The morning call., 1893-05-10

pretending to make q search. The girl
who was backed by capital was never ar
resled, but my little friend was taken UP
for vagrancy the next time she went out
alone.
"0f course" continued the lady. I'VE
do not pretend that every police Cfficer
accepts bribes, but no one can be brought
much in contact with the class of girls and
women among whom our work lies, vi H.
out finding out that ii is the rule. rather
than the exception, to tip the police officer.
No! do not mean the special officer. the
regular man who is appointed for the bea'.
He asks for his due and receives it as a
matter of course"
'''rhe girls that run around know more
about the bribery than any one else" said
a young girl who has recently been re-
formed from the slums.
did you pay bribes yourself?"
Did 1?' and the girl snapped her
fingers expressively. How much? Well,
many of the girls paid S5 to SO
week. We were not allowed TO get along
with less than So 80"
What amount did you pay yours elf?"
Never more than l just had to. The
police were down on ME for that. If
had paid up as some of the girls did l
should never have been arrested for va
Graney.
Yes, was arrested" she added, low
ering her voice little. You see, It's this
way: When girl is standing on a street
corner, If she is in with the police, oh. it's
all rght-they DON'T see her, however long
she stays. But if a girl never pays them
ANYTHING. why. she's arrested right away"
But the police are not all alike ?'
"Oh. no; not all. But give most Of them
4 chance and they will generally take
bribe. Yes" added the young woman.
= "mostly every one that runs'around knows
all about the Iolce bribery. l am sorry TO
say l did run around, and not so long ago
either.
''Do you want to find out for Yourself"
she continued cOniientially, lust go see
some of those girls. They Will most of
them talk if you only get at them in the
right way. Remember have been talking
about the regular officers on the beat, the
specials are good deal less grasping"
The girPs hin; was one upon which the
reporter acted, with the result that though
seme Of the women were reticent and sus-
picous. two OF three were found who
spoke freely enough.
why do i carry this whistler" observed
one friendly disposed young person. in an
alley near Grant avenue, as she held up
whistle, attached to a bunch OF keys. BE
cause l rely very much upon the protec-
tion OF the police. They are good friends
to us"
For consideration? ."
ION. of course" she replied, with a care
less shrug; 1--WE help them and. they help
Us. but it pays us well to do it,"
do you give the officer on the beat
regular fixed sum-"
Most of the girls around here give from
So TO So 4 week. and in redress for that we
get COED deal of help and protection that
nope than repays us for the money. We
al keep in with the police, it is part of our
business"
What would be the consequence if you
did not?"
E"Wel, think how easily we could be
arrested. The policeman on the beat
could make life unbearable for US in a
dtZ,n ways if he chose to. But as far as
am concerned. find the police help. and
it is only fair that we should help them
little in return"
The next woman who consented to talk
was Frenchwomau, 60 longer in her fiue
youth, who was we'll versed in all the wiles
II her occupation.
There are some things that we must do
and not talk about" she observed with a
sphinX-like smile. Il don't call it brib!ng
the police. 1t is true that make the Off
Ger on the beat presents Of-wel, say
cigars. give several dollars often 6. with
the cigars. but that does not count. OF
course, we understand one another per-
fectIy. lie takes the cigars-with the
money thrown Uneven asks for them. II
let the day for giving them go by. But
bribery! We never call il b. such
nnntn .