NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 63 



THE POLICE AND THE PUBLIC. 



The failure of the police department and the judges of the 

 police courts of this city to sternly repress the throwing of rub- 

 bish in parks and in the streets continues to handicap our eiforts 

 for cleanliness and good order. On every Monday morning in 

 fine weather between spring and winter, such of the parks of 

 this city as we have been accustomed to see at frequent intervals 

 always show wicked and disgusting ill-usage at the hands of the 

 mobs who frequent them on Sundays. It seems to be a fact 

 that about ten per cent of the people of this city are not fit to 

 live in civilized communities. 



It is difficult to understand the workings of the minds of 

 persons who can blithely and cheerfully scatter rubbish on 

 beautifully kept lawns that have been created for their benefit. 

 It is not the part of good citizenship to keep silent in the pres- 

 ence of low-lived beasts who appreciate nothing, and love filth 

 and disorder. The police department and the municipal judges 

 of this city are very neglectful of their duty in failing to sup- 

 press these lawless tendencies, with iron hands. How much 

 longer are the decent people of New York going to tamely sub- 

 mit to the reign of Dirt and Disorder, at the same moment that 

 loud calls are being made for "more parks," and more "breath- 

 ing spaces" — for more exhibits of vandalism? 



During the summer season of 1914 it was again necessary 

 for the Zoological Society to maintain, at the expense of its 

 members, three private detectives for the purpose of keeping 

 the disorderly portion of our visitors within bounds. But for 

 their efforts, joined to those of our own special details of about 

 twelve men every Sunday, the Park would have been uninhabit- 

 able by decent folk. 



The Police Commissioner greatly aided us by doubling the 

 police force on Saturdays and Sundays; and it was a great re- 

 lief to be able to feel that in case of any serious emergency our 

 men would have the assistance of half a dozen policemen instead 

 of two only. 



Throughout the year, no accidents occurred to visitors, and 

 even with our great crowds of visitors there was no disorderly 

 conduct of a violent character. Only one complaint against an 

 employee reached the Director, and when the case was called 

 for trial by the Director the complainant failed to appear. 



