The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-24
ROLLER SKATERS
GET A DRENCHING
Irate Resident Stops Use Of
Avenue as Rink.
POLICE RESERVES SUMMONED
Noise of Hundreds of skaters on
Rhode Island Avenue Disturbs All
ing Wife OF John NOOnan, Who AD-
plies Heroic Remedy-SmaII Riot
Follows Use of Garden Hose.

Capt. Robert f. Doyle OF the Eighth
police precinct, has ordered policemen
In mis- command TO prohibit skaters con-
gregating in Rhode Island avenue. be-
tween First and Third street northwest
where hundreds of boys and girls have
gathered each night for several months
and converted the thoroushfare into an
open-air skating rink.
The order is the result OF innumerabIe
complaints made recently by citizens re-
siding In Rhode Island avenue. culmInat-
ing on Friday night last in open war
fare, which assumed the proportions Of a
small riot before the arrival OF the police.
Boys and girls who have been using
the street as a skating rink declare IL is
Ideal for roller skating The street Is
about sixty feet wide, was recently paved,
and is seldom used by vehicles. High
school cadet companies were drilled
In the thoroughfare and the boys noticed
the unusual advantages the street offered
lovers OF roller skating.
FIocked from All Quarters.
Shortly after the opening OF high school
students began appearing in Rhode Island
avenue at night with skates and It was
only a few days before the youths were
accompanied by girls. The popularity Of
the street spread throughout the city
and in the course Of a month skaters
came from every section OF the District,
From a score or more of boys and
girls each night, the number swelled 70
hundred, and then I'm a few weeks jump
ed to 500 Persons living in the street
were annoyed by the roar OF the hum
ming rollers on the asphalt and the
shouts and laughter of the skaters pre-
vented householders from sleeping. The
police were asked TO act.
Capt Doyle visited the scene and was
surprised at the large throng. They ap-
peared to be sons and daughters of WELL
TODD citizens, and there was nothing un-
seemly in their conduct, except the
clamor Of a few hundred happy children
The police official studied the situation
from every standpoint, but could not ar
rive at a logical solution of the problem
lie wished to please the persons who had
complained to him, but he did not wish
TO displease the merry-makers-
Mrs. NOOnHn III.
II remained for John T. Noonan, who
lives at 13S Rhode Island avenue north
west, TO settle tho difficulty Mrs. Moo
nan has been III for days. and the din
near her home every night added to her
suffering. Her condition grew worse. and
she asked her husband II something could
not be done.
Noonan thought It over, but took no
action until Friday night, when there
were about a thousand girls and boys
skating up and down the street past his
home. He went into the street. looked
az the thrOng, and then reached a decI-
sion. Going into the cellar he procured
garden hose and attached # TO a
| hydrant in the front yard
Then he turned on the water. and q
long stream spouted from the end of
the hose. Noonan walked to the curb
! ing with the nozzle, and directed the
/ stream Of water at the skaters There
was pandemOnium.
Scores Of skaters were drenched before
they could reach a point OF safety. Pretty
girls, whose stylish costumes had been
damaged by the water, appealed TO their
stalwart escorts, and a crowd of youths
advanced on Noonan. who, when he saw
a conflict inevitable, retreated 10 the
safety Of his house.
Police Notified.
William c. Blundon. a contractor liv-
ing at Is Rhode Island avenue northwest
| bod 1,oorJ OF tho f11Dace % IA, .--t-,,