INTERESTING NEW LAWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 71, 7 November 1911, Page 2

INTERESTING NEW LAWS.

A NEW YORK CROP. Amongst the new laws of tho State of New York, which came into effect on September Ist, there is one piohibiting any person from carrying a pistol, a "blackjack,” or a dagger. Tins prohibition is aimed iiiolly at thieves, but also effects hundreds of thousands of Italians, chiefly of tho immigrant class, who usually cairy a lethal weapon in America. _ A law lias also been passed against the kidnapping of a child, except by a an offence punishable oy ten year’s imprisonment. This law is rendered necessary because of the prevalence of the “Black Band” abdi\tions with the object of holding children, not always of rich parents to ransom. There is another law inflicting imprisonment upon a usurer who exacts more than IS par cent, a year Intel cst on loans. This legislation is aimed at loan sharks, who have battened upon clerks and other persons earning salaries, and who charge not only extortionate interest or a bonus, but also big sums for "investigating tho character of the applicants.” Yet another law prohibits actors from impersonating the Dioty. Several plays that were popular last season will henceforth ho impossible in the State. Other laws make it a penal offence for hotels and theatres to discriminate against American soldiers or sailors in uniform; prohibit the stalling of postal hags with advertising circulars,; provide that countercharges ol adultery in divorce cases must be verified; provide that no child under 1(5 shall be permitted to outer u public billiard or nine-pin alley unless accompanied by guardians; and {provide that motor boats must have mufflers except when racing. This legislation, it is Imped will permit residents within earshot of New York Harbour, and also residents at the seaside towps, to sleep at night. Then there is a law providing that tho possession of false weights and measures shall bo taken as evidence of fraudulent intent. Recent investigation in the East side, of New Ymk showed that the majority of the shonkoepers habitually used scales and measures discriminating against the •rmtomer, and in defence the shopkeepers always pleaded "wo didn’t know.” li enforced this law will put one or two houses which bare for years made peaks and measures for the ornciso purpose of benefiting retailers out of business.