The Washington herald., 1913-06-11
COUNTRY
CRUSADE ON VICE
CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE.

the conclusion that eradication of the
evil was an impossibility. But By grad
ual process of segregation and elimina-
ton and by rigid enforcement Of police
re equations although without the aid OF
adequate law, the department succeeded
In reducing the legallzed vice OF the Dis
trict, until at present the city contains
no more than sixty houses of Ill repute,
including both colored and white.
Il have come to a realization OF the
fact that segregation means ultimate
elimination l think that the process
should be conducted without public proc
lamation and without the accompaniment
of the public press brass band effects.
have been antagonized by members OF
local and national reform bureaus be-
cause l have not favored absolute elm
nation; but gentlemen, I am subject to
the policy of the District Commissioners,
and their policy has been to reduce and
eliminate gradually by segregation.
THE department has a map of every
disorderly house in Washington. to-
Gether with names of the inmates and
other valuable information. A glance at
this map will show the progress which
has been made during the last fifteen
years. We have been handicapped be-
cause of lack of adequate law; at pres
ent there is no measure on the statute
books which penalties persons for rent
ing houses for disorderly purposes. In
the courts ADDITIONAL troubles are met
with. IT is very difficult to secure hrst-
hand evidence in cases respecting dis
orderly houses, without the use Of
pigeons" and you all know how much
faith the courts have in such witnesses.
Remedy Is Provided.
The Kenyon red light bill, which has
been reported favorably by the House.
provides a remedy for conditions through
the use of the injunction. Under the
proposed measure. the renter or owner
of a disorderIy house may be proceeded
against upon Information filed with the
prosecuting attorney by a person &C.
Quainted with the situation. II the ac-
cusations are well founded. the court
may order the house closed, its para
phernalia confiscated, and a penalty i'm
posed upon the offender, II the courts
mandate is not complied with.
such measure would effectually close
every disorderly house in the city. 1t
would also make it possible to proceed
against disorderly persons located in the
residential sections, especially in apart
ment houses. | am in favor of eradi-
cation, but II cannot reasonably be put
into effect at the present time, for what
would be done with the inmates OF these
houses. Mr.. Finch. of the Department of
Justice, who has been aiding materially
in handling the vice situation in the Dis
trict, believes with me that only through
education and sympathy on the part OF
the general public will il be possible to
wipe the disorderly house completely from
the city. The route is not by force, but
by education and kindness.
THE advocates of the teaching of sex
and social hygiene have aided greatly
in the crusade against the disorderly
house. The department has made an
honest effort TO do what has been best.
and II is ready to take advantage Of
every new idea which may be OF service
in remedying vice conditions in the Capt.
tai. The great problem is. what are w.
to do with the inmates OF these houses if
elimination is finally brought about. In
my opinion they should be given every
opportunity to reform. and then. and
then only. if they refuse TO grasp the
opportunity, they should be imprisoned"