Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-03-28
LONE GIRLS SAT-
INDEPOTSHERE,
SAYS MATRON
only Three or Four Attempts at
White Slavery at AtIanta's
Terminal Station in Year.

When it becomes necessary for girl
N travel alone, here are two rules,
-rrfch. If observed, will aid her to avoid
Danger:
DON'T speak to or ask questions of
strangers. Always get your nfor-
nation from a uniformed railroad
employee or a policeman. If pos
sibe, 90 20 travellers aid.
DON'T travel without definite Idea
Of your destination. II you are
aoIng TO a certain address, have
the number and name of the street
written down.
IN the last year there have not been
more than three or four instances
where men have tried to force their
acouaintance upon young girls in the
terminal station!"
with this remarkable statement, Mrs.
+ ". Payne, matron in charge of the
station branch of the Atlanta Women's
Missionary Association, crowned the
york of six years and stamped Allan
+a's' great railroad station as one Of the
gafest places in the United States for
iris who are travelling alone.
The few instances of attempted white
Mrs. Payne happened during the early
mart Of the year. In the last eight
months not Single case has come to
her attention.
Mrs Payne has accomplished her re-
markable work by being able to detect
the appeal, the longing for companion
shin and sympathy, that invariably ap-
Daars In the countenance of young girls
whom circumstances have compelled to
travel alone; and last but not least, by
"motnering" the young girls who come
10 her notice.
Gets Girls Confidence.
Il try to get the confidence of every
glri." Mrs. Payne said to-day, "an5
when | have obtained that the battle
is won. I watch each incoming train,
and through long experience have
earned to distinguish the girls who
seem to need care and advice, and /
Try to give my personal attention to
every girl who appears to be travelling
alone.
My manner Of approaching the girls,
II course, varies with each one; so that
can not say have definite method
II procedure. always, however, learn
tirst Of all if the girl is a stranger in
Atlanta. If she is I ask whether she is
axpecting any one to meet her. II she
is not then / have q basis to work on,
and II later / see her with a man or
woman, I investigate and learn the
identity and, Il possible, the character
Of her companion.
All Of the young girls who come I'M
der my notice I try to get seat near
my desk, where l can mother them to
my hearts content.
Finds Their Relatives.
IT a girl has come to Atlanta TO visit
relatives and has forgotten their adj
4ress l locate them for her; if she has
one here to find work usually try to
induce her TO return to her home.
Atlanta is already overcrowded with
experienced girls who are working in
factories and laundries for wages
scarcely large enough to pay room rent,
and more are coming every day. If the
girl persists in her deterpination to
ind work, try to sendNher to a good
boarding house and aid her in every
way possible
1t has been my observation that the
danger to girls in railway stations is
somewhat exaggerated, though there is
no doubt that considerable danger ex-
lists. Nine times out of ten, however, If
girl attends strictly to her own bust
ness she viii be in comparatively little
danger.
Aid 500 in Year.
Il am never uneasy about q girl who
is frank and open and who places her
self unreservedIy in my hands. but
when q girl refuses 10 talk I always
arch her and aid her whether she de-
slres it or not.
The number of girls we aid varies
from two or three to twenty-five or
thirty each day. We have record Of
more than 500 cases for last year, all
Of whom were helped in various ways.
We have done our best, and l think
we may safely say now that the Ter
mlnal station in Atlanta is as safe for
Young girls travelling alone as any place
In the country"