Evening journal., 1922-01-14
COASTERS MAY
GET STREETS

Scouts; Carlton T. Brigham, OF the
Delaware Safety Council Superin-
tendent Mack, OF the Park Depart
ment; Charles F. Ernst, of the Will
mington Community Service, and a
representative yet to be named, OF
the City Water Department. which
has control OF Cool Spring Park, in
which much coasting Is done.
Letters were sent out today by
the Community Service to the presi-
dents Of the neighborhood associa-
lions Of the city, asking them 20
name committees to cooperate with
the officers who will be named to po-
lice the coasting places in their re-
spective neighborhoods 50 that the
greatest enjoyment may be had with
the least possible chance Of acci-
dent"
Admitting that the numerous sled
ding accidents during the past few
days warranted some action towards
stopping coasting on the hills in
( this city or closing the thorough
fares intersecting the streets on
which children are coasting. Police
Superintendent Black today said he
was powerless to do anything in the
matter. Speaking OF the plan to
rope on street intersections. Super
intendent Black said:
AT the present time the police
department owns rope enough to
close twelve city blocks. and II this
is cut to provide rope for the street
intersections, II will be useless for
parade or other purposes.
Even IL the city did own enough
rope, he added, ''it would be a prob
lem to have men doing police duty
sending in reports hourly as they do,
neglecting their duty to place OF re-
move the ropes"
superintendent Black said that
with the closing OF the street cross
ings Il would be necessary to have
men stationed there at all times in
order that the ropes could be re
moved to allow FIRE apparatus and
ambulances to cross.
According to superintendent Black
the only safe place for children and
grown-ups to coast is in the parks,
where there are no trolley car
tracks or dangerous crossings
The movement to set apart GER
tain streets or hills for coasting real
ly had its inception last winter. and
plans were made TO carry IL out
Unfortunately, not enough snow fell
on January 81, 1890, Josiah Mar
vel sent a letter to the Street and
Sewer Department, saying that as
there was no sport which "ap-
pealed more strongly to youth than
coasting," he believed 4 feasible "a
close certain. streets for certain dis
tances during a period when coast
ing was possible. He then suggest
ed that II the department should Sc
lect proper streets and arrange ia
close them, perhaps the Police De-
partment could arrange for guard.
ing the streets by notices or other.
wise so as to protect the children.
On January 20. Street Com.
missioner Pierson informed Mr.
Marvel his communication had beer
. considered by tho department anC
d mat City Engineer Maier and him.
self had been named to confer with
the police department on the sub
ject
A conference was held between
Park Superintendent Mack, Chief
Greenhawk OF the Boy Scouts, Po-
lice superintendent Black and
Messrs. Maier and Pierson. at which
arrangements were made to rope on
and close the streets already emu
merated to the office, from and
10 p. M, each day, except Sunday
whenever there was good coasting
It was provided that each loca-
ton should be policed by one regular
officer, assisted by a troop Of scouts
The streets were to be roped of be-
tween the points designated and
warning signs and guards stationed
at the intersections.