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Editorial
December 12, 1952
Summit County Labor News
Akron, Summit County, Ohio
What is this article about?
In New York, Dr. Joseph Epstein was convicted of speeding while rushing to a hospital to save a patient who died due to the delay from the traffic stop. The judge ruled a private doctor's car is not an emergency vehicle. The editorial deems this silly and tragic, advocating common sense in law enforcement, and quotes a poem on the law's selective nature.
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Can You Beat It?
In a New York court. Dr. Joseph Epstein was convicted of
speeding, although he was rushing to a hospital to save a life.
He was going 60 miles an hour on the Triborough bridge when he
was stopped by a traffic officer. Dr. Epstein blamed the officer
for delaying him almost a half-hour while he wrote out the traffic
ticket.
The patient, a 56-year-old attorney, died, but Dr. Epstein felt
sure he could have saved the man's life, had he not been delayed.
The judge ruled that a private car driven by a doctor is not an
emergency vehicle and cannot violate speed laws.
But, the whole thing looks silly to us, in addition to being
tragic in its consequences. No right-minded person condones
speeding as such. But, we think laws should be construed and
enforced with common sense. We are reminded of a poem which
was a favorite with the late Bourke Cochran, noted Labor attorney:
The net of law is built so strong,
It takes in every child of wrong.
Its meshes are so strong and wide,
No sinner from its sweep may hide
But, wonderous web of mystery,
Big fish alone escape from thee.
In a New York court. Dr. Joseph Epstein was convicted of
speeding, although he was rushing to a hospital to save a life.
He was going 60 miles an hour on the Triborough bridge when he
was stopped by a traffic officer. Dr. Epstein blamed the officer
for delaying him almost a half-hour while he wrote out the traffic
ticket.
The patient, a 56-year-old attorney, died, but Dr. Epstein felt
sure he could have saved the man's life, had he not been delayed.
The judge ruled that a private car driven by a doctor is not an
emergency vehicle and cannot violate speed laws.
But, the whole thing looks silly to us, in addition to being
tragic in its consequences. No right-minded person condones
speeding as such. But, we think laws should be construed and
enforced with common sense. We are reminded of a poem which
was a favorite with the late Bourke Cochran, noted Labor attorney:
The net of law is built so strong,
It takes in every child of wrong.
Its meshes are so strong and wide,
No sinner from its sweep may hide
But, wonderous web of mystery,
Big fish alone escape from thee.
What sub-type of article is it?
Legal Reform
Crime Or Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Speeding Conviction
Medical Emergency
Traffic Laws
Common Sense Enforcement
Law Selectivity
What entities or persons were involved?
Dr. Joseph Epstein
Bourke Cochran
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Critique Of Rigid Enforcement Of Speeding Laws In Medical Emergencies
Stance / Tone
Critical And Advocating For Common Sense In Law Application
Key Figures
Dr. Joseph Epstein
Bourke Cochran
Key Arguments
Doctor Convicted Of Speeding While Rushing To Save A Life
Delay From Traffic Stop Contributed To Patient's Death
Private Doctor's Car Not Deemed Emergency Vehicle
Laws Should Be Enforced With Common Sense
Law Catches Small Offenders But Spares Big Ones, Per Poem