Evening star., 1903-07-01
SALE OF FIREWORKS
Many Applicants for Permits
at Headquarters.
RULES FOR FOURTH
UNLAWFUL TO EXPLODE CRACK
ERS" BEFORE z A. M.
The Privilege Ends at Midnight
Stringent Orders Issued to
the Police.
RULES FOR FOURTH

Pedestrians on Louisiana avenue during
the past few days might easily have imag-
ined that the home of the police depart
ment was the meeting place of the local
Chinese colony. Almost every hour in the
day for the past week ten days China
men have visited the building to apply for
their permits to sell fireworks to the Fourth
of July trade. Many dealers other than
the celeStials have also been among those
who wanted permits. Today the permit
clerk kept busy filling out permits and
receiving applications. Nearly six hundred
such permits have already been issued, and
it is thought that about one hundred more
will be issued between now and Friday
night. There were seven hundred permits
issued last year.
1t appears from statements made to the
police that many persons are under the
impression that they are to have free license
Saturday in the matter of celebrating with
explosives. Such is not to be the case,
however for the orders of the superinten-
dent of police restricts the use of ex-
plos:ves to the hours from am. to
were advised that they might start
their celebration at o'clock. This restric-
ton, however will probably not affect the
children to any appreciable extent, for they
several days, and unless they are locked up
it is hardly likely that they will live up to
the regulations on Independence day.
Orders to Police
In the order issued by Maj. Sylvester to
the members of the force respecting the
celebration Saturday the latter are in
formed that the operation of the law is to
be suspended between the hours mentioned,
except in the vicinity of hospitals or other
places where notice IS given of illness
within. Firecrac ckers, other than giant or
cannon crackers not to exceed three and
one.half inches in length, squibs, toy pis-
tolls, not less than five inches in length
and paper caps, and other fireworks may
be used that day excepting where the
notices mentioned are displayed
Stocks to Be Inspected.
Under instructions from the superintend-
ent the several police lieutenants are to
examine the stocks of fireworks in the
stores to see that the provisions of the
permits are complied with. The officers are
specifically informed that explosives are
not to be placed upon street car tracks
and are to use their best discretion in deal
ing with children With reference to the use
of explosives not excepted by the order the
members Of the force are instructed to
prosecute the dealer well as the person
discharging them. Persons who intend to
celebrate with explosives are warned to
keep away from sheds and other places
where there is danger. The police are ad-
vised that the regula ton will continue in
effect so far as it relates to the discharge
of guns, air-guns, rifles, revolvers, pistols
cannons. tOrpedoes other than paper-even
wnere blank cartridges are employed.
Whole Force on Duty.
Almost the entire police force will be on
duty Saturday, as will the fire department.
Both departments will be ready for prompt
service in case Of emergency, and the local
hospitals where emergency work is DONE
will also have extra force on duty 1t
is practically certain that there will be a
number of burned hands and faces to be
treated but other trouble is not feared
During recent years the firemen have
not had much extra work on the Fourth
This improved condition of affairs it is be-
lieved. is the result of the change In police
methods. An effort was made to suppress
the use of fireworks. one year, when Major
Dye was chief of police The boys took
refuge in sheds and houses and the result
was that the fire department was kept
busy all day and the number of casualties
far exceeded those of other years.
Major Sylvester says it is a mistake for
people to imagine that big crowds are ex-
pected on the White lot Saturday night
The program for that night includes only
pieces that are to be exploded high in the
air, and which can be viewed at a dis
tance to a much better advantage than
from points near where they are sent up