Evening star., 1912-01-20
AIDS THE MOVEMENT
AGAINST LOAN SHARKS
Woman's Welfare Department
of Civic Federation Takes
Aggressive Part.

The Washington branch of the Wom-
ans Welfare Department of the National
Civic Federation is taking an aggressive
part In the campaign against usury by
the loan organizations of the District
of Columbia, II was announced at its
meeting this week in the Southern biuld-
ing.
The president, Mrs. Archibald Hopkins,
presided. a discussion was held in re-
gard to the attitude of Congress toward
the loan shark question. Mrs. Hop
Nns reviewed the progress which
remedial loan association legislation has
made throughout the country. with par
ticular reference as to what has been
done in the District. She enumerated
what some of the leading cities. through
their commercial and philanthropic
bodies, are doing to put check upon
the most fragrant evils of the short-time
money loaning agencies"
Become Fixtures in Commerce.
She said that while usury in its SIM
plest form doubtless dates from the days
of creation, yet it is only within the last
quarter of a century that the loan
shark offices. with an alarmingly in
creasing- clientage, have become recog-
Money loaning organizations" the
speaker said, have multiplied in all parts
of the country until now there is LARGELY
a city of 10000 or over which has not
one or more-usually many more-of these
places. Innumerable firms are known to
conduct a half dozen or more Offices in
as many cities, while in addition to the
vast number of local houses there are the
men who conceal their occupation to
avoid payment of the high license tax"
-
day Evening Club nearly two years ago
began the agitation against local loan
Office methods.
six per cent is the maximum legal
rate for money lending in the District,
but for an indefinitely long period
usurious rates have been charged neces-
sitous borrowers, and most piteous suf-
fering has often resulted"
Committee Drafts Bill.
She said: ITO do away with this state
Of affairs committee from the Monday
Night Club in connection with commit
tee from the Associated Charities came
together and drafted bill to regulate
the business of money loaning by this
class of money lenders In the District
which provided a per cent a month in
terest-bearing schedule. Shortly after
ward the bill was introduced and passed
the Senate and in spite Of strong oppo-
sition was favorably reported by the
House committee to which 1t was refer
red. But Congress adjourned without
the enactment of the bill and its history
has been varied since them. For an
other year 1T met the fate of the MAORI
ty Of the bills which are introduced into
Congress- 1t was shuffied from chamber
TO committee and from committee to
chamber. twice amended. but never en-
acted"
I'm the meantime" Mrs. Hopkins ex-
planned, 1.-The woman's welfare depart
ment became interested in the matter
and threw the influence of its member
ship with the other two organizations
Mrs. Hopkins and Mrs. Richard VAIN
wright were appointed special commit
tee to look after the bill and made re-
peated trips to the Capitol to watch its
progress. With many of their sister
welfare workers they tried to interest
the members of Congress. Twice within
the last few months the bill has been
before the House.
Where Blame Rests.
Our representatives in Congress want
10 help US in securing righteous legisla-
tion." said Mrs. Hopkins. but the poor
men have so many bills to look after for
their individual constituents that we can
not blame them for forgetting our Dis
trict needs. We are not to blame for
this. but we are TO blame ourselves
The bill regulating the loan offices OF
the District is to come before the House
of Representatives next Monday. A
friend on the floor. ii Is explained. will
offer another amendment which will
make the interest rate per cent a
month schedule. which II Is claimed has
been found the lowest rate feasible foI
the short time loans.
A discussion followed Mrs Hopkins
address as to the best methods of inter.
esting the members of Congress. A lee.
ture by John Andrew. secretary Of the
American Association for Labor Legisla-
ton, will be given at the residence OF
Mrs. A. J. Parsons. 1Io1 18th street, nexi
Wednesday morning. IL will take the
place of the regular session OF the well
faro department