Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-01-21
"WHTTE-SLAVE IRA FFIO."

An effort is being made in Congress to
amend an act entitled IAN act to regulate
the immigration Of aliens into the United
States" approved February 20, 1907. The
purpose of the amendment is TO deal a
death blow towhat is known as the white
slave traffic. :" which has assumed large
proportions and is exerting an evil in
fiuence upon this country
This traffic is nothing more nor less than
the importation and harboring Of alien
women and girls for immoral purposes and
is not only the most pitiful and most re-
voting phase Of the immigration question,
but is a violation of the immigration law
and Of the treaty made with the European
powers.
A special committee Of the National I'm
migration Commission has recently made
an investigation Of the white slave traffic"
and the disclosures made expose a prac-
tice so wicked, inhuman and revolving that
they have shocked the moral sense of the
American people. and justify the most
stringent legislation it is possible for Con-
gress to enact for the suppression of the
business and the punishment of those en-
Gagged in it. The work Of the commission
served two-fold purpose, in that it not
only furnished Congress with facts suffi-
cient to warrant drastic legislation, but it
also furnished great deal Of evidence
used in the conviction and punishment of
many engaged in this detestable traffic.
The investigation covered not all, but
many of the larger cities of the country,
and resulted in the finding of sufficient
evidence to show that the traffic is carried
on in all our large cities Not only has the
national law concerning the importation
of alien women and girls been violated,
but the inadequacy of the law itself to
protect our country against such importa-
tons is now well understood.
1t is not necessary to dwell at length
upon the evil effects Of the white slave
traffic. They are apparent to everyone
who has given the subject a moments
thought. The women who come into this
country innocent and are placed in this
business. either against their will or other
wise, enter upon life of such physical
ills and moral degradation that relatively
few find it possible to regain any status
of respectability or comfortable living.
Occasionally agents Of the commission
have found one and another who have
been rescued from the slavery. others have
gladly abandoned the life, a few have
married, but these cases are rare The
usual history is one of increased deera-
dation until death.
The imperative need Of stopping this
traffic is undoubtedly apparent to all. The
Vllest practices are brought to this country
from continental Europe. and beyond
doubt there has come from imported
women and their procurers the most bes-
tial refnements of depravity.
The bill under consideration provides that
the importation into the United States of any
alien for the purpose of prostitution or for
any other immoral purpose is hereby for
hidden; and whoever shall, directly or in
directly, attempt to import into the United
States any alien for the purpose of pros
titution or for any other immoral purpose
Or whoever shall hold or attempt to hold
any alien for any such purpose in pursu-
ance of such Illegal importation, or whoever
shall keep, maintain. control. support, en-
ploy. or harbor in any house. or any place,
for the purpose of prostitution or for any
other immoral purpose, in pursuance of
such Illegal importation, any alien shall in
every such case be deemed guilty of a
felony and on conviction thereof be i'm
prisoned not more than ten years and pay
fine of not more than $4,000.
This legislation should be passed and
put into effect at the earliest possible mo-
ment. No punishment is too severe for
the brutes in human form, whether male
or female, who engage in such diabolical
traffic.