The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-20
M'AD0O STARTS A VICE SQUAD
WILL KEEP A CARD INDEX OF
ARRESTEDWOMEN OFTHE STREET
Now Squad VIII Not Only Arrest. but VIII
Search Into Graft-COmmissio Will
Not Tolerate Arrests OF Good Women
by Aiistake-Believes There Arc Mono.

Not Tolerate Arrests or Good women
by Mistake-Believes There Arc None.
In a talk at Police Headquarters to
many precincts detailed to arrest dis
orderly women on the streets Police Com
missioner McAdoo announced yesterday a
new scheme he has evolved for controlling
one phase Of the social evil.
Under the plan thus announced q special
body Of men is to be organized into a sort
Of vice squad This squad Is to work
from Police Headquarters and will be
assigned to arrest women and look into all
the conditions bearing on street walking
In any precinct which the Commissioner
may decide needs investigating. Not only
will it be the duty Of the squad to clean
UP precinct but they will also be assigned
to find out whether policemen are taxing
women or working in cahoots with the
professional bondsmen. A card index
Of the women arrested will be kept. The
women won't be measured like the crooks,
but their descriptions will be noted, and
in this way it Is expected that worna n
moving into another precinct, after being
arrested and fined, will be recognized,
no matter what name she gives when ar
rested again, and can be disposed Of as an
old offender.
Commissioner McAdoo said yesterday
that his plan had been submitted to several
of the Magistrates and that he had got
from one Magistrate an approval of 1t in
writing. He believes the others favor
1t too.
an deciding on this measure, said
~ Lov hoe
five definite objects in view; First, to pro-
tect the innocent woman from arrest,
which must be done at all hazards; second
to see that the police do not graft on the
women. as has been charged third, to see
that arrest rolls are not padded in pre-
cincts by spasmodic forays on women;
fourth. TO see that arrests Of women are
not made for the benefit OF professional
bondsmen. and. fifth. to see that the streets
of New York are kept clean. I shall put
this SQUAD under a responsible officer, and
shall expect them to do their duty in any
precinct where they may be sent. By
meeting every day they can compare notes
and can establish a card index system
by which the veterans will be known. They
can also discover the 'creepers' and put
them out Of business. In fact, l believe
that all the objects I have enumerated
plan"
Commissioner McAdoo said that he had
thou ght Of having the women ph photographed.
"but." said he, 1t was question whether
public sentiment would approve OF that"
It is the idea to put certain distinctive
features on the cards but the color Of the
hair will not be one OF them, being sub
ject to change without notice.
The squad will start with fifteen picked
men. It may be the nucleus of the vice
bureau" provided for in the COMMITTEES
Of Mines i'll fated police bill. Al Of the
sleuths came down to Headquarters pretty
much scared, and we're mustered in the
trial room. The Commissioner said he
hadn't sent for them TO make any genera !
criticism.
But" said he, Il want you to realize
that the arrest OF one decent woman,
locking her up in a cell and taking her TO
court the next morning before lot Of
hardened women. even where such an
arrest is made honestly is a'criminal blunder,
and under all circumstances awakens the
indignation OF the community. Your work
requires high degree of intelligence, good
judgment and a keen sense of your re-
sponsibilities. Since I have come here
have not as yet found a case where really
honest. virtuous woman was wrongfully
arrested | have conversed to-day with
Magistrate who has assured me these
cases are so infrequent as to be almost
unknown in his experience. IL have any
reason TO believe that there has been such
a case, | will vigorously investigate II, and
overzeal will not be a defence, But il We
cease our work, and the streets become
public which now condemns uS would be
equally bitter in its criticism of the con-
dtions which would then exist, and every
decent woman would be exposed to insult
from men | believe that New York is
freer to-day from this nuisa nee than any
81 na /,it az EIlrOra