Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02
MOVE ON, POLICE SAY
Order Eleven Houses in Dis
reputable Section Closed.
THEY MEAN BUSINESS, TOO
But as Yet No General Raids Have
Been Planned.
THE WORK HAS JUST BEGUN
Until Pedestrians, Street Car Patrons
and Others Have No Com
plants to Make.
The WORK HAS JUST BEGUN

--~
Occupants Of eleven houses in the dis
reputable section of the city were notified
by the police last evening to abandon the
vice traffic or move.
Capt. Williams and Sergt. lee of the
first precinct served the notices in person.
and gave the women to understand that
they must obey.
More than eighteen months ago the
police called upon the occupants of the
same houses and instructed them to be
prepared to move in thirty days. but the
instructions then were not imperative. At
that time the police did not follow their
warning with an order to quit but last
evenings order must be obeyed.
The notices were served upon three
white and eight colored women. nine of
the houses being in 1871 street and two in
street. The occupants Of the several
houses were expecting the visit. having
read of the decision reached by the local
authorities. The women promised to va
cate before September 1.
Whole Section Uneasy.
Soon after the notices were served other
residents of the section learned of the
action of the police and became uneasy.
1t was rumored that all the occupants
OF the houses in that section would have
to go, and the women became alarmed
over the situation, some of them going to
the first precinct police station and others
to police headquarters to learn lust what
was to be done. Some of the women
had heard that general raid had been
planned for last night, but they were told
That the police entertained no such idea
They were informed that the only move
thus far determined upon was one which
was designed to close direputable places
along 1917 street between G and D streets
and two houses in D street directly op-
posite the Municipal building. Nine Of
the eleven houses affected by the order
are on the line of the Mount Vernon cars,
but the order did not affect the houses
on the line of the cars east of 1871 street.
The police say that most Of the COM
plants about the disreputable section Of
the city have been about 1917 street.
where crowds of loafers have been in
annoyance to patrons of street car lines
and others. 1t is the intention Of the
police to make the order of yesterday ap-
ply to the houses along D street east of
before this is done. The Commissioners
and police are determined that the
patrons of the street car line shall be
protected. Under present conditions
cars ITOIl across tHo river are BOm0Iln0S
compelled to stop near the corner of 18th
street, the passengers leaving them d.
rectly in front Of some of the objection
able houses.
idea Of Authorities.
Last night, after the notices were served
on the occupants Of the eleven houses, it
was with difficulty that persons in other
houses could be made to understand that
M v>Io To 10 r,hol rof ho1
been formulated. 1t is said that the au-
thorities do not contemplate taking any
action which will cause the Objectionable
women to scatter about the city and &C.
cupy homes adjoining those of respectable
persons Some years ago such a move
was started, but it was soon abandoned.
1t is now the intention Of the authorities
to have those who are forced to move
during the present month find quarters
in the same section Of the city, If possible.
and not to move to other sections. Should
the present move prove successful the
police will then give the occupants of the
D street houses an opportunity to find
other premises.
Corner loafers were not so plentiful
In the section just south of PennSyl-
vania avenue as was the case a week
ago. Many of the colored men who have
been in the habit Of spending their
nights about ", D and c streets came
from the brick yard region of Alexan-
dria county, Va. and other points across
the river, and when ordered to move
on" their excuse was that they were
waiting to board the cars at 1914 and
c. streets, the late Alexandria cars stop
ping to take on passengers at that point.
Last night the visitors to that section
we're on hand earlier than usual, fearing
the police might interfere with them
later and keep them on the move, and
their anticipations were realized.
No Crowds Permitted.
Capt Williams remained at the station
later than usual last night. Lieut.. Hartley
also being on duty. Sergt. Lohmann and
a number of policemen were also on the
beats, covering the section under fire. No
crowds were permitted to congregate on
street corners, nor were intoxicated men
allowed to sleep on the curbs or on lum-
Der piles. Everybody was kept on the
move during the late hours of the night
and early hours Of the morning, the work
of the police being a protection to posi-
BILE victims OF thugs and foOtpads. The
police believe that the keeping away of
many idlers will reduce the number Of
robberies committed in that section.