The Penn's Grove record., 1913-01-31

%periences of other cities and countries
in dealing with it. Arrangements
were made, therefore, in the early
part of last winter to secure the serv-
ices Of George J. Kneeland, who had
directed the Chicago Vice Commission
Kneeland, with a corps Of assistants,
has been making a thorough and COM
~prehensive survey Of the conditions of
vice in New York City. This survey
has covered not only houses of prosti-
tuition, Raines Law hotels, disorderly
saloons, cafes and restaurants, mas
sage parlors and other places where
vicious people co~ngregate, but also
the personal histories of some two
thousand prostitutes; and a study of
all the case records for one year of a
great majority of the hospitals and
dispensaries in New York City, with
a view to ascertaining the prevalence
of venereal diseases and their ratio to
all other diseases. Mr.. Kneeland's re-
port is now in progress of preparation
and will be published within the next
two months.
At the same time, the Bureau was
fortunate in securing the services of
Abraham Flexner, whose reports on
the medical schools in this country
and in Europe are so well known, to
study the social evil and the various
methods of dealing with 1t in the lead
ing cities of Europe. Mr.. Flexner
spent the greater part of a year
abroad, making a searching and ex-
haustive inquiry into the subject, and
is now working on his report, which
will be ready for publication this
winter.
These studies are to be followed by
others, in those cities in the United
States where different conditions ex-
list or where special methods Of deal
ing with the social evil have been in
troduced, the object being to become
familiar with all phases of the subject
and all methods of handling it which
have been tried in this country and in
Europe.
In conclusion, it cannot be too
strongly emphasized that the spirit
which dominates the work of the Blu
reau is moi sensational or sentimental
or hysterical; that it is not a spirit of
criticism of public officials; but that it
is essentially a spirit of constructive
clooncfinn ond nf dam cnionfiEa nc
well as humane interest in a great
world problem.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Interviewed,
In answer to questions asked him
by a representative of one of the
evening papers, John D. Rockefeller,
Junior, gave out the following inter
view:
The idea of establishing a perma'
nent, organization to cope with the so,
cial evil in this city was the out
growth of my service of six months
as foreman of the Special White Slave
Grand Jury, appointed in New York
City, at the beginning of 1910. / came
oO thoC AAiC ~ LAS OAtChI Ill
horror of the evil and to believe that
it constitutes one of the great and
vital world problems of the day In
the judgment of eminent medical
men, it forms from the point of view
of disease, the greatest single menace
to the perpetuation Of the human
race. Therefore, as a result of con
ference with many people, the Bureau
of Social Hygiene was established.
Under the direction of the Bureau
Mr.. George j.. Kneeland, who conduct
ed the investigation carried on by the
Chicago Vice Commission, has made
a comprehensive study of vice condi
tons in this city; and Mr.. Abraham
Flexner hasp spent nearly a year
abroad, investigating the methods OF
dealing with this problem in the lead
ing cities of Europe. He will make
further studies in a number of the
larger cities of this country. AS each
of these studies is completed, it will
be published, and until this is done
the Bureau deems it unwise and pre-
IldlulS W CAplCoS oily C"OuCluSlOuS ds
to a method of dealing with the socia
evil in this city. 1t is hoped that the
press and the public will be disposed
to await the result of these studies
before formulating conclusions.
In answer to your question as tt
whether the unfortunate woman is 6
victim or a contributor to her Owl
vicious career, l say un~hesitatingly
that in the vast majority of cases she
is a victim. Prostitution as now cor
Quoted in this country and in Europe
is very largely a mans business; the
ONE are merely tools in the hand!
of the stronger sex. 1t is a business
run for profit and the profit is large
It is my belief that less than twenty
five per cent. of the prostitutes in thi
country would haven fallen if they
had had an equally good chance tt
lead a pure life. That they have beer
dragged into the mire in such large
numbers is due to a variety of circum
stances, among which are poverty
low wages, improper home condition:
and lack Of training, the desire tt
crafty the natural craving for amuse
ment, pretty things, ETC.; but whil'
all of these and many others may b.
contributing causes, man is chiefly re
sponsible for their fall.
Thus far the work of the Bureau
has been financed by it's members AM
a few interested friends, and this viii
continue to be the case until a larger
and more formal organization is con
sidered advisable. To it's future finan
cial policy it is not now necessary t.
give attention. AS it's needs grow
there are numbers of men and WON
en- in this city who, l am confident