Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 237, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 October 1917 — Should Curb the Pranks of Youth On Hallowe’en. [ARTICLE]

Should Curb the Pranks of Youth On Hallowe’en.

' As Hallowe’en again approaches, it should be the aim of all to take steps to curb the spirit of youth and prevent the wanton destruction of property this year. The war has already cast a hardship upon many homes and the high cost of living, with added taxes, has made the purse lighter in many homes. The destruction of property on Hallowe’en would not serve to lighten the burden of these homes and we believe that the youth will see it in this light and will confine his pranks to harmless amusement. This is the chance for our boys and girls to show thefaL patriotism to their country. Not that the spirit of Hallowe’en should be done away with entirely. That would not be fair to the kids, who have enjoyed the unwritten privilege of being allowed to let their spirits run rampant this evening. It should be the duty of our citizens to see that they have their fun, but in a harmless sort of way. Rensselaer might well adopt the custom of some other communities on this evening. Some places, which formerly were hard hit by the annual pranks of the young folk, solved the problem by getting up public celebrations to interest the boys and divert their attention. At Fort Worth, Tex., the Fall Festival association holds parades and pageants with 4,000 school children. At Allentown, Pa., whete a similar celebration is held, the young folks rig up as ghosts and hobgobblins and Charlie Chaplins, and there is a general carnival of mischief. The parents in any neighborhoods where the kids get too active, can avert such nuisance by giving them a Hallowe’en party. The_bbv with his eye on the ice cream is not going to carry away many gates. Now let’s see if we can’t get together and give the young folks a great big municipal party.