New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-14
VICE NOT DUE TO LOW
WAGES, PULP|TS AGREE
No Direct Connection, Though
Undoubtedly a Ccntrlbutory
Cause. Says DR.. Elliott.
NEVER A SUDDEN DECISION
Rather a Battle in Which the
Wearied Soldier Loses
Rabbi Calls Dress Be-
setting Sin of Sex.
rBy Telegraph to The Tribune.

PHILADELPHIA. April lS-"The connection
between low wages and low morals is
slight II is outrageous the way news
papers have been printing statements to
the contrary. There is no direct connec-
ton. and those who receive low wages
know how wrong these statements arc"
Such was the burden of an address de-
livored before the Society for Ethical
Culture in the Broad Street Theatre here
to-day by DR.. John Lovejoy Elliott head
of the Hudson Guild. in New York. He
admitted however. that low wages were
undoubtedly a contributory cause Of the
social evil
The real trouble is the conditions that
surround a sirl." he said. III size has
q drunken father sick mother. and is
the principal support OF her family, the
struggle sometimes proves too much for
her, and she gives way when finally i'm so
distraught condition that nothing mat
tiers. Reports of investigators show that.
Generally the girl says she entered a life
Of shame because she was tired 'sho
didn't care nothing mattered anyway,
and so on.
The minimum wage is simply one
plank in a platform which We must put
under the feet Of these girls With them
il is not a sudden decision to take the
easier way. 1t is n battle, ana the girl
hangs on as long as possible to that
which she considers the most precious
Rabbi Joseph Krauskopf. at Keneseth
Israel Temple. to-day also ridiculcd the
theory that wages governed woman S
morality Tho corruptors OF women :
morality were the men VINO failed to re-
gard the virtues OF other women rs they
did those Of their own wives he said.
Many q womans fam he continued.
has had its start in the ballroom or din
in- room. where ladies. generally re-
esrdcd As decent. go conduct themselves
that they soon fan prey 10 the devices
OF designing men. But men aie equally
responsible for tho immortality that eX-
lists to-day Statistics show that the
guilt o. dishonoring women IN our largest
centres of civilization rests uron 50 per
cent OF the unmarried men and % per cent
on the married men.
Referring Ia the women OF social promi-
ncnce. Dr. Krauskopf said
III these leaders would only stop To-
think of how the customs and manners
which they SGT are copied by the persons
q the lower classes who are unrestrained'
they would soon realize that their indul-
gcncc is the cause ~ intoNication amonr
the other classes
Dress Is the hcsctting sin ~ tho So
II occupies more thought commands and
demands more time and means than am
other interest I'm Il Woman's If. II runs
the whole camut Of womankind from
the nursery 10 the granny IN the easy
chair. You hear II discussed in the street
school or church IN parlor. shop on mcci-
ing aboard a train or ship The vain
aud weak. II poor. arc under such power
ful temptation to crafty their desire 20
dress as others do that they are tempted
TO dress nj any cost. by fair means u
possible. and lbs foul means II no other
course be open 10 them"
Early marriage and single standard
Of morals would soon regulate the quos-
ton of vice. In The estimation Of Or
krauskopf.