Evening star., 1911-01-30
STOP SALE TO BOYS
Crusade Against Storekeepers
Under Cigarette Law.
ONE DEALER is ARRESTED
Schoolboys Of Nine and Ten Admit
Making Purchases in Ninth
Precinct.

Capt John Daley OF the ninth precinct
has just started on a crusade against cer-
tain stores in the vicinity of schools OF
the northeast section. He made the state
nient today that tho number Of very small
boys who have been able to obtain ciga-
rettes is tremendously large. Ono Of
Capt. Daley's prime exhibits is an under
sized nine Sear-old hoy, who has formed
tie cigarette habit to the extent that his
fingers are frequently stained. The man
who sold this little boy cigarettes has
been warned to go out of the business OF
selling tobacco to children or the heaviest
penalties that can be accumulated against
him will be put into effect.
Miss Yoder, a teacher of the seventh
grade in the EdmondS school, because sus-
piciouS that some of her fourteen-year-
olds were getting the cigarette habit A
canvass Of her class brought out the fact
that twenty-One out OF tWenty-Six OF her
boys smoked and had no difficulty i'll buy
ing cigarettes anywhere in the neighbor-
| hood III spite of the United States statute
on the subject. Miss Toder took the bull
by the horns and called on the Commits
sioners to stop the sale of cigarettes in
/ the neighborhood Of her school at least.
One Dealer Arrested.
Capt Daley was Informed of the mat
10th and c streets northeast, sold ciga-
rettes to schoolboys. and after arresting
him made this report to Maj. Sylvester:
II detailed Private c. B. Elliott to in
vestigate this complaint. He interviewed
several of the pupils OF the Ddmonds
school, who infgormed him they purchas-
| cd cigarettes and tobacco at the store OF
age from ten to fourteen years. Private
!! Elliott procured warrants for the arrest
of the proprietor"
The captain and this storekeeper had a
talk in the police station, which resulted
in the storekeeper's promise to obey lie
law in the future. He also left $40 col
lateral and did not go to court.
The father of one of the young smok-
ers heard of the affair and grew very
wrathy about 1t, and had the storekeeper
arrested on another warrant, which re-
suited in the payment OF another f1ve-
dollars in collateral, which was forfeited
in the Police Court.
A very small boy, not over eleven years
old, was seen putting on cigarette by +.
G. Eimball, supervising principal of the
seventh division. Mr.. Kimball wrote a note
to Capt. Daley, after an investigation.
which told the police that the boy was
able to get all the cigarettes he wanted
at certain grocery store.
Threw Out His Stock.
The time, place and price of tobacco on
the most recent sale were jotted down as
evidence to confront the proprietor. He
held up his hands and swore 1t was the
clerk who sold it. Capt. Daley, however,
told the grocer that the boss was respon-
sble for the clerks action and made him
pay over three dollars collateral. Later
in the day the grocer, disguised with the
whole affair, threw out his entire stock
of cigarettes and tobacco.
Would Amend Liquor Law.
Maj. sylverster favors the enactment
of more stringent law regarding the
sale Of liquors to minors.
THE law should prevent minors from
entering drinking Places, the superin-
tendent of police said to Star reporter
today, land much Of tae evil intendea
to be guarded against would he pre-
vented"
Maj. Sylvester favors the general pro-
visions of the law OF Grand Rapids,
Mich, which places the burden of re-
sponsibility upon both the minor and the
saloonkeeper. The city council of Grand
Rapids by vote Of 10 to 5 passed the
ordinance making 1t a misdemeanor for
a minor to enter a saloon
While Maj Sylvester is not familiar
with the details of the ordinance passed
in Grand Rapids. he thinks such law
would be a good thing in this city. His
idea is that the law would not interfere
with parent or guardian accompanying
child to restaurant, but IT would
put a stop to the serving OF liquor to
many young men under age, and 1t would
keep children engaged in selling mer-
chandise out Of saloons.
The present liquor law. Maj. Sylvester
thinks, is defective. in that 1t contains
the word knowingly" There is no need
for that word in the law, states the chief
of police, and it should be stricken from
the law.