Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-13
THE CHICKEN NUISANCE.
Owners OF Fowls Must Keep Them at
Home or Pay q Fine.

Poundmaster Einstein did not accept the in
vitation Of DR.. Chester and attend church to
hear him preach from the text, And Simon
went afishing," nor will he take up chickens
found at large, as required by the police regu-
lations, until some provision is made for the
impounding of fowls SO found. Dr. Chester,
Professor Thomas Taylor, Waterman Willis Of
Stanton park and other residents Of the neigh
borhood of Massachusetts, avenue and Attn
street northeast have been greatly annoyed by
chickens, and in the absence Of relief from the
poundmaster the police brought Chas. Neurath,
q boy, into the Police Court this morning.
There has been a controversy going on be-
tween the health and police departments" said
Policeman Pearson to Judge Miller. 1.-THE
chickens in the neighborhood mentioned have
destroyed parks and flowers and swore out a
warrant for the defendant as the owner of
some Of the fowls complained Of" The boy,
the officer said, admitted the ownership Of the
chickens In question.
REV. DR. cHEsrER's TALE OF WOE.
Rev. DIR. Chester said: ''The chickens have
torn up my grass and flowers and dropped lit
ter on the pavements which is tracked into the
house. The question now is whether we are
to be permitted to keep our parks and flower
beds in order and beautify the city or whether
the chickens are to be permitted to dig up such
places and make them eye-sores."
How about Stanton park" asked Mr.. Du-
mont
Witness replied that the public square was
treated the same as the private parkings
CHICKENS IN A PUBLIC PARK
"Do the chickens annoy you?" asked the
judge OF Waterman Willis, who has charge of
the square.
They certainly do" replied the watchman.
The fowls have peculiar fondness for get
ting in the flower beds, where the earth is light,
and scratching holes in them. The chickens
usually come in groups ana while one group is
being chased out the other is rnining a flower
bed or grass"
Judge Miller said that the law was very plain
After defining the provisions of the regula-
tions the court questioned the witnesses as to
whether the chickens disturbed their comfort
or not
PROF. TAYLoR's SAD EXPERIENCE.
Prof. Taylor was then called as a witness.
Doctor" said the judge, do you know any
thing about these particular chickens?"
''Yes, sir" replied the doctor, IL know a
great deal l live at Massachusetts avenue
and Sd street and have about 10000 feet of
parking. l have probably suffered more
than any other person IN that neighborhood.
go to great expense to plant flowers and
gangs OF chickens visit my parks and destroy
both the grass and flowers"
AoNO you Com pidiucu tOtue pOuu01uaSterI'
asked the judge.
Il have not. !" responded the doctor, ''but I
have seen In The STAR that he will not catch
them because he has no coops."
1t don't take much of a coop TO put
chickens in" added the judge.
THE BOY PRISONER AND THE JUDGE.
81 amt the only one who owns chickens that
go in the park, )" said the defendant; but lots
Of other people have got them too"
do your chickens go in the street,"
'1es, sir: and SO do the others"
''Have You ever been notified to keep your
chickens on your own premises?'
''Yes, sir; once or twice.
"And still you will persist in allowing them
to run at large and among your neighbors. You
haven't any right to let your chickens run at
large, nor has any one else The streets be-
long to the government and not to individuals
Being as this was the first case did not intend
to fine you. but you have been warned about il
and you paid no attention to the warning You
can pay the lowest fine, which is 81"