Imperial Valley press., 1913-05-03

licewoman Diehl stepped In and after
questioning the two flashed her badge
and said TO the young man. "Come with
me-" The offender was let 60 when
the street was reached, on promise not
to flirt any more.
Philadelphia has two such policewo-
men. They have been on the force
about four weeks. They are Mrs. Diehl
and Miss l.. M. Gillespie. Both are de-
tailed at railroad stations but they have
full authority to act as guardians OF
the peace In all sections of the city
alike. They are provided with re-
volver, blackjack, nippers and badge,
all identical with those OF the other
members o fthe Philadelphia police
force. They work "split shifts" on
their beats and are supposed to be ION
reserve" at their homes during the
night. In the early evening, if not ac-
tually on duty, they are ION reserve"
IN the police station where already
they have the men "all with them
strong," as their fellow members put
Il. The "back room" Of their respec-
tive stations present unique picture
when they are ION reserve" and sit
playing cribbage or pitch with their
brother officers. At first the atmos
phere was little tense when they
were in the "back room," but now
.'everything's fine" say the policemen,
who admit sheepishly tnat the whole
air of the police stations has changed
for the better.
Director Of Public Safety Porter had
been urged for some time by reform
70 ho oVA c,rP
frage leaders to commission women for
police duties in railroad stations, pub
lie dance halls and moving picture the
aters, not only to merely preserve or
der but to protect girls from the per-
nicious activities Of white slavers and
solicitation by we'll dressed women.
Both women are well fitted for the
work by long apprenticeship as agents
for the Travellers Protective Associa-
ton and 1t Is believed that their ap
pointment is the first step toward or,
sanitation Of separate force Of po-
l;cewomen for Philadelphia. For some
time special women police officers have
heen on duty in department stores OF
this city with semi-police jurisdic-
ton over the employees Of the estab-
lishments, but this is the first time
women have been given such wide
scope of authority in staid old Quaker
Town.
The Reading Terminal and Broad
street station. where the important
work Of the "lady coppers" centers,
have long been nightly rendezvous for
young girls and mashers. and frequent
~ women of the street can be seen in
that section Of the city. Women prom
inent in correction and charity work
have called the attention Of the author
tiles to the danger Of the situation and
It was largely through their efforts that
the policewomen were appointed. After
their short term Of service this section
today is freer than any other similar
place in Philadelphia from mashers
and objectionable characters, and the
authorities are considering Transferring
the two policewomen to other sections
of the city. OF course, however, the
big work of policewomen is the pro-
tecting of young girls and women who
come to the city alone. These are di-
rected to respectable places to live or
TO relatives or friends, as the case may
be. The women have proven also that
they do more good than a uniformed
policeman in detecting attempts at
pocket picking and hand bag snatchins.
All in all both city officials and rail-
road officials are highly pleased with
what three weeks ago was considered
merely an experiment and doubtful
innovation, and they are said to be
In favor Of a larger force
Of policewomen for Philadelphia.