TWENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT bo 



cases were disposed of, and exemplary punishment was the well- 

 nigh universal rule. Only two or three offenders were let off 

 unfined. 



Park policemen who for years had been flouted by the van- 

 dals were in their glory. It appeared that one of the worst 

 plague spots in the Bronx for vandalism was St. Mary's Park, 

 where until that time the police had been powerless to get results 

 for law and order. One officer who had often been bluffed by im- 

 pudent women as well as men served eight summonses in one 

 day, and had the satisfaction of seeing eight fines imposed. A 

 great change has come over St. Mary's Park since May 1, 1915. 



Every City Magistrate, so far as known, took an active 

 part in the crusade. The stern admonitions delivered from the 

 bench by Magistrates McAdoo, Crane and Cornell, were good 

 to hear. 



The effect of this reform movement as shown in the Zoologi- 

 cal Park was satisfactory beyond words. By June 1 our Park 

 was on each week day as free from rubbish as the best-kept 

 "pay" Zoological Gardens of Europe — which is saying much! 

 Even on a Monday morning, instead of wagonloads of waste 

 paper and miles of peanut shells, one could walk from the Ford- 

 ham entrance to the West Farms entrance without finding 

 enough waste paper to fill a small waste basket. The disappear- 

 ance of the curse of peanut shells was the most delightful feature 

 of all, because they had been much harder to cope with than the 

 waste paper. The completeness of their elimination is almost 

 unbelievable until seen. 



To-day the cleanliness of our walks and walk borders is a 

 constant joy. One can walk through our grounds without feel- 

 ings of rage and mortification. We owe all this new condition 

 to Mayor Mitchel, Police Commissioner Wood, and the City 

 Magistrates, particularly Judges McAdoo, Crane, House and 

 Cornell. 



Hereafter, the policy that produced this reform should most 

 sternly and diligently be continued. The only way to keep the 

 lawless element down is to deal with it diligently, persistently 

 and severely. Remonstrances addressed to swine with human 

 bodies are of no avail. We have tried every form of remon- 

 strance and appeal, and the lawless ten per cent, laugh us to 

 scorn. They must be made to feel the stern grip of the law, and 

 upon them leniency is wasted. 



