Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1904-04-13

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fN4fGEl@A Grated at this time to lure young
4kttRszE3Sk girls from the towns Of Tennessee
lSsSSlask.., and other states into the dens Of in
8SsfS- iquity in st. Louis. The matter
&1SSA has come to light through the ab,
OrtVe attempts of OF the agents Of the syndi-
cate engaged in this traffic Of iniquity and the most
determined efforts to stop the practice being set
on foot by the people OF the city OF ST. Louis as well
as those Of the other cities and towns whence the
syndicate hopes to recruit its victims.
The Young WOmeu's Christian Association is
taking leading part in this crusade against iniq
uity and the branches OF this association in all the
cities and towns Of the Middle and Western States
have been warned Of the scheme and appealed to for
their assistance in bringing its Vaccinations to
naught.
The plan of the syndicate is to procure young
women from the working classes to TO st. Louis
under promise Of employment during the Worlds
Fair season. and then to meet them at the depot in
st. Louis and conduct them to some brothel, where
their feet are set in the ways Of ruin and their lives
are hOpelessly wrecked before they can be reached
by any possible assistance.
It makes 10 difference what the girls ambition
may be. She is promised work in any line she may
desire and at wages tbat sound alluring But once
in the hands of the agents OF the syndicate, her
doom is sealed. There is no escape for her except
through the gates Of death. Afar from her friends
unprotected and helpless in the hands of these
wolves of human form, she has no chance whatever.
The st. Louis Young WOmen's Christian AssO.
citation Is making the most earnest efforts to destroy
the work of this heiniOus organization and to that
end is sending out letters to the branches of the
sOciatiOn in surrounding cities and towns and re-
questng that the press take the matter up and sound
tbe note Of warning, that as many innocent and ig-
nOrant young women as possible may be saved from
fate worse than death. One Of the circular letters
being sent out by them was received few days ago
by the Memphis branch Of the association aud was
read before the last meeting Of that body. The let
ter reads as follows:
st. Louis, Mo-, March L, 1904
An appeal for cooperation Of Christian women
for the protection Of young women, especially for
those ambitious for employment in our city during
the Worlds Fair
The Womens Christian Association Of St. Louis
are aware Of the fact that plausible people Sc
cured to bring young women to our city with assur-
aBce Of any employment they desire being in wait
ing for them (but one idea is theiTs-ruin). To in
any degree meet this monster, all must unite In 3
general plan, if by any pre.adventure we may save
few OF the many tempted by alluring promises.
You ask how can we COOperatei One effective
way is to organize travellers aid where there is
none, by one OF two ways First by appointing 3
committee for this servicein in of your local or
CARNATIONS, to be known as stravelers' aid commit
Eee" (This name is emphasized to prevent con
fusion among wOrkers).
The other plan is to organize by selecting woman
OF your place for president who has heart for the
work and ability to lead; also a capable secretary
and treasurer. Add others for your committee
work who should be q safeguard for young women
This form Of work can be organized in one church
or by all uniting This appeal Is made to unity the
protective forces that may be promptly available
II any Of your young women have been induced
BY stranger to visit or seek employment in st.
Louis, during the exposition, sound the note Of
alarm. There is danger. Let every young woman,
unattended By friend, see to it: First has money
enough with her for an immergency and sale return
home; second, know from a reliable source her des
tination here is safe before she leaves hOme
third depend upon herself and officials on the rail-
road for information concerning trains. And added
intelligence necessary reserve for "traveers aid"
referred TO IN following paragraph:
One Of your committee should be at the railroad
station ct train time. AZ your introduction Of any
young woman leaving for st. Louis, to the repre-
sentative Of the ''trayelers aid" here pin knot Of
blue ribbon on her waist, left sde and instruct her
TO hnd woman IN the waiting room at union station
Who wears blue badge with Travellers Aidv Of
1 WOmens Christian Association, st. Louis printed
Oh it in gold letters They are to be found st above
place at the time Of incoming and outgoing trains.
The Womens Christian Association will be will
ing to be interrogated BY letter telegram, and do
sd IN their power to save. But remember the
greatest success must he with ron, where the num-
bers so much less Ian ID ST. Louis at this time.
Hoping this appeal nay be promptly approved
end this work inluenrased, By which effort many
may be saved from fate worse than DEATH we sub
scribe ourselves, yours ia Christian service,
WOMEN's CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
a38eadquarters, 1914 Washington Ave, St. Louis,
Following the reading Of this letter, the matter