The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-03-21
BLOW AT THE SPECULATORS
PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO RE- STRICT FIELD OF OPERATIONS.

Provides for Licensing Them and Pro-
 hibiting Them Selling on the Streets
 --Ex-Alderman Donovan Speaks
 Word for speculators and Scores
 Theater Managers-Petition to Li-
 cenae Newsboys Causes Much Dis-
 cussion-HacE Drivers Want Some
 Concessions.
 A strong effort is being made to curb the operations of ticket spectators in this city by the adoption of an ordi- nance to govern their actions These ordinances were given a hearing before an aldermanic committee last night. One section of the proposed ordinance provides for a license fee upon vendors and speculators of football tickets, and the second section prohibits the sale of these tickets on the streets and side- walks of the city.
 Attorney Elliott Watrous spoke very strongly in favor of the measure, and he presented the committee with a mass of evidence showing the evils re- sulting from the practice in New York city.
 Ex-Alderman Henry Donovan was opposed to any measures against the speculators, claiming that they should be allowed to make a living. He SCOT ed the managers of the theaters, and said that the real seat of all the troU- ble lay with them.
 A petition that all newsboys who want to sell papers on the streets after 10 o'clock at night should be required to have a license met with some favor. The petition is inspired by the police department, which finds difficulty in enforcing the present curfew law This law requires that no boy under four teen shall sell papers late at night. Many boys under this age continue the practice, but swear that they are of the stated age.
 Judge Mathewson, of the city court, said that he was sorry that the police were unable to enforce the present law, because 1t had been so well received by the citizens at the time of it's adoption, but he was in favor of the new meas ure If it would accomplish the purpose for which it was intended.
 A number of others spoke on the measure pro and con. Louis Leyerzapf, the probation officer, spoke in favor of giving the power of granting the li- cense, which should be in. the form of a numbered badge, to the supertntend- ent of schools. They could then be given as a reward for faithful work in school and could be revoked if the child fell behind in his work
 Alderman Homan suggested that the boys be required to obtain letters from their parents, certified to by the regis trar of vital statistics, James J. Carr, and to be shown whenever the police officer demanded. Judge Mathewson thought well of this plan.
 A large number of hack drivers were present to favor change in the city ordinance concerning public convey anees.
 Judge Mathewson spoke for the hack men. He stated that it was all right tc set fixed charges in the case of those men who solicited on the streets, who were receiving special privileges from the city, but he held that those who did business from private stable should not be ttlus hampered. He also argued that the latter should not be forced tc carry license numbers because there are many occasions, such as at funerals when it is not desirable.
 A proposed ordinance requiring the owner or manager of tenement houses to provide and maintain metal-covered cans for the reception of garbage, sub. ! ject to the regulation of the board oi health, was also discussed.