Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-18
TO ENFORCE A CURFEW ACT.
Alexander Hogelsnd Rsvivss Effort to
Place Ordinance in Effect.
ASKS MINISTER'S FOR THEIR COOPERATION
Enforcement of Present DeHcieN~
statute or Its Repeal and sun
%stitution by Better One
VIII BE Sought.

Another attempt Is to be made at en-
forcing a curfew ordinance in Omaha, as
the result Of a meeting held at Young
Mems Christian association headquarters
Monday night, at which Alexander Hoge-
land Of Louisville, KY, president of the
Boys and Girls National home and leader
Of the curfew crusade, addressed a small
gathering. A committee Of FIVE, including
Mr.. Hogeland, was appointed at the meet
ing to confer this afternoon at 4 o'clock at
the Young Mems Christian association
as to definite plans Of procedure.
The idea is to get the matter before the
city council with expedition and supported
by the greatest possible influence. To ac-
complish this it was suggested that the
committee on conference this afternoon
place the proposition before the local min
lsterial association with the recommends
ton that each pastor submit the question
to his congregation next Sunday, II POSI-
BILE, and get an expression of the church.
going populace. 1t is believed that every
church congregation in the city will accord
a unanimous vote to the enforcement Of
some sort Of an ordinance to keep chill
dren of the streets at night and the ad-
vocates of the movement feel assured that
with such potency back OF them they could
present their plea to the council with rea-
sonable, IL not unquestionable. hopes OF
success.
Leaders of Movement.
The meeting Monday night was presided
over by Dr.. w. o. Henry and D. Burr
Jones, superintendent OF the boys depart
ment Of the Young Mems Christian associa-
ton, acted as secretary. The committee
appointed to meet this afternoon to shape
further action was: DR.. Henry. chairman;
Rev. T.. Anderson. pastor OF the Calvary
Baptist church; H. F. Bundy, Rev. A. w.
Clark and Alexander Hogeland.
The statute books of the city Of Omaha
now contain a curfew ordinance that was
enacted some five years ago, but 1t has
been considered unconstitutional by prom
inent attorneys and is not enforced. One
Of its deficiencies is the lack Of an enact
ing clause; no provision is made for the
punishment of offenders. This. however,
was looked upon by some of those at the
meeting as a matter that could be easily
adjusted, either by having the ordinance
amended or repealed and substituted by
one whose validity would stand the test Of
legal scrutiny. DR.. Henry and Mr.. Hoge-
Lane both advocated this method. The SEN
timent OF the meeting was that Omaha is
badly in need of a curfew ordinance and
that 1t was straining the point to bubble
over technicalities of law in the co%nstruc-
tion Of such a statute.
dinan as Model.
The model ordinance which Mr.. Hogeland
recommends for Omaha is that In force In
Indianapolis. 1t prohibits any child under
the age Of Is years from being on the
streets unattended by parent, guardian or
custodian after s o'clock at night and i'm
poses a fine not to exceed IS for every viola
tion of this provision and for the parent,
custodian or guardian" who allows or per-
mits any such child to violate this or
dinance a fine of from s.. to $40 is pre-
scribed. Contingencies are provided, how
ever. in the execution of these penalties.
Upon the child's arrest, instead Of proceed
ing with the action against him his par
ent, custodian or guardian" must first be
summoned and his or her wishes as to
the disposition of the Juvenile offenders
case consulted. Only where the parent,
custodian or guardian" refuses to be held
responsible for the child's action will the
latter be placed in confinement, taking 1t
for granted that he is not in possession Of
the facilities necessary for meeting the pc
cuniary demands Of the law.
Many arguments we're advanced by Mr..
Hogeland to show that Omaha should have
a curfew ordinance. He based his remarks
upon the general assertion that this is the
most important bit of municipal reform
before the public.
In General Operation.
Three thousand cities had adopted this
law, governors Of every state in the union
had given it their Endorsement and but q
few mayors now opposed 1t.
Mr.. Hogeland had nc fault to find with
the city ~oficials of Omaha; indeed he be-
lieved they we're conscientiously striving
to perform their respective duties and he
had faith IN securing the enforcement Of
q curtew ordinance II one was properly
drawn and presented to the council.
The establishment Of municipal employ
ment bureaus and q system for lettering
vagrancy and sending youthful "tramps"
back to their homes was also discussed.