The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-08-30
PIE DECIDES ON
SOLUTE ELIMINATION OF
ALL DETROIT VICE DENS

"So-called wildcat houses will
keep us busy for time. but these
places will not flourish long. and we
will take steps TO close them up AZ
fast a. We locate them. N'N
"On argument for segregation that
| heard from criminologist in New
York, was this: In a segregated dis
trict you can gather all the crooks
and know where to locate them at
any time My answer to that is a.
you don't have the district for the
criminal 10 seek refuge in, you won't
be bothered with crooks that would
otherwise be drifting into town.
Ten Days for Suggestions.
The commissioner declared tnat
any person, committee or society hay.
ing data or suggestions TO make on
the vice problem will have TO turn In
report within the next 10 DAYS
The commission has not yet received
the preliminary report which was
prepared by the Board OF Commerce
vice commission. The report was
read before the board OF directors sew
eral days ago. and the missioner
was given 10 understand that Il
would be turned over 10 him. He viii
not ask the board for the Eepert.-si-
though he said, Friday, that he was
willing TO give the commissions re-
port the same consideration that he
would give any other kind of report
on vice conditions. Before Mr.. GILES
pie went east. Dr. w. A. Wilson.
chairman OF the Board OF Commerce
commission. spent several days in
conference with the commissioner.
The doctor favors segregation, IN.
stead OF eliminati ton, fearing that the
Inmates OF the disorderly houses win
be spread over the city. Invading the
better residential sections.
Commissioner Gillespie plans to
deal with the women OF the streets
in such manner that big majority
OF them will ind II convenient to
leave the city within the next few
weeks
In Boston," said the commission.
er. out OF SO women arrested on Tn ,
streets, "a were convicted. The courts
were with the authorities, and SO
were the people. II meant 500 fines
A0t tAS PaOPAtOtOAS VI Tug udLA A00eu
raided. and also proceedings against
tho owners OF the property. FIats
took the places Of disorderly houses
after the latter were closed. The
method was to have. nen ronmetS
first, so as to avoid suspicion Grad.
ually girls supplanted the men roum:
ers. The police were soon notified or
conditions by neighbors and the po-
lice closed the places. -
No Chance to Fight Back. &
In Boston the police had to pfo-
coed against the disorderly houses TO
close them. The first year ia eonr
yietions against keepers Of disordfriy
houses were secured DisOrdkriy
honses in Detroit are now tolerated
by the police department. but ase soon
as | decide to close them. they will
have no chance to fight back.
I'm Neg York the police do not
recognize commercialized vice at ali,
although women Of the streets are
numerous. will 60 to Chicago, next
week. TO study conditions there. |
understand organized vice was elimi-
mated there, and that later the disof-
derly houses were allowed to open
again. want to find out II this is
true. and what the reasons were"
After Commissioner Gillespie makes
public the details Of his plans for the
elimination of commercialized vice IN
Detroit, he will give the keepers OF
the disorderly houses a short time IN
which to heed the warning to close
their places He will also give local
societies and commissions that have
been studying the vice situation an
opportunity TO put into effect any
plans they might have for taking care
Of inmates Or attempting reformation.
Il will give the resort keepers what
I deem a reasonable length of time
to close up before the police depart
ment takes active steps to put their
places our of business" said the CON-
missioner. The time limit will be
short, but just how short 1t will be
I have not yet decided. This is one
OF the little problems that will have
to decide within the next ten days"