Evening journal., 1914-06-20
Peoples Column
MISS HOWLAND's PROTEST..


70 the Editor OF THE EVENING
JOURNAL
sir,-Mrs. Gulielma Maria How
land' my honored mother, was killed
by a noy on roller skates at Eighth
and West streets, in November, 1900.
4 AT least, she was thrown down, broke
ner nip, made brave fight for her
life, fingered a few months ana, after
enduring great agony, passed into
eternal life in March, 1907. She was
"a Years old, but had all the Joy of
living a young girl Of sweet six
teen" might possess. We fought for
her life and would gladly have kept
her with us--a helpless cripple. We
were too much overwhelmed with
grief to prosecute the boy. Our
mother was greatly loved and re-
soected.
For time the ordinance prohibit
ing children from using the pave
ments for roller-skating was obeyed.
1912 and 1918 drew around. Greater
and more daring violations Of the law
grew apace 70 my gentle, personal
admonItions came loud laughter and
calls Of "Suffragette"! were the
response, and renewed efforts to
RUN ME DOWN.
Between children skating on side
walks. automobiles in the streets. and
wicked men, lying in wait in lonely,
delicious spots in the woods, / was,
indeed, between the devil and the
deep seal"
| sought redress at the hands of the
law. | appealed to the Police Com
mission, the Chief Of Police. the Judge
Of the Juvenile Court and the Proba-
ton Office, during two years No re-
dress!
On June I narrowly escaped be-
ing run down by boy with q push
cart opposite City Hall.
1 yield the palm" to no one in my
love for children and my desire for
their highest spiritual. physical and
mental growth, although, have
never worn the Grown Of Mother
hood" ! set play above books,
though, from earliest childhood
book lover" and, at one period Of my
life. dubbed a book worm"
The whole matter is difficult
problem. A young mother-a widow
with five splendid boys, alive to their
finger -tips-cannot feel comfortable
to allow them to range at will along
the Brandywine No playground
near, their only resource is the
street
'FORBIDDEN!"
asked: What would you sug.
gest?" She replied: Tear down the
entire block between Orange and
Tatnall streets, and Ninth and Eighth
streets and give it to the children"
A portion Of this block is a menace
TO public health, by reason Of un-
sanitary condition, also, endangering
surrounding property, of great value
by danger from fire, a large part OF
1t being of frame houses. The pro-
Derty along Ninth street is improving
RAPIDLY, and is OF great business
value. would suggest that we be
satisfied to stop at alley breaking the
block.
We need dozens Of new play
grounds j am confident that pos
terity will applaud any burden we
place on it for any purpose of beauty
or health.
In July. 1907, God took to Himself
a noble woman, born in this city in 1
1923. She, in early life, gave up the /
man of her heart. at her fathers re-
quest, because of intemperance. But !
she seemed as broad and sweet as
those who have known the precious /
title Of wife and mother" Her
home and garden were really hall /
lowed ground by reason Of her godly /
religious and sober life There were 4
noble trees in her garden that not /
the wealth OF a Rockefeller could !
nave placed there. Roses tended by
her sainted mother that would have
blessed generations or childish hearts