The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-12-10

WashinSton. Dec. 9-Stories OF re-
voting practices of American and for
eign procuregs OF women for importa
tion into the United states for i'm
moral purposes are told in report is,
sued today by the immigration com
mission. The recommendation OF the
commission contemplate closer
scrutiny OF the admission of alien
women and renewed efforts to stamp
out the so-called white slave traffic,
In explanation of the fact OF laying
hare TO the public the horrible details
OF discoveries by Its agents, the COM
mission says that the white slave
traffic" Is the most pitiful and the
most revolving phase OF tho immigra-
tlon question. This business has as
sumed large proportions. and 1T has
been eXertng so evil an influence
upon the country that the commission
declares 1t felt compelled TO make a
thorough Investigation
Since the subject is especially liable
10 sensational exploitation. the report
says. It is important that the state
ment Of the commission should deal
with undeniable facts which may form
a basis of reasonable legislative and
administrative action to lessen the
evils
The inquiry covered New York. Chi
cago, San Francisco. Seattle, Portland.
Salt Lake. Ogden. Butte, Denver, Buff
falo Boston and New Orleans. No at
tempt was made to investigate condi-
tions In every important city. But
the commission believes that enough
evidences OF women of different races
and nationallties and living under diff
ferent conditions has been obtained
from localities sufficiently scattered to
use the report as sumclent basis for
legislative and administrative action.
The report deals with methods used
by men and women procurerS to lure
women into this country for immoral
purposes The methods differ rs
adopted In different countries. In some
countries men and women In the busI-
ness, Of enticing innocent girls 10 the
United States. resort 70 profters Of at
tractive positions, and in many cases
offer themselves In marriage and fire.
quently risk prosecution on charges of
bigamy In order TO attain their de-
sires,
Much Of the evidence taken by the
agents OF the commission is given in
proof of statements made In the re-
port, and there are also afIidavits from
police officers and letters from govern
ment officials giving the character Of
evidence on which the report has been
based
The report says. concerning talk of
great monopollstic corporation
whose business 1t Is TO import and ex-
plot these unfortunate women:
The commission has been unable to
learn "a any such corporation and
does not believe in It's existence"
1t is stated. however. that persons
engaged In such importing business
doubtless have a wide acquaintance
among themselves, and In many In
stances they have rather close bust
ness relations one with another so as
10 prevent their victims from getting
out Of their clutches before they have
realized the desired profits from their
base ventures.
Under the head OF "Recommenda
tionS,' the commission SAYS:
Owing 10 the difference between
American and European regulations
regarding prostitution. cooperation
FOR the suppression Of the white
slave traffic cannot be expected from
most OF the European nations. ONLY
along certain lines. Most European
countries are rigid In their regulations
regarding the procuring for puposes
of prostitution OF minor girls or OF anv
woman by means of fraud and deceit
Women who are Of age. however
and who enter the business of their
own accord, are not intcrfered with.
From continental countries where
these conditions exist, practically no
cooperation, 1t is believed. can be ex.
pected TO prevent professional prostl-
tutes from sailing to the United
States. Such governments probably
would cooperate to prevent the seduc.
tion of minors or the fraudulent or
forcible exportation OF their women.
In tho main. however. the United
States government must rely upon its
own officials for the prevention Of this
traffic"
number OF suggestions OF admin.
lstrative changes and more rigid en-
iorcement OF existing regulations Inv
the department of commerce and la.
Dor, particularly by the bureau OF i'm.
migration, and amendments OF the i'm.
migration act itself, are submitted by
the commission.