The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-28
COUNCIL TO STOP
STREET NUISANCE
Holiday Custom Of Shooting
Cannon Crackers Won't Pre-
vail Next Year.
PUBLIC DEMANDS NEW LAW
Ordinance Being Framed to Pro-
hibit Sale and Explosion
of Fireworks.
PUBLIC DEMANDS NEW LAW

Because OF the disorderly nature of
the Christmas celebration in the matter
Of exploding fireworks in public streets.
an ordinance will be introduced in the
City Council to prohibit tho sale OF
cannon crackers and bombs of all kinds.
But the ordinance Will not stop there.
1t will prohibit tho firing Of these
crackers in the streets. and heavy
penalty will be put down for every
violation. Already tho measure has
been approved by citizens, by Council
men and by tho Police Department..
While there Is no desire to interfere
with the harmless pranks of the young
sters. tho nuisance has reached such q
point that 1t is necessary to bring
about change. Grown men were
guilty like the boys. They went about
town on Monday. flinging crackers in
all directions-right in the midst of
parties composed of women and chill
dren-without the least regard for pub
, lie safety. Several persons were in
jured In this manner, and several
fights resulted.
DisErnccruI Scenes.
AS the law now stands, the police are
powerlcss to deal with the nuisance
In Broad Street on Monday. for instance,
the largest crackers sold in Richmond
were lighted and thrown from win
dows. Tightening women and horses
and often making 1t dangerous for peo-
pie TO walk about The same disgrace
ful conditions prevailed elsewhere.
There is more drinking on Christmas
than on ordinary occasions, and this
simply added to the risk.
a member OF the Common Council
NnStaFhD, n \, ,,-, L. tt,.
Attorney Pollard to prepare an ordl-
nance to be introduced at the January
meeting to prohibit the sale of fire.
works and the explosion of fireworks
in the streets. y member of the Board
of Aldermen Is at work on a similar
| ordnance which is said to meet the
hearty approval of the Police Board.
with the sentiment which has been
aroused by the recent dcmonstra lions.
1t is almost certain that the ordinance
Will be adopted without opposition. II
VIII have a double effect, inasmuch as
1t VIII prevent the sale by merchants
and the street firing by men and boys.
Under the regulations now In vogue,
the "baby-wakcr" crackers are not sold
in Richmond, but cannon crackers on
the market are quite big enough.
Police Urged to Act.
| Il have been asked by more than a
! score OF people within tho past two
days If we could not stop these street
celebrations" said member OF the
Police Board yesterday. land the de-
| nnnd for moro strict Observance of
| the day Is still growing believe that
new law is needed, and l was graft
fled to-day TO learn that an ordinance
would be introduced in the City Council
| covering the two points-sale and cele-
bration. Unless that Is done. the evil
will continue to grow. and eventually
we will be forced to act after some
body is killed. Then the public Will
make its demands. The demands thus
far arc sufficient, In my opinion, ia JUS
tify action. Christmas nowadays Is
turned into a disorderly exhibition. and
while We can't deal with the public
| conscience. we can certainly stop this
| nuisance, and 1t will be done before
December 25 next"