The Indianapolis journal., 1902-01-19
That OmciaI Admitted the Seriousness
Way To Better Conditions.

Correspondence OF the indianapolis Journal
LONDON. Jan. S.-Like all movements
against the social evil. the campaign re-
Gently inaugurated for clearing the streets
of London Of their daily and nightly car
nivals of vice. is making headway very
slowly. on the surface Of things there is
not only no appearance OF change. but no
evidence of any Of the activities which
might be thought to presage change. The
devotees Of vicious pleasure are as brazen-
faced as ever in their abominable traffic,
and the police as conveniently blind as ever.
1t would seem as though the movement
had struck snag. The public think the
authorities are at fault. while the authori-
ties, as usual, lay the blame upon the pub
lie. Just what the situation is at this time.
and what the difficulties are. and how lit
tie hope there is for any radical reform in
the immediate future. are points which
have been made only too sadly obvious by
a recent interview with Mr.. Ritchie. secre-
tary of state for the home department IL
is from this department that the police get
their instructions, and from the same quar-
ter would have TO come any amendment TO
the existing laws. So that what Mr..
Ritchie has just said on the subject TO q
distinguished deputatiOn from the West
minister City Council may be accepted for
the present as the final word.
At the head Of this deputation was the
Duke Of Norfolk. who. besides being earl
marshal of England, is also ex-mayor OF
the city of Westminster. In addressing Mr..
Ritchie he said it was the very strong wish
of the Westminster City Council that some
thing should be done to remedy the dis
graceful condition of many OF the public
streets. He knew. Of course. that it wasn't
possible by legislative means or police en-
actments to remedy all the evils which ex-
isted but there were some localities in
Westminster which were disgrace to the
country, chief amongst which were Picca-
dilly, Haymarket, Leicester Square, Regent
street and Charing Cross. AT present in
these localities the young and innocent
were needlessly exposed TO temptation and
all kinds OF persons were subjected TO per-
petual annoyance These crying evils. said
the earl marshal, ought to be summarily
dealt with. and If the existing laws were
not sufficient, there must be further legis-
lation.
The next speaker was Mr.. Jaxone. chair
man of the Westminster watch committee,
who urged that what had been done in
Glasgow, Birmingham, Liverpool and Shelf
field could also be done in London. A man
might walk the streets OF Birmingham
from twilight TO nightfall without being So
licited. This deputation. he said, was the
outcome Of a memorial to the City Council
of Westminster. signed by $500 inhabitants.
protesting against the nightly condition OF
the localities referred TO by the earl mar
shal. In a few months. continued Mr.. JaX-
one, there would be the coronation. when
the best and noblest Of the empire would
be here, with thousands OF visitors from
every part of the world, and the Council did
not wish the streets Of Westminster 10 be
polluted on that occasion as they are now.
Not that they were puritanicsl. but men OF
the world though they were. they felt that
for the honor of the empire and or LONDON
something ought to be done.
NOT ENCOURAGING.
Mr.. Ritchie's reply 10 this deputation.
coming from the highest authority in Eng
land and from that department Of the gov
ernment which controls the police. is worth
the serious attention OF those IN all coun-
tries who are anxious TO suppress vice.
There is a strain Of hopelessness In it such
as social reformers are all too familiar
a frank statement OF difficulties such
cannot fail TO be instructive, even though
1t may tend somewhat TO dampen enthu-
siasm. He fully agreed that the evil COM
planned Of was a serious one. and was not
surprised that the governing body OF West
minister should come to the home secretary
asking for a remedy. He warned them,
however, that the remedy was not 20 De
found in police measures. Suppose some
thing drastic were done in the particular
districts indicated, would the result be 10
abolish the evil or merely 20 drive IL 10
other districts? He was afraid the depu-
talon had rather exaggerated what had
been done IN Birmingham. Liverpool and
other places, but in any case, London was
so vast and the difficulties TO be dealt with
here were so great that what might be
fairly successful in provincial city might
be a failure in the capital OF the empire.
II must not be forgotten either. Mr..
Ritchie went on, that there was a great
deal Of pity felt in many quarters for the
poor unfortunates who were complained
Of and many persons thought they had
been reduced to what they were by the
sins OF others who could not be got at.
So that the police had TO be extremely
careful. IL was also TO be borne in mind
that not only women collected IN Picca-
dily at certain times Of night, but men
also, who were not in the last annoyed
by what took place. but were attracted by
it, In seeking 10 bring women before the
magistrates the police would necessarily
come in contact with these men. some OF
whom would not hesitate 10 give evidence
ir court in the womens favor. Indeed,
the police. he said had more than once
met with a humiliating fall on account
Of what they had attempted 20 do They
had brought women before the magistrate,
and the magistrate had not only not ap-
proved OF the conduct Of the police but
had more than once given them unde-
served censure
A CANDID STATEMENT.
Upon one point Mr.. Ritchie was more
candid than some good people might have
wanted him 10 be. These women. he said
had as much right TO walk the streets as
the home secretary and the earl marshal
of England had. and unless they commit
ted some offense or created obstruction
they could not be interfered with. 4 great