The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-02
WOODS STIRRED OVER
RAIDS ON CITY PARKS
Dra9net ut Bryant square Not
Authorized by Him, Says
Commissioner.
ONLY 80 ARRESTS ORDERED
These Men Had Been Watched
and Reported n Profess
>ional Panhandlers.

Tho arrest Of 40 men and ono woman
early yesterday in Bryant Park 10y de-
tectyes from Police Headquarters on the
charge that they were ha1itual mendi-
cants and were making a lodging house
out OF tho par, has met with the diaap-
prevail OF Police Commissioner Woods.
According to the Commissioner detec-
tNcs have been keeping close watch OIL
the park for the past three weeks as the
result of q number of complaints that
hOboes. loafers and professional hcggar5
were nllCsting the public. Tho dctec-
tives were ordered to watch individuals
and follow them 10 md out which ONES
made a living from "pAuhlndliug About
forty such reports nave been turned I'm,
said the Commissioner.
Tho raid was planned in part by Com
missioner Of Charities kinssburN and
Superintendent Whiting II tho Municipal
Lodging House. Commissioner Woods
doos not find fault with them. When
h, heard that the detectives had DIS
turbcd the peaceful slumOers of al per
sons and taken them to Headquarters and
later to the GorkVilio police court he WAS
amazed at the large number flc knew
that arrests were TO b. made. but Ito
thought the detectives would limit them
selves to the forty men mentioned Ia The
reports.
Il was surprised at the number ~
arrests" hc said. The detectives through
OvorEealousnoss not only arrested tho
forty men reported to me but they gain
cred in many moro who had perfect
right iu the park There WAS consider
able misunderstanding ard the whole af-
fair warrants an investigation
Among those who were rushed into
patrol wagons and taken ~ Headqua rtcrs
aud Ms .IupGg Walsh If 1Oa
Lexington avenue. who We're returning
from a visit to friends and who had sat
down ON = bench Tor few minutes to
rest Fht Walshs were indignant AZ their
arrest and were given their freedom At
Headquarters.
Frederic Pauls,u. ~ years old, son OF
an engineer In ihc Brooklyn navy yard.
who ran away FROM Nhoue a week ago
and Who has been sought by the police
AZ the request Of his father, was picked
UP in The motley crowd. He said he was
willing TO 90 homo and he was turned
loose
Magistrate Campbell in the Yorkvllle
police court did not approve of tho whole
sale arrests and not a prisoner was held.
Two old men were sent to the wurkhUusc
at their own request. The Mag strate
SAID the matter could have been handled
in some less stern way The really rough
element could lie arrested. he said.
when the men were brousht before him
ne turned to Lieut.. Hamme who was in
chaEge,ot the detectives. and asked
"Did these men have their breakfast
Not that | know Of" answered Ham
mel
ut rs pretty near noon now said the
court. land the men have been In custody
Of the city since shortly after midnight
There should be some provision to foej
prisoners
Tho majority OF them were held ov.
until The afternoon session ~ court and
they received big meal in the court
prison
Mayor Mitchell had this to say when
asked concerning the raids In Bryant and
Madison square parks.
"rhc city iG doing the best It can under
the circumstances t. take care of IN,
unfortunate particularly tho unemployed
There is a Municipal Lodging House fol
those who havc no other place to sleep
and don't think that the city parks ovel
wcrc intended for buns and hoboss, hui
instead are meant for those who want tt
20 there 70 take a rest"