The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-09-04
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
Complaints Against Hueksters Who
PersistentIy Ring Deorbells.
Mr. FoIlett Says They Annoy His
Wife and Are fmpudent in Their
"a Disorderiy Resort Objection
to Assessments ON Al Small Lot

F. w FoIlett, of 1879 D Street south
east. recently entered complaint with the
Commissioners of the annoyance caused by
the opportunities OF the hucksters who
ring the doorbeli at all hours of the day
las a householder in this city, he says,
Il have been greatly annoyed by the buck
sters, who continually ring the doOrbel al
all hours. Wishing TO stop it, l recently
put small sign by the doorbell. saying
that no huckstefs5 are wanted. In spite
of this they continue to ring as before, and
several of them have been impudent and
annoying to my wife in my absence, stat
ing that they propose to continue 10 ring
the bell.
In fact, they claim that, having Ii
cense, they have a legal right 10 ring our
bell whenever they see fit, notwithstand-
ing the fact that they have been told TO
keep away, as We DO not propose to trade
with them 1t IS done for pure malice and
for the purpose CT causing annoyance.
What wish to know is if they have any
such legal right If not, I shall take meas
ures to put stop to it forthwith.
I cannot believe that a woman is
obliged 10 submit to the brazen impudence
of these. pestiferous fellows in the absence
are careful to act in that manner only
when no man IS around.
viii you kindly inform me whether or
not hucksteTs have the legal right TO con-
tiEuaIIy ring dO0rbeli5 after they have
been told 10 keep away?''
The complaint having been referred to
the Police Department for consideration
and report, the superintendent sent II to
Lieutenant McCathran OF the Fifth pre-
.5, inc bi,,or al m
as would put stop to the annoyances
complained of. II his order the Superin-
tend6nt said:
After being warned 10 desist from ring
ing CcorbelIs. ii seems TO me that parties
who persist are guilty of disorGerly con-
duct"
Lieutenant NcCathTan reported that the
men On the beat set a especial watch on
the premises. eEdaavering TO make a case
against hucksteTs who maliciCusly ring
dooTbells. The ordinary ringing Of door
bells, the lieutenant says. by huckaters 20
advertise their wares, is held BY lh9
court as not violation of the police
regulations.
In returning the report of Lieutenant
McCathran GO the Commissioners, Major
Sylvester stated that the police seem to
be doing all that is possibly consistent
with their limited number to put an end
to this character Of annoyance.
After considering the reports from the
Police Department the Commissioners to-
day decided that the complainant should
be informed in accordance with the fac s
contained therein.
In reporting on the question raised by
Lieutenant McCaJhTan relative 10 the
stand taken by The court on the ringing
Of door BELLS by hucksJers. Judge l. G.
KimbaIl in reply TO a letter from the Sec
rotary 10 the Board of Commissioners,
( says:
/ = know of no such decision as that re-
! ferred to. l have convicted many offend
| ers in this class of cases upon the tcsti-
! ucny CT policemen and know OF no rea-
son why when evidence is sufficient, tney
| should not e convicted