Evening journal., 1905-12-20
REFORMERS
DIVIDED ON
HALTING VICE
Ministers Found Who Favor
Segregation Of Vice and
Sanitary Regulations
THE SIGN BOARD NUISANCE

A strong undercurrent of public sen.
tlment seems to Indicate vigorous
crusade in Wilmington this winter FOL
a cleaner city.
The Society Of Friends have SUE.
ceeded in interesting the other relg
ious societies and organizations in
crusade against the present so-called
protection of the disorderly houses
One committee has already appeared
before the Police Commission to pre-
sent evidence as to the number Of dis
orderly houses existing in the city
Other committees will follow this. the
weight of many visiting committees
being added TO the evidence which
they present.
Coupled with this campaign against
one Of the forces which make for
social dislntegration is that OF the
women OF the city against the insight
ly bin boards with their demoralizlng
posters and signs.
A Difference Of Opinion.
An unlocked for development in the
vice crusade by the committees repre-
senting the religious societies Is a dir
ference of opinion between some OF
the ministers as to the proper treat
ment OF the question
To the surprise of some thercA have
been sentiments expressed by few of
the ministers favoring segregation OF
disorderly houses under sanitary regu.
laiion and licensed protection. These
expressions have not as yet been made
publicly or openly but sufficient weight
I has been given TO the opinions of the
dsscnters from the plan proposed by
1.-THE committees for reform as TO hat
1.-The movement at the present and az
least one committee will not appear
before the Police Commission until the
opinion of the ministers Is almost
unanimous as TO tle method TO be
taken In the crusade
Property Owners Worried.
The unexpected sentiment on the
part of some IN favo- of segregation
and g lgitmatizei red light district
has created considerable CONSERVATION
among property holders I'm certain sec
tons of the city who fear that their
particular section will be chosen and
their property depreciate In value ac-
cordingy.
The movement. however. has not
gained such a prominence 10 warrant
any speculation as 10 the licensing Of
dsorderly houses here
II Is undoubtedly true that II the
houses were wseded out Of the section
they occupy al present there would be
a boom IN real estate in that section
In Philadelphia when the disorderl,
houses were being weeded out there II
was contended by some OF the real cs
tate men that their business was be
J ing ruined as after the disorderly olo
+ ment was routed it would be impOssi
BILE TO get respectable people to live IL
& the houses The result was just tho
opposite. The houses were repaintei
and repaired the appearance changed
and respectable people moved in. Th'
+, properties are now paying more thar
: they ever did before.
No Difference Regarding Bill Boards.
on the Other hand the sentiment il
81 unanimous as to the demoralizinG I'm
!. anence of some of the bill boards
/, sluck up all over the city and as TO th'
n effects Of their lurid posters upon th
children who must pass them on thoi
way TO and from school and a move
ment toward their abolition woul
meet with no such difference of opir
ion as that which the treatment Of th
y dlsorderly house question has raised.
o Journal viii Present Views.
The Journal has requested many q
% those prominent in both movements
give it's readers the benefit of thel
!, views upon these questions and frol
time to time we will take pleasure (
presenting them to the public.