The Washington times., 1921-08-17
WANT R0WD|ES
DRIVEN FROM
NINTH Street
disbursements Association Crit
icises Inattention Of Police
To Corner loafers.

lStoOS ~ Sh~S
To Corner Loafers.
Alleged inattention Of the police au-
thorities to rid Ninth street of mon
and women Of questionable reputa-
lions was severely criticised this
morning by tho members of the Ninth
Street Business Mems Association.
which was formed at the Strand The
ater. Ninth and d streets northwest.
1.-THE Bowery idea which has chung
to Ninth street" said #. M. Pelzman,
of the Fashion Shop, and who acted
as temporary chairman Of the meet
ing, must be eradicated. The bust.
ness men of Ninth street should get
together to elevate the business at
mosphers of the street"
Keynote OF Meeting.
This was tho keynote Of the meet
ing. Others who Joined the association
and women they termed "loafers," who
loiter on the street corners and in
front of the business houses. causing
embarra ssmont to persons who have
business in the street.
Some of the ablest business men
in the city have shops on Ninth
street." declared NJ. A. Leese, the op-
tician. when addressing the meeting
and spoke of the aims Of the associa.
ton Of business men.
But there Is strong objection to the
frequent the street and the police de
partment should take immediate
action to rid the street Of this objec-
tionable element.
Praise for Police.
q IA
shopping district. 1t should be prop
as soon as the association has been
completely organized that a committee
be appointed to wait on the District
Commissioners and demand that the
disorderly element be cleaned up"
Sidney B. Lust, of the Leader
Theater, took exception to the criti-
cism Of the police, declaring that he
had found those who patrol tho post
about his theater were doing their best
to clean up" Ninth street.
THE policemen are Handicapped"
said Mr.. Lust. because the District
has no vagrancy laws. They cannot
lock UP the men and women a. long
as they appear orderly. 1t would be
a good idea that after the association
has been formed. IL we appoint COM
mittee to have a talk with Major Cess.
ford, Superintendent Of Police, and
urge that he attempt to have Congress
pass a vagrancy bill"
Seek New Law.
Harry s. Fisher, jeweler. suggested
that a committee Of the organization
go direct to the District committee and
demand a law be passed which would
give the police authority to drive the
loiterers from the street corners.
There were about fifty Ninth street
merchants at the meeting. All Of the
business men were keen on joining
the association, believing that the
business men being united would be
able TO bring about better business
conditions to all concerned.
The association" said Mr.. Pelz-
man, has been organized principally
to encourage friendly business rivalry
among the merchants. Ninth street is
in its infancy and in a short time, with
all the merchants cooperating and
boosting, it should be one OF the big.
gest and most important shopping dis
tricts in the city. Millions OF dollars
have been invested in the street by the
merchants"
1t was also suggested that the mer-
chants paint up the fronts OF their
shops and to display more electric
lights.
Lets make Ninth street a great
white way-like Broadway, New
York." suggested Mr.. Lust
Sol Herzog. another prominent mer.
chant in the street, agreed with Mr..
Lust. He predicted a big future for
Ninth street.
Meets Every Month.
IT'S a street of great promises,
said Mr.. Herzog. with all Of us mer-
chants getting together frequently,
having luncheon occasionally, we
should make Ninth street Washing.
tons only shopping district. Let's all
pull together" His remarks were ap-
plauded, as all agreed with him.
Practically all of the biggest Ninth
street business houses were repre-
scented at the meeting.
The association is limited to firms
actually engaged in business In Ninth
street between Pennsylvania avenue
and New York avenue. 1t will meet
every second Tuesday OF every month.
Officers were not elected today, the
election taking place at the next meet.
ing Of the association.