Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-07
IS FOR kenyon BILL
Senate Subcommittee Decides
to FavorabIy Report It.
WILL COME UP FRIDAY
Whole District Committee to Get
Measure on That Day.
PREACHERS IN DISAGREEMENT
Rabbi Simon, DR.. Radcliffe, DR.. Mac
derly Resorts of the Capital.


wipe out the red light districts Of the
National Capital by injunction was given
today by subcommittee of the Senate
District committee which has been con-
Quoting hearings to learn underworld
conditions in Washington. The subcom-
mittee's favorable attitude will be re-
meeting to be held Friday.
The bill provides the bringing of suits
in the courts for the closing of houses in
red light districts on the ground that
10 do so would be the abatement of a
nuisance. IT is based on a law on the
statute books of Iowa. under which the
cities of Iowa have been cleaned up so
TAR as such districts are concerned.
Preachers Fall Out.
Preachers fell out over the question of
what to do with the red light districts.
IN the course of today's hearing before
the subcommittee. Rabbi Abram Simon of
The Washington Hebrew Congregation
intended that the country was gcner-
~ going back to the puritanical idea
.,et the sowing of wild oats by Young
- not necessary. and. in pursuance of
idea, red light districts should be
ont. Rev DR. Wallace Radcliffe,
SO" of thte New York Avenue Presby
al Church. champoned the police
for red light" districts with re-
.r.cticns much more drastic than are
EoH enforced in Washington.
Lack of Segregation.
y lack OF segregation of the people of
the underworld in the capital was the
basis OF complaint made to the commit
tee by Rev. Donald c. Macleod, pastor of
the First Presbyterian Church. He was
I'"esenting some of the results of the re-
cent aldermanic investigation of under
- orld' conditions in New York city.
II have been told by a prominent and
reliable real estate man of this city with
IN the past few days. DIR. McIeod told
The committee, that disorderly resorts
are to be found in some of the fashion
able sections and some of the fashionable
apartment houses of the city
Have YOU personal knowledge of such
Places? Senator Pomerene asked.
Knows of Police Raids.
In section of the city with which
am best acquainted replied Dr. Mac
1-eod, II know the police have made a
number of raids to wipe out such places
Mrs. Margaret Dye Ellis. chairman of
the legislative committee of the W. c. r.
l., declared that she represented the good
women of this country i'm her plea for tho
passage of the Kenyon bill to wipe out
the red light" districts of the National
Capital.
I'm the name of motherhood, OF good
women and of God. We ask for this leg
islation. she said i'm her plea
Complaints against the police were
voiced by Fl. w. Kline Superintendent
of the Gospel Mission
our mission is situated near what is
nult lts.I
said to the committee. I'VE have seen
women OF the underworld in large
numbers on the streets near the mis-
sion. and we have seen policemen talk
ing with them. Crowds of men are al
lowed TO congregate on the streets
without police interference.
1t has become SO bad that the wom-
en- OF our mission could not pass along
the street without being insulted."
w >. Duffield, colored. representing
the Southwest Civic Association told
the committee that a red light" dis
trict. consisting of row OF houses. had
recently been established within
short distance of three schools in the
southwest section. The committee
manifested much interest in learning
the names of the owners and agents of
the property.
Gives Up Past Beliefs.
Rabbi Simon who was invited by
NHt CoIilillttee 10 De Il Witness. declared
that he was prepared to give up past
beliefs in red light districts as a
necessary evil.
The first note heard during the day
in opposition to the bill to wipe out
the red light" districts was sounded
by Rev. DIR. Radcliffe.
Il think all here are one in accepting
the proposition that we are dealing
with an evil and a SIM he said. But
the question is what to do. in its pres
ent existence. to reduce the evil to its
minimum of evil results.
Il am one of those who believe in
segregation I'm "red light districts but
under better police regulation than
there is today in the District. I would
see that the boundaries of the districts
are strictly protected. j would record
the names. not only of those who live
in such districts, but the names of
those who visit It, l would give the
police authority to challenge any one
who goes there"
DO you believe the red light dis
tricts are right or wrong" Senator
Kenyon asked DIR. Radcliffe.
Il don't think that question ought to
be asked now" he replied.