The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-06-18
DOWN ON
EVIL RESORTS
Fargo Police Get Instrue-
tons to Close Up the
Bawdy Houses.

Fargo. N. D., June 16.-Following
the instructions of Mayor w. D. Sweet.
Chief Of Police Con Keefe last night
put the finishing touch to q campaign
against Fargo's undesirables and the
houses Of i'll repute which they in
habit. A dozen or moro places, In
what is Familiarity known a. the red
light" district were visited by the
tons that the fragrant violations Of
law and decency will no longer be
tolerated and the business must cease
and not again be resumed In this city.
There are no CONCESSIONS; total
suppression Is what was demanded by
the mayor. and the chief is determined
that his instructions shall be followed
out to the letter.
All is o quiet in tho "red light"
district. and the crusade is not Of a
temporary nature, say the authorities.
All will be quiet in the future, they
insist. and anyone daring to violate
instructions will be prosecuted to the
fullest extent. The mayor has turned
thumbs down on the evil practice. and
the chief will see to 1t that his in
structions are carefully followed.
ready to back up Mayor Sweet in this
matter.
Mayors Statement.
I In speaking Of the action taken last
night. Mayor Sweet said:
Aside from the proposition that the
ordinances must be enforced, the
question Of segregation Of the social
evil is sometimes al academic one; It
Is a question at times where 1t IL diff
tions. Things have reached q stage In
Fargo. however. where hat difficulty
has about vanished. The conditions In
the red light district seem to have
passed the bounds of partial suppress
sion or regulation-even IL such things
were admissible. I do not believe I
am misinformed of the facts. that the
bold publicity. offensive solicitation.
and fragrant violation Of even that
standard of decency, has so far trans-
cended the limits Of public endurance
that there is nothing left as a remedy
but total suppression, once and for all.
Youth Drawn In.
THE evil seems, as the years go by.
to wax fat upon itself and to reach
out in a widening circle Of poisonous
influence. Students in parties fire.
rounds in a riot of dissipation; boys
Of tender age are drawn within the
maelstrom and ruined for life. It il
needless to dilate upon 1t. the die il
cast; but I have not come to this con-
clusion In haste nor in the spirit of q
fanatic. but only after careful consid-
GRAFTON. passing in review the petit
lions, representations. interviews. facts
and arguments pro and on. I be-
lieve the overwhelming sentiment Of
the people will confirm the course
taken.
Strength Of Protest.
Il am not more surprised at the dis
closures of conditions than at the mass
and strength of protest. Whether the
Sunday meetings. the Lutheran con-
vention. h churches and civic socie-
doubt II it is local. The same thing
is going on in Minneapolis and a hun
dred other places-it looks like the
rising Of a resistless tide Of moral
sentiment. Officials may find them
selves in the track Of an avalanche;
they must either move or, or be
crushed.
Expense to City.
There is a large student population
in this city which constitutes an en-
ormous source Of the revenue Of the
city. The red light district is no In
ducement for a continuance or the in
crease of this population. On the
other hand, as l am now satisfied. it
Is a detriment Of its growth. In no
sense is this district a source Of wealth
to Fargo; it is rather an expense. AS
themselves involve a sum which is
expended on the hand without any
returns. or on the other hand. for
benefit, or a commodity that is real.
The merchants and the red light dis
trict are in the final analysis COM
petitors; it is the product Of industry
against beer and lust"
StAtAs~ AAA----,, YvyaSn ~------x
|. THE laws Of this state cover bawdy
houses. both by declaring the keeping
OF such houses to be a crime and pro-
viding penalties therefor by fine and
imprisonment, and by declaring such
places to be public n~uisances and pro-
viding that they may be abated by
closing them for n year.
You can a that I will. cooperate
with Mayor Sweet and Mr.. Watkins.
superintendent OF the enforcement
league. in this matter, and that the
state laws. both criminal and civil.
Will be vigorously enforced to their
fullest extent"
Gathered Evidence.
F. l.. Watkins. superintendent Of
the North Dakota Enforcement league.
when asked what he thought Of
houses Of i'll repute in the city, said:
Il have been interested for some
months in Fargo. and have, at the re-.
quest Of citizens. gathered q great
deal OF evidence against ~violator1 Of
the law.
Must Be Suppressed.
u am glad the mayor has reached
this conclusion. It 10 in harmony with
the finding Of the New York. Chicago
and Minneapolis vice commissions
that bawdy houses cannot be. reRil.
lated by aggregation, but must be sup
pressed. and In the face. Of the North
Dakota law relating to prostitution, q
the only position tenable by officials
or citizens. Law must not be MINI,
ned: 1t must be obeyed.
THE North Dakota Enforcement
league has q large secret vigilance
committee In Fargo. and expects to
perfect this organization until liquor
and gambling Joints and houses OF
prostitution cannot hide in Fargo. We
VIII give the mayor every assistance
possible to enforce this order"
Has Hindered Schools.
relative to the mayors pfoclama.
uon. II. II: Aaker OF Aaker's business
college. said:
Il hope the mayors edict will be
carefully adhered to-. 1t 10 really too
2 when the schools are dojne all
they can to bring young mon and
young women to Fargo to receive their
that such influences. should
surround them. There IL no auestfon
but that in the past this matter M
been one OF the things which Kept
parents from sending their ohildttn
mere. n l've seen parents take thor
eniioren pack home after looking over