The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-10-02
Men Who Issue Stern
EdiCts Against Giddy
Bill Posters.
Law Strict on Clothing
Female Forms, Even
in Pictures.
Experiences of Agents
Who Herald Charms
of Variety Shows.

~ HERE can be no doubt about it,
the morals of Washington are
more carefully safeglarded than
the privacy OF a A0hammedau
harem. Let the advance agent OF "a
variety show storm to his hearts con-
tent let him practice every vile lu his
repertoire OF cunning there Is a limit
20 the display Of feminine loneliness
IN the Capital OF the Nation beyond
which he cannot 60 Do yOu happen TO
know who is the arbirer OF property
the censor for morality.
Far back i'm the dim past the city OF
Washington was exposed 20 all man
ner OF terrible dangers in che line OF
Indecent exposure OF ankles and should
ers. Representations OF beautifully
formed maidens who, at a distance OF
some thirty or more feet, appeared 10
wear but little more than a. smile, APP
peared on many buIooards in the act
OF doing wonderful things. The only
check upon the WiCkeduess of the men
who posted these eyesores and scandals
were the. Officers OF the police precincts
in whose territory the wrougdoing Oc-
CURED.
But this has all been changed The
advance agents have not improved so
very much-far from IT, Some adver-
Using agencies continue TO devise all
Turing notices Of the virtues Of their
wares which they illustrate by pic
lures branded by virUuous people as
evidence of low and depraved minds.
But none Of this mass OF Wickedness
reaches the public gaze. II is killed
at the Office of the censor.
Where Morals Are Guarded.
Down al Police Headquarters is the
once OF the Chief Of Police. There IS a
room Just adjoining this fitted up i'm
much the usual way. There IS nothing
10 indicate 10 the unframed mind that IL
BE- a place OF special Importance. I'm this
sanctum D. euthr0ned Captain Harry J..
Gessford. OF the Metropolitan police AT
his right hand is stationed Captain gohu
A. swindeIls, of the same body These
two gentlemen give no clue In their
manner and appearance % the nature of
the work that holds their stern alte1-
tion- one might almost be persuaded
that nothing out Of the regular routine
Of police work comes before their eyes.
And the ONCE. too; there is nothing
startling ln its appearance.
And yet this is the place. Here 80 is
that stern edicts are promulgated
against the unlawful abDreViat0rs OF
ladies skirts and. in fact. the whole
crew OF eviI-minded ones who purvey
exposures OF charms that should DE hid
den from view except I'm galleries Of
paintings. where the nude IS featured as
art for arts sake.
No one knows. no one could imagine.
the strain that is put upon the Wash
ingtou censor Ia the detection Of that
which IS improper. The ethics OF the
business are so complicated that 81 re-
quires a postmaster 10 pierce the dis
euises under which vice masks lts
grinniug face. II IS no easy matter 20
protect the inhabitants of the city
against the degrading truth.
Posters Too Giddy.
Once upon a time-and not SO very
long ago, at that-a certain theatrical F
company proposing % do business az /
one of the local variety houses, sent /
ahead a number OF posters which de- I
picted young damsels possessed OF more I
charms than those ascribed 20 the East 4
srn houri These visions OF loneliness /
were made % display shapely limbs /
clothed Iu tights without other covering
The man in charge OF bin posting took 4
the offending posters 70 the office OF