New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-23

lpar,ment OF Justice into the white slave
traffic was also discussed. One OF the
means proposed as basic relief for women
was the enactment OF a federal minimum
wage law.
Senator Juul urged an appropriation by
! Congress for homes for girls in SIX or
seven great Industrial centres. where
women. travelling from state TO state
could be cared for while seeking employ
ment
Lieutenant Governor O'Hara urged par
ticuarly that the national conference BE
called either this summer or in the fall.
I lie stated that the Governors of thirty
two states already had agreed 10 join in
the movement.
Mr.. Wilson impressed.
President Wilson thanked the commits
sioners foi their presentation OF the SUB
ject.
Il do not believe ! can grasp the full
gravity OF the situation from this brief
outline" said the President. but If YOU
will leave with me your recommendations
and record of your investigation. ] can
assure YOU / will give the matter serious
attention"
a
sioner of the British Federation for Ia"
fermentation Of Sweated Women and
Girls and White Slavers. had a conference
with Mr. O'IIara during the morning. ana
acccui,anied the Illinois commission TO
! the White House. The ILLINOIS lhVeSu-
gators in an executive session Determined
not 10 go 10 New York at this time but
10 return TO Springfield from Washington
and visit New York later.
At the hearing which the Illinois COM
mission conducted later several hundred
prominent welfare workers. clerSymeh'
officials and many women prominent !"
Washington social and club life were III
vlted. Lieutenant Governor Ohara VS.
DESTROYS Of learning the opinions oil "ohl-
on who moved in high social circles con-
corning the influence upon working gins
~ tho extravaganc. of women OF wealth.
Among prominent women who accepted
,rvitations to the conference We're Mrs.
Edison BradIey Mrs. Hcnneen jennings
wife Of "A South African diamond mill
ionaire. Mrs. Christian Hemm!ck' Nine.
Hayenith. wife of the Belgian Minister;
Sonora Riano. wife of the Spanish Minis
fer Mrs. Huntington Wilson and Mrs. W.
Murray Crane.
Auainst Society Column
At the outset Of the hearing Mr.. . Iia'a
made public a letter from Edith vi.
Thomas. a socially prominent Nashi'b-
ton woman. who recommended the aD-I-
ishucnt OF The society column OF inc
newspapers.
.Jf fashionable women really wish 10 40
eometbing good" she wrote. they can
accomplish much by discourashs ana uo-
inc away with the society column ana
cbeap personal write-ups. J should n''
call the fashionable womans example
cause of vice, but it does enter INTO Az
ir,nortant part of the life OF the masF"a
hoyond doubt. The world il enters AM
intiences Is the world OF simple peopie
,,.ho NV "a live beyond their means
Senator BealI ;old the assemolase th"'
,olt q dozon Of the large department
a,oro. :, Chicago had increased the WAGES
~ oirls since the commissions inquiry
NJ Foster of the British Federation
was the first witness. lie oeciareu '''"'
the white slave" traffic in London was
an organized industry. Recently ne sai''
parliament passed a law establishing the
whining post for men convicted Of hNIhs
ON the Illegal earnings of women
Nr Foster said he had established
through an investigation IN a certain
CITY. that at least so per cent Oh INC
women who fell did so because OF starNa-
,ion wages Men and women, bOth III
England and America. were living 100
fast he thought and expressed the be
lief that women who wore fine clothing
g., .ft imfnDr
alitv. through the temptation anorded
girls who craved fine raiment
Federal Results.
Stanley w. Finch. special agent of the
Department of Justice for the suppression
Of the white slave" traffic. detailed TO
the commission the work of the federal
authorities. so far as ii has progressed.
Mr.. Finch asserted that in the five nun
dred convictions for violation OF the
white slave" law it had been found that
the victims had beer, influenced by low
wages in many instances
Mr.. Finch said the government investl-
pators estimated that there were twenty
five thousand men in this country en-
gagged In procuring women for white
slavery" The work of the department,
he said. already had resulted in de-
crease in the traffic. In 90 per cent oil
,he cases or fallen women. Mr.. Finch de-
cIared. men were primarily at fault.
Asked by Mr.. O'Hara what he thought
Of the whipping post as punishment for
seduction. Mr.. Finch replied
Hanging is none too good for them
in many cases"
Il