Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-23
USE OF ROLLER SKATES
PUBLIC HEARING AT THE DIS
TRIcT BUILDING TODAY.
Arguments For and Against Propos-
ed Police Regulation Relating to
Sidewalks as Kinks.

The amendment to the police regulations
to prohibit roller skating on sidewalks in
the District proposed by the Commits
sioners was The subject of public hear
ing at the District building today. More
than fifty persons were present and pre-
sented their views to the Commissioners.
Those who are in advocacy Of the pro-
posed regulation contend that this practice
Is dangerous one and that aged and
feeble pedestrians are subjected to in
furious assaults. The opponents contend
that it would be unjust and shameful
should the Commissioners deprive the chill
dren of such recreation and privilege. The
two sides We're about evenly divided as to
numbers
The first speaker was ]. II. Barnard. sos
Spruce street He stated he was in favor
to my place of business every morning."
Mr. Barnard said land / realize all the
ieniency that should be given to children
over the rights of older people, but l am
not willing to put with the danger and
inconvenience of roller skating on the side
walks Those who have opposed these pro-
posed regulations have based their obtec-
tons upon the claim that small children
will be deprived of their rights and pleas
ures,' but that Is not so. Grown men and
young men indulge in the practice more
than the small children 1 think the old
citizens should be given more consideration.
i would not protest If the small children
were the only ones who use the sidewalks
for skating.
In answer to a question by Commissioner
Mcfarland the speaker said numerous per-
sons have been knocked down and injured.
Last week was run into by two young
men as large as 1 am" he added, and al
though l was not thrown to the pavement
my hat was knocked off and 1 was bruised
and shocked"
Address in Opposition.
The first address in opposition to the pro-
posed regulation was made by Walter c.
Clephane. He said 1t would be bad judg-
ment on the part Of the Commissioners to
prohibit the practice and place such an I'M
just restriction upon the rights Of small
children. 1t is evident that it would be more
dangerous to the children to promuIgate
the regulation which would compel them to
use the streets than to the older pedes-
TRANS II the children were allowed to use
the sidewalks. Il cannot see why this right
should be taken away from the little Ones"
he remarked. They have few places to
play on now and i am sure 1t would not
be any too generous to allow them to use
the sidewalks. l think the arguments of
those advocating this regulation are over
rated and the practice Is not as dangerous
as you would be led to believe
II will be compelled to sell my house IL
this nuisance of skating on sidewalks is not
prohibited" Mrs. c. E. Matthews, of 1411
Lamont street announced. 1 have been
bumped and jostled so frequently that am
afraid to walk on the pavement. There is
a school nearby. and naturally our street
is used by large number of children. /
think this regulation should be put into
operation as soon as possible Some older
people are going to be fatally injured un-
less you act
~f-l.t
such regulation was questioned by H. B.
Lester a lawyer. The courts have de-
cided.' he said. that the children have a
right to play in the streets, and 1 imagine
the court would hold the same in relation
to the sidewalks. The children have so few
places to play, think they should not have
this little privilege taken away from them
Unless this nuisance Is stopped or re-
duced, j. w. Clendening. of 400 14th street.
said. Il think will be compelled to sell
my property and move to the country,
where there are no nice. smooth sidewalks
Why. l would rather have the old brick
sidewalks than these smooth ones which
have been turned into skating Kinks without
the permission of those who paid for the
parements. II Is a most dangerous prac-
tice, gentlemen, and should be Stopped"
Would Rather Have Brick Pavements.
Mrs. Toomb of 1912 22d street. the next
speaker. stated that the sidewalk in front
of her home has become a regular skating
rink. and that she has been run against
by skaters on more than one occasion and
that her grown daughter has met with the
same experiences. Mrs. Toomb added that
the SIDEWALKS are not only used by small
children. but by grown men and half-grown
boys, who make no attempt to avoid COL
llsions with pedestrians. She also remark
ed That she would prefer the old brick
pavements to the present smooth ones If
the latter are to be used as skating rinks
think property owners and taxpayers
who contributed toward these new and
modern pavements should have some say
In this matter" she concluded
1t would be crying shame for the Com
missioners to prohibit children using the
SIDEWALKS n,,e for skating purposes" Mr.. w.
one of the few places for recreation and
sport they now have. and it gives me much
enjoyment to watch them"
Others Express Views.
Others who addressed the Commission
ers We're F. II. Bernhard. NJ. l. Weller
James E. West, James NJ Moore, Mrs. l..
c. Gardiner. j. NJ. Wendall, John Baskit.
+. +. Wilson, Mrs. B. A. Lockwood DR..
Ralph Jenkins and DIR. William NJ Sprigg.
The physicians were opposed to the pro-
posed regulation because, they said chill
each eontended that skating is a healthful
exercise and should be encouraged instead
of discouraged
Superintendent Chancellor Of the public
schools was listener but refrained from
offering an opinion. However he Is op-
posed to the proposed regulation and in a
letter to the Commissioners yesterday
stated that IL they adopt the regulation
they will be adopting a principle of dis
School Superintendent's Letter.
The writer stated in the communication:
81 understand that a proposition has been
submitted to you for an ordinance prohib-
iting the use OF sidewalks by the children
on roller skates.
81 am interested in this matter for three
reasons all Of which seem to me important
Tin the first place. / find that in this
thickly bult-up city the children are de-
prived of space to play. and not only in
their yards. but. in many instances, In the
school yards. which are very small. In the
second place, / am interested as a parent
Of four children, who are forced to get their
recreation partly on the sidewalks. In the