The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1907-07-05
EXPOSITION TRAVELLERS AID
SOCIETY.

In 1885 a number of English women
banded themselves together under the
auspices of the Young Women's Christian
Association for the purpose of protecting
young, inexperienced girls and women
who have to travel alone either in search
of work or for other reasons. Their
headquarters was in London. Later a
link was formed with the United States,
and few cities placed agents at the rail-
road stations to look after the lonely trav-
eler. But the agents of evil were more
vigilant and often girl travelling alone
was recommended to places from which
she could not escape. After the Chicago
Exposition, it was reported that six hun.
dred had disappeared.
| Just before the Fair in st. Louis, it
was discovered that large syndicate
existed whose object was to lure girls to
St. Louis for immoral purposes. Their
methods were by advertising offering
high wages and light work in apparently
mediately formed with headquarters in
New York known as the Exposition
Travellers Aid Society. Agents were
placed in many cities and the knowledge
of the danger was spread abroad. Not
withstanding this throughout the months
of the St. Louis Exposition and later in
Portland, hundreds Of young women
were found travelling alone, constantly
without money, often having answered
these very advertisements, SO that the
agents of the Travellers Aid had to call
to their assistance the police.
JAMESTOWN.
In view of the jamestown Exposition,
it was deemed necessary to again organize
an Exposition Travellers Aid Society.
This was done with headquarters in New
York.
| A number of Baltimore women who
work for women and girls also banded
together, forming the Maryland Com
mittee of the Exposition Travellers Aid
Society. They planned to have large
placards placed in railroad stations, boat
landings, on boats and in as many promi-
nent places as possible in the City, to
invite the cooperation of the railroad
and steamboat matrons and other officials
and to have agents meet the boats
arriving from Norfolk who would care
for girls and women travelling alone.
This plan is being carried out. Outside
of Baltimore it was desired to form
smaller committees whose duty would be
to receive the placards and other lit.
erature, and generally guard the girls of
their own community, who. for work or
pleasure, might be going from home.
A circular letter was prepared and sent
out and the Committee has received the
operation of 81 ladies in SIS towns in
Maryland. There are on the list 1903
towns, SO number are still unprotected
and the Committee would be very CRATE
full to any lady who would offer her
services.
The boats come in at 6:3o A. M. and 6
or 7 P. M. There are three lines running
to Norfolk.
1t requires money to carry on this work
and the managers will gratefully receive
and acknowledge contributions sent to
the Treasurer of the Maryland Committee
of the Exposition Travellers Aid Society,
1T w. Lafayette Avenue, Baltimore,
Maryland.
WARNING-A PERSONAL WORD
TO GIRLS.
The Travellers Aid Society would warn
any girl going from home either seeking
employment or for other reasons:
1st. Not to start without knowing
where she is 10 stay at night and having
money enough to'defray expenses.
and. Not to answer advertisements for
workers at Jamestown, without first
writing to the Travellers Aid Society
who will tell her if it is an honest offer of
employment.
The Travellers Aid Agent both in Nor
folk and Baltimore will meet those who |
write to them in time.
Look out for the Travellers Aid badge |
and mention the color of your hat or some
other distinctive mark of your dress.
Address-The Maryland Committee of
the Exposition Travellers Aid Society.
Headquarters Young Women's Christ
ian Association Building, 1913 W. Franklin
Street. Baltimore, Md.
For Jamestown Address-Travelers' Aid
Society, 26 Plume Street, Norfolk, Va.