New-York tribune., 1901-07-15
Rooney NEEDS CLEANSING.
POLICE ALLOW VICE TO FLOURISH ON
THE ISLAND-MANY PITFALLS
FOR YOUNG FEET.

FOR YOUNG FEET.
The crusade against the wickedness at SoheS
ss1sland. which was started Saturday night
INV the Wouan's Branch of the Brooklyn CITY
;xussion Society as reported in The Tribune mas
ialready aroused the interest OF many pefsoiiS
WHO would be overjoyed to see the place cieareo
of it's pestholes OF vice, its schools OF lnlquity
iand it's hordes of degraded men and women.
sIIasty investigations made by persons whose
sense of duty has been quickened by the cru
,sade of the conditions prevailing at this resort
have already resulted in the discovery of some
things which lead them to suspect that
l.-cadet" system similar to that exposed in the
s.'Red Light District of this borough is flour
fishing on the island Everything indicates that
this group of cadets is vicious and bold as
those that thrived under Police Captain Herlihys
Jurisdiction, and that they have brought dis
ggrace to many young women and have cast sor-
ROW over many homes. These revelations have
(been unearthed by questioning the outcasts OF
hhe island as they arragned for drunken
mess for disorderly conduct or some other In
Traction of the law In the magistrates courts.
None OF the victims. however, have as yet told
tsufficient facts which to issue warrant for
the arrest of those responsible for their degrada
ZION.
II think the suspicion that a gang Of cadets
like those found IN the Red Light district, in
Manhattan is operating on the island is well
.founded" said man who is actively interested
In the work of wiping out the dens Of immortality
et Coney TO q Tribune reporter yesterday. IT,
ssowever, the victims won't reveal the names
land the addresses of the persons who led them
iestray, and who practically sold them to vile
.wretches who live and traffic in vice. II is al
knost impossible 20 make arrests; but the pros
pect Of giving TO these cadets their deserts is
tgrowing brighter every day. and some of them
hnay find thems5:-es In jail soon.''
ALL'S WELL SAY THE POLICE
>5Stin the police say that Coney Island is
igood and wholesome place for the young and the
innocent They also say that vice is not al
flowed to flourish there; that it does not thrive
There, and that all violators Of law on the
lisland are arrested detected. The
ichangeabIeness of the police regarding the con-
lditions the island is amusing TO old frequent
lers of the place and to those who live there.
hot long ago Deputy Police Commissioner York
iannounced that he would take vigorous meas
lures to cleanse Coney Island. Up to the present
1.-THE police who are detailed to duty there have
kione absolutely nothing TO better conditions. and
ttheir Iethargy has, of increased the bold
mess of the vile TO tempt people astray.
The police at the island yesterday were plainly
derelict in the discharge of their duty. A Trib-
une reporter many violations Of the law
igoing under their noses In most or the
walks in and near the Bowery there are many
elot machines containing obscene pictures Some
of the policemen looking into the
.1nachines But they were not gazing into the
frnachines n the hope Of getting evidence against
1.-THE owners of the pictures. but TO satisfy their
own curiosity The most pathetic sight was the
number Of women with daughters and sons that
patronized the places where these machines
twere. They permitted their children to see the
disgusting photographs.
LAW OPENLY VIOLATED.
= fragrant violations of the law were committed
,by many saloonkeepers in selling intoxicating
drinks to minors. Girls wearing short dresses
were seen seated in many resorts drinking beer
,and whiskey. Many of these girls were un-
escorted. The police them but did not raise
their hands to arrest the persons who sold them
THE drinks. In other resorts vicious women
land foolish boys found drinking together
Small houses bearing big signs, Furnished
Rooms to Let IN front OF which women stand
sDr sit soliciting custom, numerous.
II Sea Beach walk is the Gospel Lighthouse
This mission house was founded three years ago
by William D. Hughes He said yesterday to a
Tribune reporter:
ITO the casual observer Coney Island has the
appearance OF fair, full of fun and merriment.
1t is only Just to say that many engaged in
business here whose business is free from re-
proach and who themselves men Of integ-
rity. But within the circumference OF Coney
Island proper every possible device is laid by
which men, women and children despoiied IN
purse and character.
IF the homes that suffer the loss of some loved
wIth each reoccurrfng year-perhaps a
father, SON or daughter and sometimes the wife
and mother-could be marshalled TO give evi-
dence OF the downfall which followed that first
days seemingly innocent enjoyment Coney
Island, the place would in its present fatally
tniqutous condition, cease to exist; il would be-
come ash heap
. Let take illustration from an instance
that OCCURS not less than twenty times day
a hundred would be nearer the truth. A family
visit Coney Island. On a pavilion for dancing
Is the sign, welcome TO basket parties, The
bar is off in g. corner, and is not prominently IN
evidence. The family eat their luncheon and
while thus engaged the music begins and a
young man asks the parents If he show the
children how to dance. The children de-
lighted, and the parents. thinking of harm,
consent and thus the children receive their first
introduction TO helrs brothel, a Coney Island
dancing pavilion-a veritable school for the pro-
.pagation OF criminals"
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