The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1913-01-31

world problem.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Interviewed.
In answer TO questions asked him
by a representative of one of the
evening papers, John ID. Rockefeller
Junior, gave out the following inter.
view:
The idea OF establishing a perma-
nent organization to cope with the So
cial evil in this city 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
il 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 disease, the greatest single menace
TO the perpetuation of the human
race. Therefore, as a result Of con.
ference with many people, the Bureau
Under the direction Of the Bureau,
Mr.. George j. Kneeland, who conduct
ed the investigation carried on by the
Chicago Vice Commission, has made
a comprehensive study of vice condi.
tions in this city; 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
further studies in number of the
larger cities of this country. AS each
of these studies is completed, il will
he published, and until this is done
the Bureau deems it unwise and pre-
mature 10 express any conclusions as
to a method of dealing with the social
evil in this city. II is hoped that the
press and the public will be disposed
to await the result of these studies
before formulating conclusions.
In answer to your question as TO
whether the unfortunate woman is a
vicious career, say unhesitatingly
that i'm the vast majority Of cases she
is a victim. Prostitution as now con
Quoted i'm this country and In Europe
is very largely mans business, the
women are merely tools In the hands
of the stronger sex. II is business
run for profit and the profit is large
II is my belief that less than twenty
five per cent. OF the prostitutes in this
country would haven fallen IL they
had had an equally good chance to
lead n pure life, That they have been
dragged into the mire in such large
numbers is due 10 variety of circum
stances, among which are poverty
low wages, improper home conditions
and lack Of training, the desire to
crafty the natural craving for amuse
ment. pretty things, etc; but while
all Of these and many others may he
contributing causes. man is chiefly re
sponsible for their fall.
Thus far the work Of the Bureau
has been financed by its members and
a few interested friends. and this viii
continue TO be the case until larger
and more formal organization is con
sidered advisable. To its future finan
cial policy IL is not now necessary &c
give attention As its needs grow
there are numbers OF men and won
en- In this city who. ! am confident
stand ready 10 join In meeting them
While the Bureau expects TO pub
lish all OF its important studies. IL Is
obvious that its preliminary work car
best be done without publicity.
The Bureau holds itself ready to on
ter any field Of investigation or worl
not ALREADY occupied effectively by
other organizations which seem likely