Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-28
REMEDY I'm THE LAW
Protesting Citizens Must Apply to
the Courts.
RECENT COMPLAINT INVESTIGATED
Fourteenth Street Park a Subject
of Discussion.
ACTION OF COMMISSIONERS

The District Commissioners recently re-
ceived petition signed by a very large
number of the property owners and res
idents in the vicinity Of what Is known as
Fourteenth Street Park" located on the
west side Of 18th street between T and u
streets, in which the petitioners represent
ed to the Commissioners that the place, as
at present conducted, amounts to an al
most unbearable nuisance, owing to the
crowds which congregate there each enter
tainment night, the resultant noise and
confusion extending to nearly midnight.
The peaceable, law-abiding residents in
that vicinity, stated the petitioners, are, in
consequence, deprived Of needed rest, Sc
curity and peace. Therefore they request
ed that no more permits be granted for
such entertainments at the place.
The petition was referred by the Com
missioEers to the police department for in
vestigation and report. Lieut. Kenney in
charge of the eighth police precinct, re-
ported that the place is a nuisance and
stated that in his opinion the prayers of
the petitioners are reasonable and should
be granted, If it is within the, powers OF
the Commissioners to SO do.
Maj. sylvester's Opinion.
Maj. Sylvester, the chief Of police, In for
wardiag Lieut.. Kenney's report, expressed
himself as follows:
1T is within the power of the superin-
tendent of police to refuse permits for
these entertainments, but the question of
license is one to be determined by the Com
mfssloners. The resort no doubt Is pa
tronized by large number of persons, who
go there as a source of recreation and it
Is unfortunate that those who conduct
thems in an orderly manner should be
deprived of such privilege. On the other
hand. judging from the report of Lieut..
kenney, there are others who exercise
full license Of conduct. to the detriment
of the institution and of the people who
may patrontza the place. If the Commits
stoners are not disposed to take action
in the matter, 1 am informed by the lieu
tenant that the petitioners are prepared
to go before the grand jury, with a view of
securing an Indictment
An OmciaI Visit.
Commissioner Wight, in company with an
officer, visited the place, and stated to his
associates that he is strongly OF the opin-
ion that it is detrimental to the neighbor-
hood to allow it's continuance IF" he
said, 1.-The license can be refused, / recon-
mend that such action be taken but, mas
much as that Is a matter coming under the
jurisdiction of Commissioner Ross more
especially, l transmit the case to him for
such action as he thinks best" Commits
sioner Ross, however. informed his asso-
GATES that the case is analogous to that of
Nashs Hall, as to which the then attor-
ney for the District Mr.. S. T. Thomas,
recently rendered an opinion to the effect
that the Commissioners have no discretion
as to the issuance of a license. Mr.. Ross
therefore concluded that the remedy for
the parties complaining of the place must
be in the courts
Mr. Ross associates adopted his view of
the matter and the petitioners will be in
formed that, In the opinion Of the Com
mlssloners' their remedy is in resort to
the courts az u