The Washington herald., 1922-07-06

N to rid Washington thoroughfares of unde-
= sirable citizens. In part he has been sue
cessful, but when the pests are driven from one
locality they gather in another Only relentless
warfare by the police accomplish permanent
good.
The undesirabes to which have reference
the congregations in downtown streets of tin
horn" race gamblers mashers, bootleggers their
and certain class of hacker. closely akin
the aforementioned More or less openly plying
their avocations, these persons impede traffic,
embarrass unescorted women and girls and gen.
orally besnlirch the citys good name.
Recently dozen arrested
in street between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets
charges OF lettering and obstructing traffic. For
a short period thereafter the sidewalks in this par
ticular block fairly passable Then the "tin
horns" returned, rubbing elbows regardless OF
color class, elbowng pedestrians from the walk
and and surging forward to get the latest
results pasted up in nearby shop window. On
the iringes of the crowd runners" for bookmakers
accepted wagers in the good old way and those
who knew the ropes and possessed thirst had no
trouble in getting the wherewitha for its assauge-
ment.
The tin horns" were on duty yesterday. They
probably will be again today.
Pennsylvania Avenue long has been the haunt
OF hackers good. bad and indifferent The head
quarters for that element among them which flouts
police regulations and public decency gravitates
from the Peace Monument the Treasury and
back again. Just it is in the very heart of the
city and from late evening until the early hours OF
the morning this main artery OF foot and auto
mobile traffic is afflicted with many unscrupulous
drivers whose hacking business is mere adjunct
to their activities panderers and bootleggers.
Women OF the streets are their intimates
and their partners. The stranger within gates
seeking wine, and song" may be we'll
supplied if he has singing voice and will accept
corn liquor a substitute for the wine.
Perhaps this nuisance is the hardest Of all with
which the police have cope. For those hackers
who guilty OF these practices have we'll devel-
opcd underground system by which they are
apprised OF the presence in the vicinity OF Mai
Sullivan's representatives The result is that when
the police arrive they behaving as innocently
their law-abiding fellows. Their mobility is
another safety factor, for it takes but a moment
drive to the curb. negotiate with runner for
Liquor make date. then drive quickly away.
Many hackers have been arrested; many have
been fined, but the vicious among them continue
. to defy public deccncy
The lawless hackers were plying their shady
trades last night as usual They probably will do
again tonight.
In Ninth and in + street gangs of
- young hoodlums congrcgate nightly. Their prin-
cipal pastme appears to be accostng or
making remarks they pass by. That they
casually keep well within the precincts OF some boot
logger or petty gambler does not add to their
citizens. Probably the most con-
temptibe OF the nusanc, clan, these latter gentry
in many above some OF the practices
OF the unscrupulous type OF hackers
The Washers duty last night they
probably will be there tonight
will mt SoIye III ,,rohIer,
-of keeping District streets clear of undcsirabes
These masqueraders in the guse of men must be
hauled the police stations every time they over
step the line Of decency II they forfeit colat-
cral each time. the District Golfers will be enriched
and the time will eventually when the dollars
will not be available for bail fine. Then a pro-
longed soJourn in the workhouse may have some
= effect
We have every confidence in Maj. Sullivan
we do believe he has known the prevalence OF
these abuses OF the city's streets. An nvestiga-
tion will confirm all have stated. This accom-
pfshed. The Herald is equally certain that sum
mary action will result.