Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-16

Washington Small Boys Jump on and
or Moving Street Cars


TN riding around the streets Of WASH
ington on the open cars. enjoying a few
days vacation from the metropolis" re-
marked a New York detective to a star
man. 81 have observed that the small boy
OF the capital makes a practice OF Jumping
on and on the rear platforms when the con-
ductor Is on tho forward car
In this way they VIII ride for half q
square. or for few yards. and then, when
detected by the conductor, win jump to the
ground and 5eer at him though II were
great fun--and perhaps 1t 10 10 the young
ster. 1t IL. however, very dangerous and
annoying pastime and 1t should be sup
pressed for many reasons.
The average citizen would probably look
to the police to catch these little rascals.
and this the patrolmen would do could they
! lay hands upon them. were IL not that II
! is another Interpretation of Paddy's flea.
The bicycle policemen stand better
chance to get there sprightly little tres
passers. The only way to break up prao-
tioe like this In a city Is to follow the emo
which was pursued not long ago in New
York. and that Is to put the railroad spe-
cial policemen especially upon such a do
tail and continue TO make arrests until the
small boys understand that they must keep
OF the cars unless they are intending pas
sengers.
|. 1T will be found that certain boys or
gangs of boys along certain of the streets.
sometimes In particular neighborhood.
are the chief offenders. as they do II from
spirit of rivalry or childish mischief
rather than to secure free rides. These
vicinities should be localized by the con-
ductors and reports made to the companies
at the end of the days run of the car.
Some boys will make a speciality OF annoy
Ing particular conductor, knowing that he
cannot leave his car to pursue them. Spe-
ciai officers may then ride backward and
forward on the cars. or be stationed In the
particular vicinity sought to be covered,
and the little chaps should be chased until
caught.
THE public gives certain unwholesome
sympathy to a boy when they see hun
chased and caught by an officer. wrongly
contending that the officer should be In
better business than arresting boys And
yet, when these lads are caught under the
wheels OF car upon which they are tres
| passers, these same fault-dnding individ-
uals are the loudest IN their denunciatlon
of the police for not enforcing the city or
| dinances A great many regrettabe acci-
dents occur from this cause annually, many
boys are manned for life, and not few
killed outright Yet, strange to say the
| blame is usually placed upon the COM
panies.
IF simultaneous raids In different parts
| of the city were made upon these trouble
some kids the good accruing from their ar
rest should not be Offset by leniency be-
| ing shown them by the police judges. and
under no circumstances should they be re-
leased with only a reprimand- A fine 10
imperative to stop the practice, as We have
had boys released with judicial scolding,
only to return to their haunts and be ar
rested the very next day for the same OF
| Tense The boys will put up a cry in
| court, trusting to their tears and the prom
Use OF a parental whipping to get them out
| into the street again. Then they after
ward brag to their companions about hav-
| ing de laugh on de cops sympathy 10
| wasted in these cases"