Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-14
TRAFFIC IN GIRLS Is
LAID BARE BY REPORT

WASHINGTON, Dec 1O-Stories of
revolving practices of American and for
eign procurers of women for importation
into the United States for immoral pur-
poses are told in a report issued today oy
the immigration commission. The recon-
lnendations of the commission contem-
plate a closer scutiny into the admission
of alien women and renewed efforts 20
stamp out the socalled white slave traf-
fic."
In explanation of the act of laying
bare to the public the details of discov-
cries by its agents, the commission says
that the white slave traffic" is the most
pitiful and the most revolving phase of
the immigration question This business
has assumed large proportions, and it has
been exerting so evil an influence upon
the country that the commission declares
that felt compelled to make it the sub
Ject of a thorough investigation.
Since the subject is especially liable L;
sensational exploitation, the report says,
It is important that the statement of the
able facts which may form basis of
reasonable legislative and administrative
action to lessen the evils. The inquiry
covered the cities of New York, Chicago,
San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Salt
Lake, ogden, Butte, Denver, Buffalo, Bos-
ton and New Orleans. No attempt was
made to investigate conditions In every
important city. But the commission be-
lieves that enough evidence with reference
to women of different races and differ
ent nationalities and living under diff
ferent conditions has been obtained from
localities sufficiently scattered to wal
rant the reports being used as basis for
Legislative and administrative action.
DEALS WITH METHODS.
The report deals with methods used by
men and women procurers to lure women
into this country for immoral purposes.
These methods differ as adopted I'm diff
ferent countries. In some countries men
and women I'm the business of enticing
innocent girls to the United States resort
to proffers of attractive positions and in
many cases the men offer themselves in
marriage and frequently risk prosecution
on charges of bigamy in order to at
tain their desires. Much of the evidence
taken by the agents Of the commission Is
given in proof of statements made in
the report. and there are also affidavits
from police officers and letters from gov
eminent officials giving the character of
evidence on which the report has been
based.
great monopolistic corporation whose bus
mess it is to import and exploit these
unfortunate women:
THE commission has been unable to
learn of any such corporation and does
not believe i'm its existence"
1t is said, however, that persons en-
gagged i'm such importing business doubt
less have a wide acquaintance and In
many instances they have rather close
business relations one with another. 80
as to prevent their victims from getting
out of their clutches BEFORE they have
realized the desired profits from their
base ventures.
Under the head of recommendations"
the commission says:
RECOMMENDATION MADE
owing to the difference between Euro
pean and American views regarding vice
regulation, cooperation for the suppress
sion Of the white slave traff1c can be ex-
pected from most of the European ma
tions only along certain lines. Most
European countries are rigid in their reg
ulations regarding the procuring for i'm
moral purposes minor girls or of any
women by means of fraud and deceit.
Women who are OF age. however. and
who enter the business of their own ac-
cord. are not interfered with.
From continental countries where these
conditions exist, practically no cooper.
otlOl COulu DS e&peCleu W prevent pIO-
fesSionals from sailing to the United
States. Such governments probably would
cooperate to prevent the misleading of
minors or the fraudulent or forcible ex-
portation of their women. In the main,
however, the United States government
must rely upon its own officials for pre-
vention of this traffic.
number of suggestions of admin
istrative changes and more rigid enforce
g
partment of commerce and labor, partic-
ularly by the bureau of immigration, and
amendments Of the immigration act it,
self are submitted by the commission.