Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-15
Urges Parents to Curb
Destructive Children


There is subject which should be
brought to the attention of the public
now that Spring is here c'the utter
disregard Of young children to the pri-
vate property of others'9.
The parents, apparently, make little
or no attempt to advise their children
in regard to annoying neighbors. de-
facing and destroying property. II
would seem they we're turned loose on
the streets to do as they please. They
Iun up and down terraces and park
ing. play on porches. tramp down or
break flowers and hedges. The terraces,
parking and hedges soon become I'M
slightly. Even back yards are not free
from their visits, as they climb fences,
leave the gates open, trample the flow
ers, when looking for base balls that
have been batted into the yard. If
these boys are spoken to- they give you
impudence or insolently defy us to tell
their parents or the police. One Hall
loween night neglected placing my
car in the garage and consequently
had every curtain in my car cut with
knife. completely running them, and
the same night three porch chairs were
removed and hung in trees hundred
yards from the house and Is feet above
the ground. Two of them were broken
so they were of no further use. This
was undoubtedly done for revenge be-
cause had found it necessary to ask
them to play foot ball on their own
parking and to keep off of the parking
and white-painted porch, scratching
and marring the paint.
Surely il parents are told of what
their boys are doing when out of their
sight, in defacing and destroying pri-
g. al sv1r a
defiance, they would correct them, so
the rights of those who try to ke~p
their property presentable may be re-
spected by these youngsters
Young boys and girls who are allowed
free rein to do as they please, not adj
viSed or controlled, become gang mem
bers and use the streets and private
property as Fairgrounds and stay out
after 9 at night, get so used to having
their own way that they cannot be con-
trolled at the age of adolescence. Early
training of obedience and respect for
elders certainly has its influence on
their young lives and as future citizens.
Is it not the duty of wise parents to
exercise this control early in the life Of
their youngsters?
Otherwise, negligent parents pay
dearly with tears and heartaches when
their child commits some misdeed and
is arrested. Once arrested. the second
offerse comes easy, and it is not long
before the boy will not stop at any
crime. The prevalence of young crimi-
nails and gangsters of today can square,
~ be claimed in many instances on the
parents lack Of control and early train
ing of the child.
1t is disheartening to property own
ers TO pay out money for resodding the
terraces and lawns each year or to
beautify the front and back yards with
grass, flowers and shrubs and have
them broken or destroyed by gang Of
thoughtless youngsters
I realize the difficulty of rearing chill
dren within the city limits, and that
boys especially must have some play to
work off their energy and to gain neces-
sary exercise for their bodies. No one
can object to any legitimate game or
play, provided it is not accompanied by
loud noises, shouting and boisterous
conduct.
do feel that parents should teach
their children to be polite. courteous,
and to respect and not destroy the prop
erty of others; not to be rowdies, with
no conception of gentlemanly conduct.
Such instruction by the parents is due
the child for their mutual, future hap
piness. HENRY B. DAVIS