Evening journal., 1922-01-16
FOUR Streets
FOR COASTING
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other coasting places on the east
side which would be safe. but found
it virtually impossible 1t was con-
extremely dangerous to all
low coasters to cross French street,
owing to the large amount of motor
traffic on that thoroughfare. and east
of French street there are few grades
aside from Tenth street sufficient to
make coasting feasible.
The conference was begun at IL
o'clock in the Office of Mayor Harvey
in the Public Building. Those at
tending it were Mayor Harvey, Police
Superintendent George Black, City
Engineer Harry L. Maier. Street Sup
erintendent Frank w. Pierson, Park
Superintendent Edward r. Mack,
Louis A. deBlois, representing the
Delaware Safety Council; Frank A.
Greenhawk, Executive of the Boy
Scouts and Charles F. Ernst, direc-
tor of the Wilmington Community
Service.
Knotty problems were met at the
outset Of the discussion. Chief Black
frankly stated that so far as the
plan to set aside streets concerned
the public, he thought the plan was
a step in the wrong direction" He
urged that coasting be confined to
the city parks, and raised the ques-
ton as to who would be respon-
sible in event of an accident and in
jury to coasters or other persons
frta
when the sport was forbidden on the
city streets by ordinance Of City
Council.
II the directors OF Public Safety
were willing. Chief Black added, he
would be willing to supply patrol
men necessary to police the hills
designated. As TO supplying rope,
he said the police department could
not we'll afford to cut up the
quantity 1t has on hand for roping
off streets when parades are held or
in case Of fire, as it would ruin the
cord.
Mr.. Pierson suggested that clothes
line and red lanterns would be suf-
ficient and offered to supply the
lanterns. He also said he believed
that Boy Scouts could be depended
on to watch the ropes and lanterns
at street intersections. To this latter,
Chief Greenhawk demurred.
you can't depend on the Scouts
for guarding the hills" he said, "for
the simple reason that they are boys
themselves and viii want to coast
themselves.
Mr.. Pierson said that the street
cleaners we're unavailable because
they were employed until in the
afternoon. and were tired after their
days work. Mr.. Mack said he be-
lieved some Of the park employees
could be utilized. Mr.. Ernst said he
was confident that people residing
in the neighborhood OF the hills
would aid as their own children
would be the ones most likely to be
in need OF protection.
There was a lengthy discussion OF
various hills. The incline on Gilpin
avenue from Union to Rodney
which had been suggested, was
dropped on recommendation OF
Chief Black, who pointed out that
it passed directly by a fire house
It also was decided that Tenth
street from French to Poplar was
safer than Eleventh street from
King to Walnut.
Mayor Harvey provoked smiles by
exhibiting a scar on the left side OF
his head, which he remarked he
had received in his youth. White
coasting down Seventh street, he
rammed a telegraph pole at TIE cor.
nor of French.
$50 you see know something oi
the dangers OF coasting, although
he said. If we can find a way tC
protect the coasters 1 am for Il
heartily"
Here Mr.. Pierson proposed Mr.
Ernst as chairman to map out def.
mite plans for guarding the streets
selected for coasting, and with au.
thority to call on any or all of those
attending the conference to assis
/ him. Mr.. Pierson volunteered to dc
"police" duty on the first night thai
the coasting plan should be oper.
ated.
Nomination Of Mr.. Ernst was
/ Informally voted unanimously
Well" he remarked, "if I am going
to be chairman. I'm going to try tC
be a real one and If cali on you
want to be assured you will re.
spond." His co-conferees gave theii
/ assent.
Heretofore the hours OF coastinl
suggested have been from 6 to 10 p
m. Mayor Harvey pointed out tina
this would not give the smaller chill
dren much opportunity to sled 81
the hours were made from to II
o'clock.
1t finally was decided to try on
the plan Of guarding the hills desig
mated by stretching clothesline an,
hanging red lanterns at street inter
sections, and see how It works. Co
operation Of the public will be need
ed to make the scheme a success
and the members Of the conference
decided to hold another meeting OF
the day following the next goo'
coasting night.