The Washington herald., 1911-03-12

Dens OF vice, where young men
and girls assemble and while under
the influence of drink are prompted
to commit acts of crime, abound in
Washington, according to allega-
tions made yesterday by Matthew
T. O'Bricn, attorney for Charles D.
Hickey, an eighteen-ycar-old boy,
who pleaded guilty to charge of
the theft of nearly $4,000 from his
aged friend, Francis Griffin, last De-
cember.
SENTENCE IS SUSPENDED.
The case was tried before Chief Justice
Ga ugh Friday morning, and, moved
by the pleas of Attorney OBrien, who
said his client had been inveigIed into
one of these places. namely, a resort in
n street northwest, sentence was sus-
penicd for further hearing.
Attorney O'Brien told the court that
Young Hickey had gone into a place
with two other Iads-James \. MaSruder
and Pen Enot-and had there planned
TO rob his henefactor of a large sum of
money, representing the savings of life
time. lie charged that through associa-
tions, generally older men and women Of
the underworld Hickey and his compau-
ions had been led astray and urged on
TO the robbery.
So impressed was Judge CIahaugh with
IL" lawyers pleading that he requested
~" District attorney. who had previ-
Ously demanded full penalty for the cul-
pri,. to ascertain if ST. Marys Reform
School. near Baltimore, would be a suit
ahl" place to send Hickey.
Mere lads are in the habit OF rem
deZvousi7S in this place and concocting
with girls schemes whereby they can OBJ
rain money for the purchase OF intoxi-
eating liquors, Mr. O'Brien said yester-
day.
Il Investigated fully when Hickey told
mo Of the reason he had turned thief.
and found his statements to bc largely
correct. can say with full knowledge
that t j. an everyday occurrence TO find
boys and girls Under the age limit for
the purchase OF drink engaging in
schemes that lead to crime and drinking
Until thcy lose every sense of deccncy
or morality. In the majority OF instances
the women egg the boys on. and they,
h"ins immature, do as their paramours
bid them.
1t was in one or these places that
!oUnG Hickey aud his companions srcnt
a large portion OF their spoils before
leaving for trip to Baltimore and Pitts
burg. Mr.. O Bricn said.
Able to Obtain Drinks.
II" inferred that many such places may
ho found in the National Capital. given
up to the Entertainment of boys and
girls. who. getting in solid" with the
prUprictors. arc able to obtain drink and
other concessions with immunity from the
police
1t was only few months ago when
th" rity WAS stirred 10y the announce
ment that yOui.G men, under twenty-one
and girls considerably younger, were able
Jn Obtain intoXirants with little difficulty
in cafes and drinking places. For weeks
special policemen were detailed at these
place and a man or woman who did not
look 10 bc OF sufficient age was closely
questioned hetor" being allowed admis-
lion. This police surveillance, it was
understood last night has largely been
done away with. with the seeming result
that the practice has again become in
\ OEue
Mai. Sylvester refused 10 discuss the
situation. When told Of the charges pre-
terred by Attorney OBrien, he became
impatient.
DO YOU know Of these places" Maj.
sylvester was asked
II have nothing to say. | do not recog-
nize the person or persons making the
charECS. Was the reply.