The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-16
PAUL|STS
CONDUCT
VICE WAR
Father Grant Has Promise Of
Official Help In Flight In
New Tsnde'IOIn.

New York, Sept. 16.-Father Grant, OF
the Paulist Fathers. has won the first
skirmish in the battle he is waging TO
and corruption. In the West Side police
court James Meehan. a bartender, who
was arrested for selling beer 10 Katie
ONeill, IL years old. was held In Sl'oVo
bail for trias
In holdiny Meehan Magistrate Barlow
took occasJn to compliment Father
Grant and the godd work he has under
taken. promising 10 give him assistance.
''You have been doing splendid work
in your dtstrict." said Magistrate Bar
law, "and II other ministers and priests
in this city would follow your example
New York would soon be a better place
in which to live. You may cah on me
at any time for assistance. / am heart
and soul with you"
All day long Father Grant was working
with untiring energy yesterday and those
who at first sneered at his efforts were
becoming panic stricken. Saloons west
OF Seventh avenue and between Sixty
fifth and Fifty-fourth streets were doing
little business. Children were not served
and doors were closed after legal hours.
PANIC AMONG BAD CHARACTERS.
There is also a panic among disrepu-
way into the big apartment houses in
the New Tenderloin Notice has been
served on the landlords that they will
be held responsible for continued in
fractions of the law I'm their houses and
dispossess notices are being served.
District Attorney Jerome has promised
Father Grant that he will cooperate
with him. IL Is the intention of the two
that the police shall have every oppor-
tunity to do their duty. and II they fail
action will be taken which will serve as
warning In the future.
Commissioner Greene has given IN
structions that the police shall render
such assistance as is proper TO the Paul
ist priest. Father Grant went TO head
quarters not long ago. and although he
does not assume that he was treated
with anything but courtesy his con-
versation was largely with Commis-
eioner Greene's private secretary. Later
he was caHed or by Inspector Walsh.
who was found by him TO be fully alive
to the situation.
INSPECTORS ENDORSEMENT.
Father Grant is right in what he has
undertaken" said Inspector Walsh yes
terday ''I do not think 81 follows that
there has been any failure OF police duty
by those in charge OF the precinct IN
which his labors are confined. 1t is i'm
probable that the time will ever arrive
when there will be no sin or vice in
New York, but we would be derelict II
we failed TO give assistance 10 the priest
in his efforts.
He is not trying TO close the saloons.
nor Is he attempting TO bring trouble on
any respectable place in which liquors
are sold He merely demands that chill
dren shall not be served. and he certainly
has a right TO make that demand.
'1n his effort 10 eradicate vice from the
big apartment houses. Father Grant has
undertaken a more difficult task. though
1t Is one that is just as worthy OF sue
cess. IL is readily understood that IL
is almost impossible for the police of a
precinct 10 keep disreputable women un-
der surveillance and control
why, IL often happens thar n woman
known to be disreputable is warned TO
leave building in which respectabl
families are living. She complains that
she has been insulted. and public SYM
pathy Is at once aroused in her behalf.
Father Grant can do what the police can
not to-"