Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-05
If You REALLY Wish to Do Some
thing.

women, boys and girls, are asking
what can l do to help? can see evils
everywhere but how can 1 do anything
worth while?"
There is a mighty problem-how to
overcome social traditions and combat
the vicious growths long tolerated
through moral cowardice. 1t Is being
solved in many ways, slowly and dis
hearteningly, to be sure, but the very
magnitude of the undertaking is rails
ing up a moral army, and Is clarifying
tho vision of thousands who have been
blind to the evil part which they have
been more or less unwittingly playing
In some cities of the country boy
Scouts are doing remarkable service
in braeing up the civic conscience
They are not only earnest and enthusi-
astic but they have the courage OF
their convictions in openly opposing sa-
looms, gambling, swearing and vulgar
language in public places, cruelty to
animals and children, and doing away
almost entirely with truancy. The very
example of these boys is building up'
the moral courage of men of the COM
munities, laws are more easily and
strictly enforced, and crime and vice
are rapidly decreasing.
There is something that boys may
do!
In some cities the experiment of
clothing earnest and responsible Chris
tan young men with police authority
without pay. of course) is doing won
ders for municipal cleanliness and NOR
al progress.
There is something for young men
to do!
But the most novel of all. and per-
haps the most far-reaching df it does
not die after a brief splurge and some
particularly discouraging demonstra-
ton of the power and hellish meanness
OF associated evils in such great city,
is the movement in New York city by
feminine cops" who are already doing
police duty Many of the girl cops are
still in school. Their efforts are being
directed to the prevention and suppress
sion Of vice, crime and ignorance. Sew
cral of them are very young-their
ages ranging from Il to IS. They wear
badges and are divided into beats"
Each girl is responsible for her own
district and reports any irregularity
to the head of the organization, who
sends in a report to the proper city Of
fetal.
Before girl becomes a member of
the force she signs pledge in which
she promises to help in maintaining
sanitary conditions in the streets and
in the homes. They are pledged to be
on the alert for violations of the build
ing laws, keep fire escapes free from
rubbish, and to be on the lookout for
contagious diseases. They are in
structed to prevent any of their weaker
called straight" In fact they are to
report any crime or evil conduct they
see. One of the most important duties,
and one in which they are of great as
sistance to the various rescue societies,
is their work in dance halls, moving
picture theatres. ice cream parlors and
similar centres of amusement. Through
the older girls who attend the dances
the organization is able to furnish po-
lice officials reports that will supply
the latter with evidence enough to
clean the dance halls Of the vicious ele-
ment. If the police girls" prove as
successful as the police boys" en- or
ganizatlon that has been in operation
for some time, it is believed that the
entire city will be greatly benefited.
And there is something for women
and girls to do.
If You have any women or girls or
EanlzaUonS IN your town or city, that
desire TO actually assist in discourage
ing the advances of vice and crime,
then see your seleetmen or mayor and
take the mater up. Always there is
sweeping that ought to be done.
OF course certain element directly,
and that elements friends indirectly,
viii shout and swear and object and
protest that "a flock Of old hens is
stirring up a muss," and that personal
liberty" and local self government"
are being interfered with by Typo
critics. and "ramrodders," but the
louder they holler the harder they are
being pinched in the crack of civic
righteousness.
II you are afraid Of the bitter
tongues and triekery of those who
thrive ON crime and vice. then don't at
tempt anything, because it will be a
failure and the last stage will be worse
than the first. The faint-hearted and
haIf-hcarted and the downright cow