The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-10
"WHITE SLAVE" REPORT
Issued by immigration Commission
With Recommendations.

| Washington, Dec 10.-Stories of
revolving practices of American and
foreign procurerS of women for i'm
portation into the United States for
port issued today by the immigration
commission. The commissions recon-
mendations contemplate a closer
scrutiny of the admission of alien
women and renewed efforts to stamp
out the so-caIled white slave traffic
In explanation of laying bare to the
public the horrible details of dis
coveries by its agents, the commission
says the white slave traffic" is the
most pitiful and the most revolting
This business has assumed large pro-
portions and it has been exertirg so
evil an influence upon the country that
the commission declares it felt COM
PEELED to make it the subject of a
thorough investigation
The inquiry covered the cities of
New York, Chicago, San Francisco,
Seattle, Portland. Salt Lake, Ogden,
Butte, Denver, Buffalo, Boston and
New Orleans. The commission be-
lieves that enough evidence has been
obtained from these localities suf-
ficiently scattered to warrant the re-
ports being used as a 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. In some countries men and
women in the business of ertjcing
innocent girls to the United States re-
sort to profferS of attractive positions
and in many cases the men offer
themselves in marriage and frequently
risk prosecution on charges: of bigamy
to attain their desires. Much evil
dence taken by the commission is
affidavits from police officers and let
ters from government officials giving
the character of evidence on which
the report has been based.
No Organization Found.
The report says concerning talk of a
great snonopohStic corporation whose
business it is to import and exploit
these unfortunate women:
.eThe commission has been unable to
learn of any such corporation ard does
not believe in its existence"
It is stated. however, that persons
doubtless have a wide acquaintance
among themselves and in many in
stances have close business relations,
thus preventing their victims from get
ting out OF their clutches before they
have realized the desired profits from
their base ventures
Under the head of 'tRecommenda-
tions" the commission says:
owing to the difference between
European and American views regard
preston OF the white slave traffic can
be expected from most of the European
rations only along certain lines. Most
foreign countries are rigid in their reg
ulations regarding the procuring for
purpose of prostitution of minor girls
or of any women by means of fraud and
deceit. Women, who are of age, how
ever, and who enter the business of
their own accord are not interfered
with. From continental countries where
these conditions exist practically no CO
operation could be expected to prevent
professional prostitutes from sailing to
the United States. Such government
probably would cooperate to prevent
.he seduction of minors or the fraudu-
lent or forcible expectation of their wo-
men. In tie main. however the United
States government must rely upon it's
cwn officials for prevention of this traf-
flc.'
A number of suggestions of admins
trative changes and more rigid enforce
n1ent of existing regulations by the de-
partment of commerce and labor partic-
ularly by the bureau of immigration
ard amendments of the immigration act
itself, are submitted by the commits