Big businesses fight against having to install fenders on commercial trucks. Meanwhile, pedestrians are getting hit and run over by trucks, and are not surviving the rather unpleasant experience.
Auto Deaths Go On As Fight Continues On Fenders
April 7, 1917. — While some of our “public-spirited” citizens are fighting the ordinance requiring fenders on auto trucks, another child fell a victim to the crushing force of a commercial machine last night. She was Helen Couzens, 10, of Malden St. She died soon after the accident.
The girl was caught by the truck at Wilson Ave. and Broadway and, after being knocked down, was run over. One of the wheels crushed her skull. A crowd gathered and threatened to kill the driver, W. Reber, but he was rescued by the police and locked up. The truck is owned by the Rosen Team Co.
Harry Heinz of Cottage Grove Ave., was another victim of an auto truck last night. He was run over at Kinzie and Wells Sts. He may die. Sidney Clark, driver, was arrested.
Armour & Co., Consumers’ Co. and The Fair are the leaders in the fight of big business to tie up the fender ordinance in the courts. If they had not asked an injunction against the law it would now be in effect. Tests have shown that neither of the pair would have been severely hurt last night.
Source: The day book. (Chicago, Ill.), 07 April 1917.
