The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-08-30
- Commissioner Outlines
saey Aftsr Trip Of Investi-
Gatioa to New York and
Other Cities
DHAnLET WOMEN WILL
BE DRIVEN FROM CITY
0E11ers for Resorts to Close Will
Re Issued In About Ten
Days

s. Holice Commissioner John Gillespie
~ decided that total elimination OF
4Inbrderly houses Ii the only prac'
h flc0 solution of the organized vice
$Drpblom In Detroit. The commission
" lreturned. Friday morning from
~ days trip to New York, Boston
And several smaller cities in the east,
Whbre be spent most OF his time gath
5orikg data which VIII be OF use TO
&u1q In defining and carrying out his
vleb policy. He says he will have his
\ eepprt ready In 10 days. Meanwhile
1hoi will visit Chicago 10 gather ad-
djtlonal Information regarding his
$Doocy Of elimination.
IN uis report will be in the nature OF
N explanation to the people OF De-
;tru1k @ to Why he has decided to
~ 1liDh organised vice, instead OF un-
\ 41lDoking Segregation or stricter reg
n1n1Ion OF the present vice district
$Wh1cA covers much territory In the
&0Vntown half-mile circle.
Qommissioner Gillespie has held
1so1n the nrst that total elimination
~ ne beet method to rid the city Of
&kAG&e dens Of vice. which breed crime
md immortality. Certain reformers.
G68tng TO cooperate with him In
lGn1ng = policy for the suppression
s&( Me- In the city. have attempted TO
4 Duado him that segregation Is the
~ possible solution. The commits.
~ recently took the matter under
Elaboration and decided to visit
eorn cities where elimination 10
&ong tried.
successes In the East.
New York and Boston have both
H. 4 inated organised vice and the re-
Rh = proving highly satisfactory"
Z ~ tAo commissioner
IL llWlnation II inevitable all over
Ao oountry. II must be systematic
nm4 & Will take time-but not very
The biggest problem IL driving
~ women out OF the city after the
Mn dono have been closed. In De-
Nm Ne are well prepared for the
koG cent Of the inmates OF resorts
~ boon here more than two. years.
61nt - per cent have been In the
ltX - than one year. Less than
w pr cent Of the inmates are De-
Erc& women. II will not be neces-
- hArb0r these women In De
when we eliminate. We will
~ - Swing hack to other cities
~ un6esirable women that belong
saw nothing on my trip to
n1o my mind about the POSSIBLE
'&9 oliminattOn In Detroit. In fact
n(o my trip am more strongly
vincsd than ever that elimination
~ proper thing.
"a ~ not fear that these scarlet
nem viii invade the better resi-
oo districts II they are driven out
~ present disorderly houses. All
oo 4e1s are In residence districts
s ohly We generally fnd them In
~ pooror districts. All residential
et1o1S ought to b treated alike.
~. n the poorer residence dis
M there are more children likely
eocome contaminated through be-
~ wrought In daily contact with
l&e ehAn n the 'sweller' sections.
~ biGyoet kick I get against
nlaatioo 4 that IT can't be done.
oays He'll succeed.
IT Insist that 1t can be done.
IN have enemies. II means q fight,
tAr1 Aght for years to come. pos
ny Some people. Of course. do not
~ ~ tenderloin district disturbed
1 Qehers advocate segregation. but
~ 61fminAtiop. u one disorderly
o1o4 y discovered In Z good rest
loe9 district after we close the
eoNnk vice dsns. these advocates
lu ~ Z told you So
~ making this move am willing
o1Dnme al the responsibility and
oolt ~ stacks. When ! am ready
FN11trt911 the proprietors Of the dis
1ckey houses to get out Of business.
Ht0p obey because we have ev,-
c 70 ssad the keepers to prison
l113 don't