The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-06-27
"Curfew' Ordinance Provides for
Protection Of Children.
NOT TO FREQUENT BROTHELs
Duty Of Police Officers Is Plain. Offer
Excuse, Parents Object to Enforce
ment Of Law. Claimed Saloons Have
Established Dead Line"

The "Curfew Ordinance" which Is
seldom enforced, expressly provides that
minors shall not frequent the dance
halls. II Is made the especial duty OF
the chief Of police and every police of.
icer TO enforce this ordinance. Officers
make the excuse that II they attempt
TO enforce the ordinance they have row
with the parents No parent in Astoria,
having any love for his children, viii
ever object to an enforcement Of the
ordinance. The duty Of the officers is
specifically set forth and there Is an
ordinance prohibiting the interference
with an Offices in the discharge Of his
duties. lie is protected by the law and
by honest public sentiment.
The ordinance was passed to protect
the young boys and girls of Astoria. 1t
was passed to keep young boys out of
dance halls and saloons and young girls
out OF the back rooms Of saloons. 1t il
claimed that some OF the saloons in the
lower district have established dead
line" beyond which no officer Is per.
mitted TO pass. Every officer in Astoria
has perfect right, and it is his duty,
to 60 into every saloon in the city at
any and all times and see that the bust
ness is being conducted properly, and if
not conducted properly it is his duty
TO arrest the proprietor, and it is the
duty Of the common council to revoke
the license OF such a saloon.
II the saloons of Astoria, and many OF
them do, would see that the ordinances
were enforced, and assisted the officers
in the discharge of their duties, they
would have a better standing in the
community, As citizens, it is their duty
to do so, no matter what kind of bust
ness they may be engaged in. Permit
ting young boys in the dance halls was
the incentive for the recent crusade. The
officers did not do their duty and the
sheriff had to step in and enforce the
laws and ordinances. The ordinance pro-
vides as follows:
"No minor shall be permitted to GO
abroad or wander upon the streets OF
in any public place in the city of Asto,
ria after the hours of o'clock P. NJ
during the months of November, De
cember, January, February, March and
April, and after the hour of O'Clock
7. NJ. during the months Of June, July
August. September and October Of eacl
! year, unless accompanied by the parent,
or guardian OF such minor. 1t shal
be the duty Of the chief OF police to taI
the fire bell in No. 2's engine house ant
the engineer of Columbia engine com
pany No. to tap the bell on said en-
gine house and the janitor of the Upper
Astoria school to tap the bell ON sait
schoolhouse, three times at the hour
mentioned, after which any minor fount
upon the street or in any public place
except as provided in this ordinance
shall be liable - arrest and it shall b,
the duty of the chief of police and eacl
police officer to see that the provisions
OF this ordinance are enforced, No minol
shall, under any circumstances, visii
or be in any variety theater, dance hal
or saloon. Any minor violating any o
, the provisions of this ordinance shall b.
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor ant
upon conviction thereof before the audit
or and police judge, shall be fined moi
less than 50 nor more than $25, or by
Imprisonment in the city Jail not ex
ceeding l2 days"