New-York tribune., 1901-04-03
SPITTERS, TAKE WARNING.
THE HEALTH BOARD BEGINS ITS CRU
SADIE.
TENDERS AND MAGISTRATES DISPOSE
OF CASES IN VARIOUS WAYS.

Having carried for five years what has
been called "a campaign Of education" the sani-
tary officials of the city yesterday began what
they say is intended TO be vigorous enforce
ment Of the regulation against splitting in public
places. Seventy policemen of the Sanitary Squad
were sent out in plain clothes with orders to ride
on streetcars elevated trains and ferry boats,
and arrest every man they caught splitting on
the floors of such public conveyances.
The number of arrests not so large as to
indicate that the policemen were active and Wig
liant in the search for spitters. but many Of
tenders were caught during the day. The dispo-
sition of the cases in the police courts was not
uniform, the magistrates holding different views,
apparently as to the Importance of the charge
made by the policemen Some prisoners were
held in $500 bail for examination. and some were
held in $50 bail Some were compelled to pay
small fines Some We're discharged with warn
ings.
DIR. Roberts the sanitary superintendent. said
yesterday afternoon that he did not expect TO
know until to-day how many arrests had been
made yesterday. Il think he said, that the
enforcement of the rule against splitting in pub
lie places could be made easier If the magis-
trates had a uniform method of disposing of the
persons arrested. The Health Board is deter
mined to enforce the rule and the sanitary po-
end A resolution TO have the rule enforced was
passed by the Health Board last week. did
not send the men out to make arrests yesterday.
because I thought some of the magistrates might
think We indulging in an April fool joke"
Section 1914 IF the Sanitary Code passed
in 1896 the Health Board taking the ground
that splitting on the floors Of public buildings
and public conveyances helped TO spread tuber-
cuar and other diseases.
There has been a general posting Of notices In
compliance with the rule. but comparatively few
men addicted to the habit of splitting on the
floors of cars have paid any attention to the rule
HE WAS FACETTOUs ABOUT 1T.
one of the first persons to he arrested for
splitting yesterday Anthony ]. Allen an
auctioneer, OF No. 544 East Eighty yseventh-st.
who was riding downtown on a second-ave
elevated train. He was splitting on the floor Of
the car profusely and in easy, nonchalant
manner when Policeman Henry called his at
tention to the fact that he violating the law.
'Oh, don't you mind said Allen. 1T will all
come out in the wash. Say why don't you put
signs on the seats Of the cars? You might get
advertising privileges"
Il am an officer Of the Sanitary Squad. and
thought l would you" replied Henry.
oh ! am glad to know YOU replied Allen.
I thought you Funston or Mckinney
Then Allen expectorated lavishly again Henry
arrested Allen, and took him before Magistrate
Mott in the Yorkville police court, where the
prisoner said humbly:
Il didn't mean TO spit the floor Of the car.
I'll never do ii again. Let me go this time, and
it will never happen again"
That's what they all say" said Magistrate
Mott Il have no use for those who spit in
public places. Why didn't you apit IN your hand
kerchief? Every man who splits in a car should
be arrested and locked up"
Magistrate Mott held Allen IN $500 bail for
trial.