Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-03-10
RAP CORONER'S
BLUNT REBUKE
TO PARENTS
Calling Playing in Streets
Criminal Neglect Stirs
Friends of Slain Boy.
FORMAL PROTEST MADE

Coroner Paul R. Robinson was
characterized as 'heartless" by
neighbors of Mr.. and Mrs. August
stoeffler, 3131 indianapolis avenue,
today.
His statement that the parent who
allows child to play in the streets
is guilty of criminal negligence
brought forth a formal protest from
the neighbors.
The statement was made after the
-year-old son of Mr.. and Mrs. Stoef-
fer was killed by a motor truck on
West Thirty second street. while hang
ing to the truck and coasting on roller
skates, Saturday afternoon, Nj and Mrs.
Stoeflcr have been 50 deenly affected
~ the coroncr's statement that they
demand an apology from him.
ANGERED By THREAT
or FUTURE POLICY.
They are particularly aroused by the
statement of the coroner that hereafter,
in accidents of this kind, where 1t is
shown the driver Of the motor vehicle
IS absolutely blameless, I am going TO
order the parents held by the police
and will ask the grand jury to investi-
gate
The coroner added: 'Tt is certainly
nothing more nor less than the greatest
criminal negligence for parents to allow
their children to play in the Streets
The blunt statement of the coroner is
? inexcusable, declared Harry W. Wall 1345
West Thirty first street, and himself the
father of six children.
hos k1a
est sympathy for Mr. and Mrs. Stoef1er, -
he said, "and feels that the least Coroner
Robinson can do is to send a letter of
.-sS2logy to Mr.. and Mrs. Stoef1ler
"YIS CHILDHOOD
DAYS FORGOTTEN"
1T seems that he has forgotten his
childhood days" Walls added, stating
that he voiced the sentiments of the
neighbors.
Would any parents be guilty of send
ing their children into the streets to
be murdered? ? Does Coroner Robinson
expect the parents to lay off from work,
or mothers to leave their babies at home
alone and take the older children back
and forth to school, or what does he
suggest to be done TO better conditions?
"In respect to Mr.. and Mrs. Stoeffler.
] will say there are no parents in the
q city VINO nave PROVIDED better play
ground than they have. In fact. their
yard is used by the neighborhood chill
dren. An inspection of this home will
back up my statement
II would suggest that the school board
notify all teachers Of public schools to
warn the children about staying on the
sidewalks while going to and from
school sespsciall al .street Crossings.
Also the police department could lend
a helping hand by warning children Of
any misconduct on their part"
- The Stoeffler boy was the third child
.#fatally hurt in street accidents in the
present month, and the fourteenth child
fatally hurt in the last twelve months.
NOTHING PERSONAL
IN HIS WARNING.
DR.. Robinson, when informed today OF
the feeling of the neighbors, said he
had not intended his statement as any
reflection upon Mr.. and Mrs. Stoefler.
1T wasn't meant for this family he
said, but I took this death and that of
the little boy killed by an interurban
as a warning to other parents to be
careful to keep their children off the
streets.
81 realize that people can't keep their
eyes on their children at all times, but
every effort should be made to keep
them from playing in the streets. I
have noticed Bellefontaine street and
Churchman avenue, particularly, in the
last few days. Sometimes there are so
many children playing In these streets
that it is difficult for a motor car to
travel"