The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-08-29
Parents Are
Responsible
Sheriff LinviIIe BIames Them FOR
Much Of the Rowdyism Of
Bad Boys

sheriff Llnviile entertains the opinion
that parents are largely responsible for
the depredations Of the bad boys who
have been causing NO much annoyance
OF late. The sheriff says that there
are scores Of parents who have no
knowledge Of the whereabouts OF their
boys from one day TO another, and that
this lack Of parental restriction is TO
blame for the rowdyism occurring re-
cantly.
'"rhe officers Intend putting stop to
the pranks Of the boys. said the sheriff
yesterday. III IL is necessary TO arrest
every lad In the city. The boys have In
many Instances become 30 bold that
they do not hesitate at anything. Take
the dcpredatIons OF the Uniontown
gang, for instance. Those young ras-
calls formerly amused themselves by
Foaping the street car track on the
steep hill leading out Of West Astoria.
and by removing the trolley from the
car while II was ascending the hill.
This act of vandalism might have re-
suited In the death OF dozen people.
Such utter depravity Is appalling.
I'm the past we have often been ac-
tuated by desire 10 protect perents.
and frequently when boys became In
volyed In trouble we would withhold
names and settle cases out OF court
merely because we dislike 10 bring dis
grace upon the fathers and mothers Of
the lads involved. Kindness has ceased
10 be virtue. and hereafter will
cause the arrest OF every boy against
whom complaint is lodged. His name.
the charge on which he Ii arrested and
all other facts Will be given to the press
regardless OF the feelings Of parents.
Why. things have come to such pass
that the boys Of the city constitute the
very worst element with which We
have TO contend. II there Ia any method
OF putting a stop to this nuisance. you
may rest assured we will employ IT,
THE parents. In many cases, are
equally as much to blame as the boys.
have personally investigated several
cases OF late and have learned that
many boys 60 and come from their
homes al Will. Their parents see them
at breakfast, perhaps again at dinner.
and then not again until the next morn
ing Many fathers do not even know
the time OF night that their boys reach
home. The consequence Is that the
young scoundrels run the streets day
and night. getting into all sorts OF mis-
chief and causing the people OF the
city and peace officers constant annoy
ance. Satisfied that the officers will
not arrest them out OF consideration
for their parents the boys have become
30 bold that they frequently liable them
selves TO terms in the penitentiary.
II especially desire to warn parents
to keep closer watch on their sons in
the future, else there viii be wholesale
arrests We have determined TO put an
immediate and effectual stop TO youth
full acts Of lawiessness, and the plead
ings OF mothers and fathers will here
after count for naught. This Is final
and emphatic"
Chief OF Police Hallock heartily con-
ours in the views entertained by Sher-
IN Llnvllle. The chief says his force
experiences much trouble with youth
full offenders and that hereafter he will
arrest them, regardless OF any senti-
mental feeling that he may feel for the
parents. 1t Is his intention to inforce
strict observance OF the curtew ordi-
nance. and boys found out after the
bell rings will be Jailed and held for
trial in the police court the following
forenoon.
Three OF the boys convicted Thursday
OF assault are at liberty. Paul Mar
ion paid over his fine at once. and yes
terday Gearhart Lahti and Stephen
Jarvi were bailed out of the county
Jail. Young Jarvi is brother OF Matti
Jarvi, the Finn lad who murdered
his father because the old man came
home in drunken condition. The
younger JarY is said by the sheriff to
be tough customer. The Marion boys
brothers are among the most popular
young men Of the city. and his recent
escapade is regretted for their sake.
Joseph ONBrlen, one OF the sexette, was
in trouble in Portland for assaulting
a Chlnaman, and was sent TO the re-
a. u