The times., 1901-04-30
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
The Regulation to Prohibit EXpec-
toration Criticised.
A Correspondent Calls IL an In
fringement on Mems RiEhts-An-
other Asks an Ordinance Against
Long Skirts - Current Notes.


w. y. Reed. Of $50 3 Street southwest,
has written to the Commissioners rela-
tive to the matter Of prohibiting splitting
in the streets and in public places. Mr..
Reed expresses the hope that the board
will not sanction the proposed legislation.
one reason advanced for this view IS that
owing to the large number OF visitors IN
the CITY at all times the law would be to
a great extent imperative. Continuing
Mr.. Reed says:
The absurd theory advanced as to the
connection of splitting with the public
heath should not be considered. Men
have been splitting from the beginning OF
time Even Methuselah and his contem-
poraries spat, though believe there was
a solemn conclave Of doctors assembled
once who declared that Aethuselah ought
not TO have lived so long, as he exploded
their pet theories.
The ordinary man has to work too
hard to be put under a high rein and bit
on all occasions. He contributes about
all that is worth having TO our municipal
surroundings, and If he wants TO spit, let
him. like the free American citizen he
has always been. Let him chew his own
tobacco and spit where he pleases, trust
ing to his own good sense and taste not
10 inJure his neighbor. We have as many
regulations as we can dodge now. 4 Su-
preme Court judge could not walk from
the Capitol to the White House without
getting in Jail If he depended upon his
knowledge Of the police regulations in
stead Of his luck
This suggestion comes primarily from
the women, because Of their insane de-
sire to drag a number of yards Of dry
Dc fl Hf. he zrF q Is n
fortunate enough to be obliged TO get up
at O'Clock in the morning and hustle
Till midnight iE a s. coat in order to buy
a lot Of Useless drapery for a woman
vain cncdgh TO pile il on herself and too
lazy to hold it up, Instead of being re-
stricted, ought 10 be allowed 10 spit and
the whole public should spit until she
taxes of that long trail of skirts. ] think
IL emiuenfly proper that the Commission
ers should Ordain that all women who
wear street sTeepers should take the mid
die Of the street and join forces with the
white wings.
Please do not pass the proposed ordi-
nance, as "A mere man Is yet entitled TO
some consideration.
The Commissioners have also received
letter from Thomas ". Gilmer on the
subject OF a similar vein He asks that
the ordinance be not passed. He calls
attention to the fact that some good people
agitated this subject about two years ago,
and that q regulation was proposed and
that the Health Officer AT that time op-
posed its enactment, and gave good rea-
sons therefor Now he wants to know
why the Health Officer has changed mis-
mind.
Mir. Gilmer says that the long trains Of
women are more disgusting than the spit
ting habit. lie suggests that a regulation
be adopted prohibiting iong skirts or
leag1lIng their wearers with the street
EWeepers. Mr. Gilmer asks that IL the
''ukase' Is to be promulgated that it be
amended SO as 70 exempt the alleys, as
men viii certainly have TO have some
place TO spit.
Mintu J.. Key, OF SIS / Street northwest
has also addressed the Commissioners on
the subject Of the splitting ordinance and
s. opposed 10 its PRONUNCIATION. He says
that II IL is to become a part OF the law
Of the District on the ground, as some