Evening journal., 1921-06-09
CURFEW URGED
in CITY COUNCIL
continued from page one)

continued from page one)
Hence. the question will become
legacy for the new Council to de-
bate.
More than one hundred and fifty
earnest men and women attended
last nights hearing. forming what
probably was the largest body Of
citizens that has appeared before
Council this year.
Time and again the thought was
emphasized that any curfew ordi-
nance which might be passed should
put the responsibility for boys and
girls being on the streets late at
night upon the shoulders Of the par
ents and not upon the children. An
outline OF an ordinance was sub
mitted TO Council. This. IL adopted.
would exclude children under 16
from the streets at night unless ac-
companied by parents or guardian.
but provides no penalty for failure
to observe its provisions.
Mrs. j. Edward Wilson. president
OF Alert Branch. international sun
shine Society, served as chairman OF
the delegation urging the ordinance,
and introduced the speakers. Coun-
gilman Alexander r. Abrahams was
the presiding officer. Mrs. Wilson
told Of how she had spoken on the
curfew In fourteen schools OF this
city and how the children them
selves had promised their support
and cooperation. She then called on
the Rev. W. A. Vrooman. pastor OF
the First Unitarian Church, 70 speak.
"As a minister and social worker
have noticed that most boys and
girls who go wrong come from fam
lilies where they have been allowed
TO run the streets at night" said
Mr.. Vrooman. The difficulty 70
be voiced in a curfew Is that
OF keeping II out OF a class with
the old blue Sunday laws. II should
be in the nature Of a warning bell
and should be an instrument Of moral
education. In case OF it's violation
children should not be brought into
court by the police but the parents
should be dealt with. The biggest
part OF improving the coming gem
Grafton is TO improve the parents"
Children Begging at Night
Mrs. George w. Dorsey Della
ware State president OF the In.
ternational Sunshine Society said
she had seen children begins
late at night in front OF the railroad
station here. She urged that par.
ents be compelled TO do their duty
by their children.
There are parents who would moi
send their children to school IL Il
were not for the law OF compulsor,
education" said she. IT these par
ents will not keep their children on
the streets at night make a Law
compelling them to do So"
Mrs. Blanch Reed told Of the habi
OF many parents OF going to bed ans
leaving their front door open for tn,
children, who were allowed to COM
in when they pleased. She sal,
that she had seen children OF IL o
IL years OF age on the street late a
night talking 10 disreputable char
acters.
I'VE need a curfew law and w
need a stringent one" she said.
IF we are going to have a curfev
law we had better get Il quick" sal.
Mrs. Jackson, matron OF the Indus
trial Home for Colored Girls. VIII
spoke in place OF Mrs. J. b. Stubs
who had been scheduled to speak 4
behalf OF the colored women's club:
She told OF deplorable condition
among colored girls OF tender year,
Charles +. Ernest. Of the Com
munity Service. said that a distinc
ton should be made between IN
child in the residential section an
the child In the business section. II
said that the former would be pro
tected by It's neighbors. He disap
proved OF the fact that the violatio
{ OF the law would get the child
I name on the police records.
The Rev. Thomas j. sar
said he thought Il would be
D mistake TO make distinction be
F, tween the business section and IN
{ residential section. as many children
s who wanted to be out late. woul
= "sneaE into the section which woul
make them Immune from arrest"
Mrs. Dorsey suggested that som
kind OF a system similar 10 IN
Y method OF dealing with children VIII
play truant could be arranged. whic