Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-22
BY 3. LEE SMITH.

Since the closing Of the houses in
our midst the morals Of Atlanta have
improved 10 such an extent that d
precIudes the possibility Of their ever
opening again" says John J. Engan.
chairman OF the Men and Religion
Forward Movement
This movement is national In Its
scope" says Mr.. Eagan, "and in a
few years the city which tolerates
protected vice will be looked upon
with horror and contempt"
Atlanta was not the first city to
take this action Toronto Canada,
setting the pace through young po-
lice official who dared to do his duty.
and to- day Toronto is looked upon as
a model city.
young man. unaided by human
organization or cooperation, deter
mined that as an officer Of the law
the violation Of the law as TO pro-
tected vice and prostitution should be
stopped. and through the agitation
started by him the law was enforced,
and those who visit Toronto to-day
see metropolitan city Of 100000
population with not a single tolerated
house Of prostitution.
Cities Take Up Fight.
Many cities in the United States
have taken up the fight started in
Atlanta. and. patterned after the
movement in this city. have either
enforced the law at once or have
given notice that at future time the
practice must be stopped, and have
provided means for the carrying out
Of the law.
Little Rock has given a cleanup
notice to the occupants and owners
OF the houses. but gave ample time
three months-for the occupants 10
reform or leave the city, and the
owners time to rearrange their prop
srty holdings to meet the changed
conditions
The vice commission, organized In
Little Rock to make a complete and
thorough investigation. did so. and
the conditions prevailing there were
such as to caure action at once and
conclusive 20 rid the City of Roses Of
this crime. Mayor Taylor against
the advice Of many Of his political
friends. dared to do his duty, and
signed the order closing the houses,
and recommended legislation that
would prevent their reopening in that
city.
When the report of the vice com
mission, together with a message
from the Mayor, was published, the
good people Of Little Rock were
shocked beyond measure. They got
squarely behind the movement and
the result is that all ordinances nee
essary We're passed by the City Coun-
ell and the city viii be cleaned up
thoroughly.
AS 20 the final result in Atlanta,
there is to-day no doubt in the minds
of those who stand for decenCy and
morality that protected vice is a
thing Of the past
Conditions to Improve.
Conditions are not nearly so good
as they win be in the future, but are
much improved. Those women who
desired to change to a better life
were and are being given every en-.
couragement and assistance Some
200 have been furnished homes
many Of the younger girls being re-
turned to their parents. The re-
mainder were either given homes
with Christian families or at the
Florence Critteuton or Marthas
Home.
Those who have become so hard
ened that reformation is impossible
are being eliminated by degrees, and
with the conscientious work OF the
police department. under Chief of Po-
Hce Beavers and the splendid back
ing given by Recorder Nash r. Broyles
they viii sooner or later learn that
there is no place for them in At
lanta and they will seek homes else
where Where one Of these women is
forced to leave the city many young
girls are stopped on the road to ruin.
and in the course Of time Atlanta viii
be free Cor as nearly 80 as a strict
enforcement OF the law can make IT'D
OF this vice.
The noise Of the opposition TO the
enforcement Of the law the cry Of
persecution, and the wall that the
evil can not be eradiCated. comes
from those who have lost S70O. GOO Il
year by the enforcement OF the law
This cry is heard when the officers
raid a place that is supposed to have
beeen decent: shame Innocent per-
sons were found there and were
forced to 60 before the Recorder 70
prove their innocence. Where is CHIEF
Beavers going TO Stop
on the other hand, can be heard
'"These women are scattered all over
the city, and the police do not make
them move on. No home is free from
eontaminatiO with these women
Few There Second Time.
These women are not molested by
the police force unless reported or
are caught violating the law. Al
most every day since the closing OF
the Manhattan Avenue district one or
more Of these women have been be
fore Judge Broyles, but very few
have been there the second time They
wall eveP-ually understand that there