents would occur.

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