Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-22
FOR THE SUPPRESSION
 OF WHITE SLAVE TRAFFIcr
Representative Mann's Bill Reported
 to the House-congress Adjourns for
 Holidays.

Washington, Dec. 21.-Congress ad- journed today until Jan. 4. In the senate important initial steps were taken towards congressional inyesti- gation of the long existing controversy between Secretary of the Interior Bal finger and Chief Forester Pinchot-
 A resolution by. Senator Flint call Ing for all of the papers bearing on the case was adopted. Senator Jones read to the senate a letter from Secretary Ballinger. practically demanding an inquiry, which he said he 'courted, and also expressing the belief that any in vestigation had should be broad enough to cover the "pernicious activity Of officials in the forestry service as well as the alleged basis for any charges against the administration of the in terior department.
 Al resolution by Senator Gore nam ing an investigating committee of eight members of each the senate and house and including on that committee sew eral of the so-called .insuFgent sena- tors" was successfully sidetracked by Senator AIdrich, who had. it referred to the committee on public lands
 The house was in session but ten minutes. Representative Mann, as chairman of the committee on inter state and foreign commerce. reported his bill for the suppression of white slave traffic" and Representative Richardson of Alabama filed minorf- ty committee report against the Mann bill for the reorganization of the gov ernment of the isthmus of Panama.
 Among other things the report on the white slave traffic says: 'The use Of interstate commerce in sending prostitutes from one state to another in connection with this traffic in wom- en would seem to be as directly con- nected with interstate commerce as the sending of tickets from one state to another in furtherance of operation of a lottery. So far congress has not enacted legislation to insure the carry ing out of the provisions of the inter national treaty for the suppression of the traffic.
 ''The proposed legislation Is needed to put stop to villainous interstate and international traffic in women and girls not needed or intended as an aid to the states in the exercise of their police powers in suppressing or regu- lating immortality in general. It does not attempt to regulate the practice of voluntary prostitution, but aims solely to prevent panderers and pro- .curers from compelling thousands of women and girls against their will and desire to enter upon and continue in a life of prostitution.
 These women are practically slaves in the true sense of the word. Many are kept In houses of i'll fame against their will, and if necessary force is used to deprive them of their liberty. The victims are those women and girls who if given a fair chance would in all human probability have been good wives and mothers and useful citizens. Liquor, trickery, deceit, fraud and the use of force are resorted to by the pro- curer to place the girl under his pow eF."
 Chairman Mann said today that he did not know just when the bill would be brought up on the floor of the house. He declared there was no req son for any clash between the com mittee and that proper legislation to meet the evil in the best possible way. which he believed was through his bill, was all that was sought.
 Chairman Mann asked and was granted unanimous consent for the setting aside of sufficient time for the minority of the committee to file ob- jections to the bill. Their report will be presented after the holidays by Representative Richardson of Alabama, supported by Representatives Adam son. Bartlett and Peters of the com nlittee.