New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-15
ROOT OUT SOCIAL EVIL,
POLICE WOMAN SAYS
Mrs. Wells, Feminine Member
of Los Angeles Force, Is
Against Segregation.


Los Angeles is a grand little city and
especially is its police force uneXcelled
By any in the country. This peculiar de-
gree of excellence is impaired to the po-
lice force not only by the honesty OF the
city administration in general but also
by the presence upon ii OF three women
members. one of whom takes care OF
adult cases. while the others devote
themselves TO looking after delinquent
children.
This information was brought TO town
Yesterday by the first and most important
woman member OF the Los Angeles Po-
lice Department. Mrs. Alice Steboens
Wells, and was delivered 10 two hundred
members Of the City Club at its first Sat
urday luncheon Of the season yesterday
afternoon. While Mrs. Wells spoke
frankly and freely Of conditions In her
own city and Others she has visited, Mrs.
Isabella Goodwin, acting detective ser
geant I'm the New York Police Depart
ment, sat by. forbidden by her Commits
sioner, "for the good Of the department
from adding word 10 the discussion.
the summer uniform of the feminine
portion OF Los Angeless guardians OF the
peace II consisted OF simple suit OF
olive, drab. ornamented by shining
shield and the letters -. A. F. d
worked upon the collar. touch OF
femninity was added by an almost in
visible white braid around the neck. Mrs.
Wells completed the touch by smoothing
down her coat several times in the course
Of her address.
Two Great Problems OF Age.
Though herself OF slight proportions, the
woman officer OF Los Angeles did not
dodge the weighty questions with which
she felt IL the duty OF her department TO
deal. Every age has had its problems, che
maintained. and thus far none had been
cowardly IN dealing with them. The two
great problems which faced this age. the
solution Of which would mean practically
the solution OF all problems az social
welfare, were prostitution and the saloon.
She continued:
The Mayor Of our city declares he Will
not be a Mayor OF city where the laws
are not enforced. The Police Colnmls-
sOuer says he viii not head depart
ment which does not enforce the law,
The whole city administration is Jolhe9
together in the night for decency ana
The battles OF past ages have been
fought out on the battlefield. The Dat,
ties Of the future are TO be morai am
intellectual. The greatest one that con
fronts ny is the roofing out OF the soclal
evil II should not exist IL has no place
In our civilization. II was once consid
cred "A matter Of personal inoral,ty, Out
We can consider IL that no longer.
We now know that every individual
has his reflex influence on the whole
community. We know now there ~
terrible physical consequence. whether
those who practice IL are put OF IN
corner OF the city or not. Thousands ot
women. good women. whom the SuSpl-
cion Of evil never touched, are sunerins
from this consequence, ana more BoOd
women are suffering from II than women
OF the underworld. all told. Education
and legislation must wipe II out. and they
will wipe II out. but not until We attack
the contributory factors. ] don't know
OF any crime so great as sending your
little children out on the streets, hear
ing everything and seeing everything,
with no rudder OF truth To guide them.
AZ for the saloon. II should be
deprived Of It's unnatural functions-
such as taking the place OF the poor
mans club aud acting as bank out or
hours-and Il could then he fought on
It's own merits Los Angeles. Mrs. Wells
remarked, had only 200 saloons to 10000
people, and they were all confined TO one
limited zone.
Need Women on Force.
The object Of having women on the
police force. Mrs. Wells explained, was
not TO usurp the duties of the men. but
TO do tho work which they could not do
80 we'll This lay particularly In enforc-
Ing the ordinances Affecting dance nails.
moving picture houses and such amuse-
ments OF the young. Always. she said.
il had been women who guarded little
children, and now that the young peo-
pl, were finding their amusements more
and more outside OF the family circle. II
was only right the women should follow
10 protect them.
Another important duty OF the woman
officer, she remarked. was the settling
OF domestic disputes. Many women came
to her. she said, who would not think OF
going TO desk sergeant at police sta
ton. And i'm this. she pleaded for more
cooperation from the public. saying the
police department was the least under
stood OF any In the public service, and
that until sO-called respectable people
were willing to appear In the police
courts to help the police In cOnVicting the