The Washington times., 1922-11-05
PAID
MEMORY Of
MRS. HEARST
Aid to Children Flower Sellers
Of San Francisco Re-
called by Women.
HAD ORDINANCE REScINDED
Poem Suggested by Mother OF
Publisher Moved Council to
Help Poor Families.
By Universal service.

By Universal Service.
BERKELEY, Calf, Nop. 4.-l
Under the title of "Mrs. Hearst and
che floWer children" a recent Mum
Der of the "UmVersitp Of California
Chronicle" reteHs a heart-warmlng
incident which occurred in San
Francisco and which WdS typical Of
the phiianthropic dctiUit'es Of the
late Mrs. Phoebe Apperson Hearst.
The issue IN vhich the story dp-
peared Wds depOted largely tOI
articles about Mrs. Hearst aud cds
published under the auspices Of the
soomen whO constitute the Phoebe
Hearst Memorial Committee. The
article toitoi0s:
An incident that illustrates the
typically instant response Of Mrs.
Hearst to every appeal to her warm
human sympathies occurred in the
late eighties.
The supervisors of San Francisco
had, at the instance of the large
flower stores, enacted an ordinance
prohibiting the peddling of flowers
on the street corners by any per-
sons who had not taken out the
prescribed So per quarter license
and requiring the arrest OF Of
tenders.
Mrs. Hearst's Suggestion.
This measure cuts off the gains |
of the newsboys and many other |
small children. the sale of whose |
tiny wares was much-needed re-
lance of many a humble south of
Market street home. An immediate
wave of Indignation swept over the
city.
At the suggestion Of Mrs. Hearst |
the following lines were written by |
q member of the Examiner staff, |
published in that paper and by her |
handed in person to the chairman |
at the next meeting Of the board Of
supervisors.
He read them to the board.
A few moments Of dead silence !
followed their reading and then the |
originator of the ordinance himself |
arose and with tears running down !
his cheeks moved the resembling of
the mea sure, which was unanimous
ly voted.
GUILTY"
"Well. Officer 451,"
Said the chairman of the board,
"You're charged with duty untitled.
AS this does not accord
With your record up to date,
Well hear what you've TO say
In your defense before we take
Your credit marks away"
TITS because OF this ordinance"
The stalwart bluecoat said.
"The one against the little tots
that try to earn their bread
hn bids u,ifh coll
That on the corners stand.
You've noticed them. Your Honor,
A half-starved little band?
"Poor waits from wretched homes
that would
A miser's heart make sore.
With only their small hands 10 keep
Starvation from the door.
Do when the word to move 'em on
And run 'em in to fine.
In case they didn't quit the trade,
Was passed along the line
We felt know did for one
No stomach for the job.
Twas too much like the skulking
Who tries the fold to rob:
And as for the big dealers,
Whose greed has caused II all.
I've nabbed n score OF sneak thieves.
But none with souls SO small.
. swell, tried to keep the corners
clear.
Or tried TO think did.
Till late one night | found child
That in a door was hid:
He wouldn't move-two punches
OF flowers he'd vet unsold.
And so / had to run him in,
A mere tot blue with cold,
"f took him in my arms. where soon
The poor mite fell asleep.
But err he did he sobbing put
Within my hands to keep
His little store OF nickels.
Please. officer said ne.
When I'm in jail take mamma
She's sick. and wants her tea
"1 don't know how 1t happened,
gents
But. somehow. turned round
And packed that little ragged boy
Half way across the town.
I put him in his mothers arms.
I did, and so would YOU,
And bought to sell his little stake
Those last two punches. too.
~You say my record has been good,
And-well. It's my belief
TIM pretty fair at tackllng toughs,
Or footpads. or a thief.
But II I've got to keep my Job
Bv making cruel war
On kids-thcn call II GUILTY. sirs,
And take away my star"
FRANK II. GASSAWAY.
Co1ncr.on Coyoc Rohy