The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-06-20
CLEANING FARGO
UP PROPERLY
Monster Mass Meeting Held
Last Night-Sensational
Speeches Given.

Fargo. \. D.. June 2n.--An atmoS-
ph"re suggesting IN" Billy Sunday
meetings prevailed last night at the
tabtrnhCic, where upwards uf Loo
people, about equally divided between
men and women. gathered for the
mass meeting which had been thor
n'iignly hcraldcd throughout the city.
There We're several stirring speeches
and the charges OF Superintendent T..
l.. Watkins OF the North Dakota En-
forrencnt league proved i'm many in
stances OF a sensational nature. 4
resolution hcartily commencing the
mayor and city administration in The
action taken in the interests of abol-
isii!ng the red light district. and
lending assurance that moral support
II cooperation will he exercised by
III" people. was adopted unanimously
ny Il standing vote. .
President CrccSan Prcsidcs.
President Charles c. Creegan of
Fargo college. presided. and in his
opening remarks declared that the
Fargo as the most beautiful city in
the west. "Wc have here very much
t" he proud Of" he said. Fargo is
the most beautiful city i'm the most
beautiful valley III the world. All of
our churches and our various organi-
cations having as their object the best
Interests of the city. and | speak for
all of YOU as we'll as myself when
say that we are not content to hear
strangers speak only of our bes uty ana
enterprise: we want along With our
beautiful city. also a clean city; a
safe place for the children who are
growing up in IL community: a safe
plar" for the youth coming here to our
educational institutions.
we want fathers and mothers far
AVIAN 10 feel that we are making it
safe for their children in our midst.
we are under great obligations to
the man whom n little while ago.. was
elected by our votes as mayor of our
city, and we are pleased to find he is
making good. 1t takes no small
mount of moral courage and no small
amount of heroism to stand in the face
OF great opposition. and he needs the
moral support of all the people of the
city. and We are assembled tonight to
let nm know that we are with him"
superintendent Watkins.
Superintendent T.. L. Watkins was
then Introduced, and told of the efforts
eNerted here by the North Dakota
Enforcement league, Detectives We're
mployed in Fargo. he said. and their
report includes some fourteen pages
of closely typewriter matter.
Within the past week ] have been
giving the matter my personal atten-
ton h." said. and l have affidavits
dealing with twenty or more places of
prostitution in the city of Fargo. We
have what your city attorney regards
as good evidence against these places.
which. if pursued. will ten to have
them LOCKED UP. and the inmates will
be put in Jail.
My report shows at least fourteen
separate houses Of prostitution in the
red light district and in these houses
are prostitutes. white and colored. 10
the numbe of tifty-five."
States Attorney Has Evidence.
Il have evidence Of youn" iris VIII ,
were ruined elsewhere and sent ia
Fargo's red light district. and all of
this evidence is now in the hands of
the states attorney.
II heard the mayor this evening in.
struct his officers to visit the uptown
places, and inform the inmates that
they must 90. and remain away per-
m%anentl%, and to inform the owners
of the buildings that the rooms have
been unlaWfully maintained and If a
second warming ls necessary. the build
ings will be locked up for a veal and
the prostitutes punished to the fullest
extent of the law.
Get Ecilipd Officials.
Il believe the mayor, the city at
torney and ihe police force mean bust
ness. and ! want o to get behind
them and push. You cannot expect to
succeed unless the officials have the
moral support necessary. and that is
what we want o to furnish.
1T makes no difference whom it
might concern. no l%eniency will h..
shown if further evidence is brought
to light. You can fight the liquor
business with the law. but to fight this