New-York tribune., 1901-07-02
DIDN'T PAY FOR PARK SEAT
COLLEGE BOY ARRESTEDrSAID FRED
BENCHES WERE NOT SET IN
THE SHADE

college boy tried to stand upon his rights yss.
terday with regard the pay chairs in the park.
but was arrested for his pains. He complained
that the free benches carefully out in tha
sun and the pay chairs invitingIy in the shade
HIS name is Abraham Cohen. eighteen years old ot
NO 16o Broome-st. and he arraigned IN tbs
Jenerson Market court yesterday. charged with dis
orderly conduct. and Martin Heinz OF No 34s
slxth-ave. was charged with interfering with
policeman IN the discharge Of his duty. Policeman
Louis Lues, of the Tenderloin station. who made
the arrests. said that the boy was causing a crowd
to collect by sitting in of the new pay chairs
In Madison Square Park and refusing 10 pay for
the seat. and that he also refused to vacats the
cnair when ordered TO do so by the attendant and
by the policeman Helm laughed AT the policeman
when he placed the boy under arrest
Cohen said that he was a student az the City
College, and that it had been his custom for two
years to SIT in the park whenever he chose TO do
So and that he had never been asked TO pay be-
lore and he did not know that any one had a
rignt to make him pay five cents for sitting in
public park
L would rather have the benches anyhow
Judge, he said We used TO have a whole bench
Iree' put now We have 10 pay five for
chair. I didn't want the old chair but they have
moved all the benches out in the sun, and thu
chairs are placed in the shadiest part OF the park
When the policeman told me TO sit on the bench
told him TO go bring me the bench and would
do SO. bur l did not propose TO sit in the sun He
then told me TO go 10 warmer climate than this.
and told him that If he would take the old chair
away would sit on the grass, that all 1 wanted
was to sit in the shade and cool off a little. Ths
city gave me a free ride from the station house
70 the court. and then they want 10 charge me-
rage
Mr.. Helm said that he was attracted by thu
S%rOwo % and Went over 10 see what was the natter
Ihere were fully a thousand people gathered
around the officer and the boy, he said. and when
ne learned the cause of the disturbance he could
not keep from laughing.
. always laugh loud, your honor he said. and
II struck me the funniest thing l had ever heard
or and Just yelled l reckon this officer thought
was laughing at him. and he took ths
station thing il funny yet and every time I
(hlnk OF this boy telling the policeman 20 go bring
MIN nm one OF the benches because he had been in the
haDlt OF sitting in that particular spot and then
When think OF the officer telling him go 10 a
warmer place than this (as il there could be any
warmer place than New-YOrk is now. 1 Just can't
help laughing, and Helm went OF into another fl
OF laughter which made the courtroom ring
Even Magistrate Mayo could not suppress a
smile and the clerks and officers of the court all
case. -~'
Magistrate Mayo finally discharged both prison.
ers he admon1shed the boy pay for the chairs
or use the seats until II is decided whether or not
tne Park Commissioner has the right TO sell such a
prtyiege and suggested that Mr.. Helm laugh more
moderately in future when ANYTHING appealed 70
his sense of the humorous.