Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-19
CHAMPION OF QUIET
URGES REPRESSION
OF STREET CLAMOR
Philadelphia's Record for
Unnecessary Noise Draw
back to City, Says Civic
Committees Chairman.

Philadelphia has more unnecessary
noises than any other city, according to
Mrs. Imogen Oakley, chairman of the
Civic Clubs Committee on Noise.
The racket in this city. she afflrms. Is
OF a character which impairs health and
decreases the efficiency OF the people by
disturbing their peace and rest. especially
in the poorer districts. There is a crying
need of municipal legislation to prevent
useless noises in Philadelphia, according
to Mrs. Oakley
philadelphia is far behind nearly every
important city in it's laws to suppress
unnecessary noises" she said today.
Excepting our quiet zones near hospi-
tails and common schools. we have done
nothing to suppress the noises incidental
to the fat-wheeled trolley. the changing
advertising bell, the shrill yell Of the
street peddler and the dlscordant strains
OF untuned instruments playing ragtime
of pitch.
Industrial conditions are making It nee
essary for constantly increasing numbers
of persons to do their work at night.
dents OF the slums to help them to quiet
their nelEhborhood They complained
that they were bothered by unnecessary
noises from 1 a. m. to midnight.
1T is interesting to note that the COM
plants against the noises do not come
from residential districts where the COM
plants might be one TO nervousness and
hysteria. but from the poor. who must
have quiet to rest.
THE street organ. apparently. is the
most Objectionable OF the noises. Asser-
ton is made that the organ exists to pro-
vide amusement for children. 1t seems to
me the children could do much better
cared for on Fairgrounds provided by the
city than dancing to the tune OF hurdy-
gurdies. l am sure children In cities.
where the street organ Is prohibited by
law, are as happy as children here"
Mrs. Oakley said there is a common law
against nuisance which can be evoked In
extreme cases, but only at an expendI-
ture OF time and money impossible for
the poor. Her aim is to obtain the en-
actment here OF an ordinance for pre-
ventino of useless noises similar to those
In St Louis. New York. Washington, Bos-
ton. Buffalo Horrlstown. Detroit and
Cleveland. Thus will the parrot. the dog
or the talking machine. as we'll as the
bells and whistles used for advertising
street vender be no more. The automatic
piano is likewise placed under the ban of
useless noises.
Medical authorities are well agreed"
continued Mrs. Oakley. that noise is a
contributing cause In many diseases and
retards eonvalescence In every disease.
Doctor Blake, OF Boston. the greatest
aurist In the country, says when we rid
ourselves OF so much noise the percentage
OF ear trouble will drop. The ear must
have n certain amount of rest that II can
not get with so much unnecessary noise"
There is no sense OF our being disturbed
at every hour OF the day by the nerve
racing shouts of 'Iee" and "Strawber-
ries!" according TO Mrs. Oakley, and the
city should take steps to end the nui-
sAnee.
The hospitals are greatly In favor OF
the work being done to suppress useless
noises and say the zones OF quiet have
been valuable factors in expeditins the re-
coVery OF patients The Jeff ersOn and the
Howard Hospitals have been bothered
with the noises more than the average
hospital, and the Civic Club has them un-
der special consideration at the prest
time
It Is believed by many champions OF a
quiet city that the local option plan in
force in London would Mt in we'll here
When the Londoner takes exception 10
the noises OF the street, he hangs out a
sign "Venders and Hand Organs Prohlb-
tied by Order OF the City Council" 1t
is said that the sign stills the neighbour
hood.