Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-22
Vice in Washington.

& conference begins today III TINS city
for the discussion of the subject OF vice
in Washington. II is to be conducted in
cooperation with commission appointed
by the Illinois legislature that has been
conducting All investigation for some time
past and Will probably proceed along
similar lines. The matter is of the most
vital Importance, only recently, how eyer,
regarded as suitable for open consideTa-
ton and inquiry. Without the specific
motives for the investigation that exist
elsewhere, with no sensational happen
ings to draw public attention TO the sub
Iect, it is nevertheless recognized that
vice exists here, as 1t exists elsewhere. as
IT has come to be regarded. indeed as a
necessary evil and so tolerated or,
when regulation is undertaken, tempo
rized with and feehy placed under inef-
fective restraint
The Illinois investigation has disclosed
certain conditions which appear TO con-
tribute TO the vicious practices and In
situations, ignorance OH the part of young
people regarding vitality important fac
tors in life, poverty, inadequate parental
restraint, failure of discipline. lack of
wholesome diversions for youth and in
sufficient earnings in the eases of young
girls forced to go to work to support
themselves or to help in the family main
tenance.
Washington has no such large working
population as Chicago, regarding which
the Illinois investigation has been chiefly
concerned. But it has, nevertheless, a
sufficiently large number of young men
and women who are leading practically
-n6cnpndnnt live
problem of moral education and restraint
1T Is idle to deny the existence here of I'M
wholesome conditions. The streets them
selves proclaim them loudly, especially at
night. The heart of any observer who
sees the signs clearly is saddened by the
scenes enacted on the brightly lighted
thoroughfares after dinner. Scores of
girls parade for the display of themselves
before young men who gather on corners
to observe, comment and ultimately to
select. This is essentially difficult mat
ter for discussion. but evasion makes it
only more difficult and increases the PEN
atty which the community finally pays in
terms Of Generalization, divorce, disease
and death.
The Washington conference will fur
nish a starting point for a plain under
standing of the local conditions. II evil
institutions thrive here because the young
people are ignorant of their own natures
and responsibilities and dangers they
must be set forth in clear terms and a
remedy must be sought. This is not a ques-
tion of who Is to blame, save so far as by
finding out this fact remedy can be
sought. Results will not flow quickly. The
reformation which Is hoped for is not a
matter of few months or even d few
years. for the cause Is dee seated and q
long process of education mustfse under
taken to lay the foundations for ccrrec-
ton. The problem is to find the wises-
course OF procedure, to seek the most ef-
fective means of regulation and to cut off
one by one the vicious factors that con-
tribute TO Decentralization. The newly en-
acted excise law affords an opportunity
for an advance toward correction of the
greater evil. \ frank facing of the FACTS
will bring forth some shocking truths
which must be made generally known be-
fore the major problem can be attacked.
Ii the conference proceeds carefully and
with the difficulties held clearly in mind,
and with full intention to spare no SEN
sibilities, while avoiding aensatienalism,
it Will have made a good beginning, from
which lasting results may now, for the
moral regeneration of Washington.