Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1913-01-31

Social Conditions Takes Advanced
Grounds For His Position-5elieves
Man Is Chiefly Responsible For
Woman's Fall.
NEW YORK, Jan. 27--In answer
to questions asked him regarding the
organization, work and plans of the
Bureau of Social Hygiene, John ID,
Rockefeller, Jr.. founder of the bur
eau gave out the following interview
toady:
"The idea of establishing a perma-
1ent organization to cope with the
social evil in New York 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
at that time to realize the extent and
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 dis
ease, the greatest single menace to
/ the perpetuation of the human race.
Therefore, as result of conference
with many people, the Bureau of So
cial Hygiene was established.
/ Under direction of the bureau Mr..
George ]. Kneeland, who conducted
/ the investigation carried on by the
4 Chicago vice commission, has made a
/ comprehensive study of vice condi
/ tons in New York; and Mr.. Abraham
/ Flexner has spent nearly year
abroad, investigating the methods Of
dealing with this problem in the lead
/ ing cities of Europe, He will make
4 further studies in 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-
mature to express any conclusions as
/ tc a method of dealing with the social
evils. Ii is hoped that the press ard
the public will nc disposed 20 await
the result of these studies before for
mulating conclusions.
in answer to questions as to
whether the unfortunate woman is
4 victim or a contributor to her own
vicious career. say unhesitatingly
/ that in the vast majority of cases she
Is a victim Prostitution as now
conducted in this country and in Eu-
rope is very largely mans business;
the women are merely tools in the
hands of the stronger sex 1t is
business run for profit and the profit
Is large 1t is my belief that less
than twenty-five per cent. OF the pres
titutes in this country would have fall
en- if they had had an equally good
chance to lead pure life That they
have been dragged into the miro in
such large numbers is due TO va
riety OF circumstances, among which
are poverty, low wages, improper
home conditions and lack of training,
the desire to crafty the natural cray
ing for amusement, pretty things. etc.
but while all OF these and many others
may be contributing causes, man is
chiefly responsible for their fall.
Thus far the work of the bureau
has been financed by its members and
few Interested friends. and this will
continue to be the case until larg-
err and more formal organization is
considered advisable.
I 90 it's future financial policy it is
not now necessary to give attention,
As its needs grow, there are numbers
Of men and women who, I am conf
dent, stand ready to join in meeting
them
while the bureau expects to pub
dsh all of its important studies, it is
Obvious that it's preliminary work can
best be done without publicity.
THE bureau holds itself ready to
enter any field Of investigation or
work not already occupied effectively
by other organizations which seem
likely TO contribute TO the main pur-
pose for which it has been establish
ed"
HOT POKER IN SISTERS EYE