Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-14
WILLIAM 3. MILLS
On Christmas Crowds

ClIlLDREN whose tight grip on mother
~ hand is likely to be loosencd by visions
of Kriss KrngleS, with their white beturrcd
red coats, and who lose themselves in the
Christmas crowds: shoppers who are un-
accustomed to the crowded downtown stores
and are ignorant of the pickpockets and
thieves who lurk there to prey on them
wagons bearing Christmas parcels which are
sought after by petty robbers. are rev OF
the cares which are thrust upon the police
force during Christmas time.
Eve always figure on II 20 per cent III
crease in the crowds of pedestrians ana III
street traffic in the downtown or central sec
ton of the city during the days preceulns
and Immediately following Christmas, says
Superintendent Of Police Mills.
special instructions are given to all the
reserves and other policemen stationed IN the
central section of the city, yet 1t Is neceS-
sary, as well. that people who come down
town TO do their Christmas shopping realize
the abnormal conditions and do all that they
can to help us in looking after themselves
Organizs Drive on Crooks
An organized drive is made by the police
force and the city detectives to round UP al
men with Il criminal record who are iounn
lettering through the crowds on the SMcetS
and in the stores, said Captain MilS. lh"Sc
MON have made criminal records in the past
are known to the police and they cannot
have the same liberties as honest, law'aoid-
inc citizens. They know that they are con,
stantly being watched by the police ana mat
they are regarded with suspicion whcn thcy
annear among the Christmas shoppers our
aim is to place them where theS Gun oo ho
harm during the holidays.
Lost children are one of our greatest
cares during this period of the year. Many
wander downtown from their homes alone.
lurcd there by the pictures in IN" papers OF
santa Claus or remembering the sights they
L.t hnH
fused in the dense crowds until picked up by
some traffic officer and brought to City Hall.
Often during n single day Mrs. Margaret
Cooner the matr0n of the central district.
has n day nursery of fifteen or twenty KIDS
whiting for their parents to call Tor thein'
Tho departmcnt stores are great help to
thc Police Department In looking after the
Youngsters who become stranded from their
II,othCrs or fathers in the stores, as they,
too, have their children'S clearing houses.
"Another or our worries are the great
numbers of men who are constantly on the
lookout for a wagon containing parcels that
hovc been left for moment by its driver,
Tn;,rtIcss paCknges mostly Christmas pres
ents are lost in this manner. Nor" care
shOrld be taken by drivers and delivery men
that they do not leave their wares out OF
sight for single second
Few Fake Charities
Parking privileges. for motors are made
| o,,on more stringent during the holiday rush
| oocorIinp 10 the superintendent Of police, IL
| Lar that every one who has car may D,
onohIed TO get downtown and to leave his
| oor In the vicinity of the store or Office he
,ishas 10 visit. Otherwise "street hogs,
WI" Ieoyo their cars all day in one spot
,r"m,d make it impossible for others to ge
| into the center of the city with their ma
| chimes.
.'Then there are the takers with thei
| ,;,re stands" continued the captain. "FO
| thc last few years the Police Department
! hos made n rule that no one shall be per
mitted TO set up a stand along the curb, bu
those who place their stands against build
| ;"g, are not under the jurisdiction of tn
| n"Iice but rent their spaces from the owner
| - tho buildings II Is necessary to see tina
| thesa men do not clutter up the sidewalks
Asked whether the police are troubled T.
NV extent with INSCRIPTIONS persons VIII
Gisguise themselves as Santas and other col
| Ioctors TO take money away from bencvolen
| neonIe who think they are giving to worth
noWsa Cautain Mills replied that there ar
oTr a few instances of this and that the
o,o detcctrd for the most part by the rep
"asentatiyes Of the authorized agencies /
rhnsc uniforms they are Disgusting them
I'VE also try to control the speed of auto
mobiles during this season, as there are s
many shoppers who are unaccustOmcd to tn
crowds and who become nervous and los
their heads when attempting the stree
crossing.
1T would make very material diffcrcnC
in the Christmas rush il shoppers would tr