New-York tribune., 1905-07-26
TELL OF WHITE SLAVES.
AROUSE JEWISH WOMEN.
Workers Among Immigrant Girls
Speak at Hebre1c Chautauqua.

Atlantic City, n. j., July 25.-Startling revela-
! tions concerning the white slave traffic in New
York and the larger cities of the country were
| made at to-day's session of the Jewish Chautau-
qua by women who have had charge of caring
for unprotected immigrant girls. These women
said that white slavery is carried on by pow
erful organizations, of which the general pub
lie has no conception.
The topic discussed to-day was THE Unpro-
tected Immigrant Girl" and the speakers were
women who have worked among the immigrant
girls at Ellis Island. and heard from them con-
fessions of the plots that brought them to this
country. Girls told them how they were lured
TO the United States by men who approached
them in the native cities offering them lucrative
positions and how. on landing they learned that
they to become inmates of houses of i'll
repute or. like Berthe Claiche compelled to
walk the streets of New-York and earn money
for those who brought them TO this country.
Miss Rose Sommerfed, superintendent of the
Clara De Hirsch Home, New-York, was chairman
at to-day's meeting. She is identified with the
New-York Council OF Jewish Women. which is
directing its efforts toward relieving the unpro-
tected immigrant girls of the dangers that sur
round them. The first speaker was Mrs. Betty
Myerovitz, of New-York who was selected TO
work at Ellis Island because of her ability to
speak many languages
"One case in particular, I remember" said
Mrs. Myerovitz. was that of a very pretty i'm
migrant girl who came from d little town in
Russia. She induced to come TO this coun-
try, as all others We're, having been prom
lsed good position This girl had saved money
and jewelry, the total value OF which would
amount to a couple of hundred dollars When
she reached London man from the United
States had gone there to meet her and bring her
on the boat and he took possession of all her
money and valuables. When she asked for them
he drew a revolver and threatened to kill her
II she breathed word against him. Even
though she confessed all this, and both man and
girl were detained at Ellis Island he managed
TO get her away and she was lost in New-Yorl
Mrs. Myerovitzs address was full of in
stances of this kind, and she declared that there
is a powerful organization of men who deal in
white slaves. She said this organization has
agents working in every country In Europe. who
select the prettiest girls and bring them to this
country. Good places are promised she said
and all are taught a story to repeat to the i'm
migrant officials Often an agent of the white
slave organization in this country makes a trip
TO Europe to bring the girls here in order to as
their safe arrival Mrs Myerovtz told the
Chautauqua that when the little Russian girl
asked what she was to do in this country the
man who went to Europe for her said, I'VE will
dress you in fine clothes. and all you will have
do is walk up and down in front of the place
where you are to stay and get men and young
girls in the house"
Miss Helen Bulls. of New York, one OF the
committee appointed by the council of Jewish
women TO study the need of organizing a regu-
lar travellers aid bureau, told Of her experience
throughout the country and related many in
stances of white slave trading. She also re-
ferred to the supposed independence Of the av-
erage American girl to travel alone to all places
and at all hours of the night. Among other
things she said:
In this day in this country the young girl is
turns from il alone, she goes to worlds fairs
alone, she packs her suit at a moments
notice and starts for the isles of the sea alone
How is she protected and what may not happen
to her?
The American girl you may say can take
of herself anywhere. Her Wit. her self-pos
session her best protection. This IS usually
true but her self possession is as often the re-
suit Of innocence of knowledge, and, sad to
say, the time when innocence a perfect
shield. when Una could move unharmed among
the lions is rapidly passing As a matter OF fact.
they do not protect her. The anxious fathers.
mothers brothers. sisters and relatives al the
are not safe what shall We say of sthe more
ignorant and innocent Cnes?
The statements made to-day have aroused the
Cbautauqua as never before and active develop
ments are expected To tight the white slave evil.
1fD TECTVD CTUFC G0O nm