The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-04
A QUESTION OF MOMENT.

The honorable board of aldermen of
the ancient city of New Haven, Conn.,,
have before them a very serious ques-
ton. 1t is no less than that of de-
termining whether roller skates are
vehicles or overshoes. Under the laws
and ordinances Of that city, vehicles
are not allowed on the sidewalks and
there's where the puzzle comes in.
Somebody has been complaining of
children skating on the sidewalks with
their rollers, claiming that the noise is
annoying to their peace of mind, and
that the things are dangerous. We do
not read that anyone has been run
over and smashed and otherwise dis
commoded, but certain 1t is that some
citizens have complained and the aid
ermen are working their brains over
time. If these skates are vehicles they
clearly have no more right on side
walk than a beer wagon has. but If
they should be classed as overshoes the
sidewalk is as free to them as to 9TH
ers.
What these city fathers want to do
is to set their thinking machines to
work and remember that children can
not be grown-up folks if they would,
and that they must enjoy themselves
some way. Such recollection" re-
marks the New Haven Register would
vastly help in settling the contention.
1t might be remembered, and If not
remembered, observed, that the live
youth, in whose veins course the red
blood of health, must go. Roller skat-
ing is a somewhat novel and highly
attractive method Of going. The rollers
are inexpensive nowadays, and side
walks are better than they used to be.
Hence the popularity of the sport. The
necessity that remains is to face the
facts fairly, and let common sense set
tie such contention as there is. I'm
less practiced in the streets itself the
sport is not dangerous. The rollers do
not hurt the sidewalks any more than
do shoe nails. The skaters make a
little racket, but not enough to hurt
anybody. They do not seriously get in
the way of pedestrians. And they have
an overwhelming right to live and
have their fun. They are annoying
sometimes, but they cannot in this re-
spect compare with some older per-
sons, sometimes. Let them alone"
To us it really seems like a trivial
matter to raise such bother about.
In the crowded business section of a
large city, where the sidewalks are
always crowded with people, it may
be all right to bar the roller skaters,
but out in the residence portions it
looks absurd to say that the children
shall not roll along on skates. Unlike
those of the country, the children OF
| the crowded cities have little enough
space or opportunity or sport and rec
reation, and 1t seems like unnecessary
| cruelty to shut them out from this
which is a pleasant and healthful ex-
ercise. Let them roll, we should say
| and enjoy themselves in the years when
enjoyment is possible for time will
| come soon enough when they will nc
| longer enjoy children's things. The
ordinary rollers, with the weight of q
small child on them. can do no rea
injury to a well built sidewalk, and
| the noise they make, unless it is In the
immediate vicinity of the sick. is no,
enough to justify their Punishment
And If the little folks are not allowed
to enjoy themselves in this way they