Confession or Silence?

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 1, 18 July 1930, Page 48

Confession or Silence?

— ee : rf Our "Trials in Tact" Competition

PROBLEM No. 10, published last week, was the last of the second series.: As soon as the time for solutions to be received has expired, results will be published, and the prize-win-ners announced. All the indications are that the finish will be even more exciting than last time. Quite a number of competitors are running "neck-and-neck." Note.-The following names were inadvertently omitted from last week's. list of marks awarded:-Lambton, 4; Michael, 8; Mrs. Mason, 5; Myra, 0; Mavis, 5; Magpie, 8. PROBLEM NO. 9. "A., B., and C. have a motor accident, as a result of which A. dies of injuries, B suffers loss of memory, and C, minor injuries. The accident is unwitnessed, and due entirely to carclessness on the part of B who was driving. "As A owned the car, it is gencraily believed that he was the driver, and B remembers nothing at all. Should C make public the fact that A was not the driver, thus incriminating B; or should he remain silent?" This problem has caused the hearts of many competitors to "run away" with their heads. One cannot but admire the kindly feelings of those who argue that A. is himself past being hurt, C. should endeavour to save B. by remaining silent. They overlook, however, the fact that as A. lost his life an inquest or inquiry will bé held necessarily, at which C. will be the principal, if not the only, witness. He will, therefore, be called upon to give evidence on oath, to speak "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." If he remains silent, he becomes guilty of perjury. B. may at any time recover his memory, and divulge the actual happenings at the time of the accident; possibly, indeed probabily, without C.’s cognisance. Surely then C. would find that his Don Quixotism had placed him in a very unenviable position. Then, again, actions for damages may possibly lie. C. himself is entitled to claim, although as his injuries were only minor ones he probably will not wish to do so, But if A. left dependants they are in different case, and certainly entitled to do so. They may otherwise suffer great hardship. The position might even be reversed. B.’s friends might be advised to seek damages against A.’s estate, in which event the hardship would be greater still on A.’s heirs. C., too, would find it hard to siand aside silently and see such injustice done.. Further, apart from any question of finance or self-interest on C.’s part, vecriminations might be indulged in between the families of A. and B. AL together, painful as the circumstances are, I think it is a case of "fair play is bonny play." C., then, I.think, should speak the plain truth. As many competitors sug: gest, he need not enlarge upon B.'s carelessness, but should give plain, truthful, straightforward evidence.

Nemo’s answer is the best receiyéd. Those from Iyy-Sen, Fanny, and Viator Were also very good.-Savior-Faire. "As B. can remembér nothing of the happening, it would be kinder of GC. to keep the secret of the accident to him-self."-"Apple-Pie Mary." "Tf the accident was due to the earelessness of B., I can’t see any reason why C. should. remain silent. As are, I don’t think it would make niuch difference to B. and it might make things a little easier for Av’s relatives," . -*‘Unomi." "Tf the accident haa been witnessed there would have been no hesitation in stating that B. was the driver, and the fact that it was not does not mean that C. (however sympathetic toward B.) can help B. to-evade his responsibilities, either moral or financia]."-~ "Nemo." "Seeing that no one but C. knows that it was due to carelessness, no dishonour would attach to A.’s name if people continued to think he was the driver, and no good purpose could be served by making it known that the accident was due to B.’s carelessness, it would be better for C. not to make public the fact that A. was not the driver, Should B.: regain his memory he would probably ask for C€.’s con firmation, and C. :eould then his reasons for silence."-‘Sardonyx.’ "C’s duty is to the dead as well as to the living, and when asked (probably at the inquest) he must surely say that B. was’ the driver.’-‘Ivy-Sen." "Tf it was known that B. was the driver, A.’s people would naturally feel ‘antagonistic,, when really they should pity him. . No good could really be done through C. speaking." — "Michael." "B.’s memory is ‘almost certain to return, and it will by no means be easy for him to: right matters then. It is most unlikeley that he would wish his dead friend to bear the slur of his own ' (B.’s) conduct.""Natural," ' Marks Awarded. non, 3; Amaryliss, 4; Anice, 0; Ae ful, 3; _Apple-pie- -Mary, 0: Ben Bonza,.5; Clericus, +4; Camp-fe Deerfoot, 0; Diplex, 5; Diabo.. Mm a Devon, 5; Ecnan, 0; Effie, 5; Equity, 4; Fanny, 3; Frances, +; Flirt, 3; Flora, U; Grace, 4; Gunga-din, 5; Haven, 4; Heather, 3; ‘Hopscotch, 5; Ivy-Sen, 5; Irene, 3; Iambic, 4; Jonquil, 0; Jimmy, 45 Mrs. Jones, 0; Kummel, 3; Kate, 5; Kia-Ora, +; Lucid, 0; Lambton, 33 Michael, 0; Mrs. Mason, 5: Myra, 3; Magpie, 0; Nemo. 5: Ninke >; Natural, 5; Nomen, +: Norah, 5; Never-never, 03 Nippy, 0; Mrss Oldman, 0; Olivia, 43 Octopus. 3; Open-door. 4; Onceny. 0.; Pat, 5, Pumpkin, 5; Pansy, 5; Query, 0; Quince, 5; Radio, 4; 0; Rich- cr 0; 0; Scylla, 4; Sum- i mit, 5; Thames, 0; Tuner, 3; Topaz, 33 Tommy, 33) Undine, 0; Unomi, 53 Vivat. 0; Viator. 5: Viola. 5: Verity, 0 Wynward, +; Weaver, 5; 0; Watchful, 3; Xerxes, 0; Xylonite, 5; Zenobia, 0.