Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-27
The Noise Nuisance,
To the Editor Of The Evening Star:

To the Editor of The Evening Star:
L regret the tone of ridicule with which
the complaint of Mr.. MoCabe to the Com
missioners is treated by the press. Looked
at from the point of view of Mr.. McCabe,
there Is nothing funny in the whistling nui-
sance nor in the screaming and yelling of
ll-mannered children along our streets,
particularly In the evening and at night.
AS read Mr.. McCabe's complaint he does
not ask the Commissioners to deyocaliZe
the birds, nor to remove the whistle from
the wind nor the murmur from the brook
nor the Il scream from the confectioner' S
menu card. He Is after real nuisances of
the first water. Personally 1 deeply SYM
pathize with all persons suffering from the
unnecessary noises throughout our beauti-
full city. For some reason these noises in
crease hundredfold upon the advent of
the first real hot night. My experience yes
terday will serve as an instance. 1 was
very tired and worn out and endeavoring
to get cool and rested when gang of boys
began a game out in the street the main
object Of which appeared to be to see who
could scream the loudest and pass the term
liar" etc, the oftenest. 1 stood for a
while and then left the house. tired as
was, and wandered. Returned about $50
and retired. Then began another scream
ing contest, this time among a crowd of
small negroes l could lie down no longer
and got up till there was a lull in the pro-
ceedings. Had to get up again and dress
myself to wander around once moro until
the row ceased between 1890 and IL
o'clock. This morning l was awakened at
about 4;S0 by negro driver shouting at
full voice Heaven is my home" and I
most devoutly wished him where he would
get good and warm, when he arrived at
| "Earths cold and desert drear." Rolled
over and tried at again. when the milkman
drove up and screamed at his horse, where
upon cur belonging to neighbor sailed
forth at full tongue after the milkman.
Several groans and few words.
Thought I had caught a nap on the
fly when negro woman screamed at an
other one on the next block: ooh, Sallie
I saw you last night" In the meantime the
tops of several bread boxes had been
slammed to give sort of military salute
and fill in any gaps The small boy now
appeared with a whistle so pitched as to
affect the nerves after the manner of one
of those little instruments Of the devil that
dentists employ BY this time "the babies
in our block" had opened up and with
many a groan 1 arose to the duties and
responsibilities of the day. You ask maybe
us this a regular deal?' and can truly say
Yea, verify, till about the end of October u
When "a boy 1 was taught that it was
highly mpolite to whistle in the presence
of older persons or in passing them, just
as 1t was impolite to slam a door or talk
in a loud voice where, some one was read
ing, etc. Do parents teach their children
any manners these days2 got on a street
car few days since and there was a boy
in front who whistled right along. This
was pad enough Dul young man jumped
in at full whistle. and the two did Their
best to drown each others whistle, negro
with rattan cane all the while rapping or
the back of the seat. 1 managed not tc
Jump off while the car was in motion.
Why don't the police stop the hucksterl
from yelling and fhowling as they dc
throughout the city, Under the regulations
all manner of crying zones wares for sale
is strictly forbidden. and yet the regulation
is a dead letter and that in the face OF
hundreds Of complaints. A strict enforce.
ment of this rule would add much to the
comfort Of all who are compelled to re.
main here during the summer.
6YPATHIZER,