Arizona republican., 1911-01-01
A Plea for the Children.

The following letter from a valued reader is worthy of both space and comment:
 ITO the Editor of The Republican, Dear Sir: From time to time we mo- tice in the columns of your valuable paper. various improvements, both in regard to city developments and for the uplift of man in various ways.
 Now, what about the little girls frequently not yet in their teens. not show girls'-who wander about in the show neighborhood. day and evening; most flashily dressed chill dren, going in and out through res taurants without stopping; going up and down the streets. then around some corner. and off with some one, to a meal-and then what?
 ITO a newcomer these conditions are not only alarming. but sickening. Have not these little ones mothers, or any one at home to protect them and to care when they go out. care where they go, or whom they are with? Why don't they find out? Or, don't they care what becomes of them? Is there no protection or warn ing to be expected from the city officials? Is there not much more danger right here for our boys and girls, and more need for pub lie interest than in many other things that seem to claim peoples attention? What are these officials for. if such matters do not claim some attention? Newcomers who have not spent enough time here to become accustomed to such things. but for several months have watched conditions. say that you have done some things for mans betterment, but very much remains to be done. Why does not somebody see to it along these lines? These things are going on daily. and 1t does seem that some thing might and should be done, with mode downfalls."
 We do not suppose our correspon dent has overdrawn the picture. The ruin into which young girls and young boys are permitted to fall in every city through the laxity of government in their homes is. however, a matter for parents and not for the police. speaking generally. The allurements of cheap shows furnish abundant ex- cuse. apparently. for permitting chill dren to leave their homes unattended by their elders. It is assumed that they go to the shows and mo- where else. It is assumed that the spectacles at the shows are harm less in their influence. Both assump- tions are wrong. Within the last year or two cheap and popular vaude- vile shows have sprung up like mush- rooms in every town. The distin- gushing feature is a ballet" of frow- sy girls. working hard for ther wages and doing their best to furnish the entertainment required of them To people of mature years the exhibi- tions are generally dreary indeed. But to young girls and young boys, the show girl'' is a heroine. and her vur- gar. suggestive antics on the stag. are entertaining and attractive. The show girl herself may. in her conduct off the stage. be a pattern of virtue. but in order to earn her wages she is required to make her modesty con- spicuous by its absence. To the on- looking young girl, the thought nat urally suggests itself: 'If those girls on the stage make themselves attrac- tive and popular by brazen vulgarity. why can't do the same? The modest girl is back number. My mother is behind the times" So, she leaves the. show more than prepared to meet half way the advances of flattering ''men'' And for many of the young boys who witness these nightly spec tacles. it spells damnation.
 But it is not a situation for the po- lice. The police have no right to in- terfere except in the case of open mis- conduct It is a case for parents. Our territorial industrial school is filled 10