The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-11-04
Want Complete Under
standing of Problem
Before AttackingIt.
FREEMAN SHOWS
WHAT CITY NEEDS
Students of Sociology Discuss
Situation With View of Find
ing Remedy for Local Appli-
cation-Father Hannigan
Speaks for Colored
People.

Approaching it with broad and
contributing causes, a dozen students
of sociology discussed yesterday after
noon the social needs of Richmond,
stressinG with especial emphasis the
Importance OF n close study OF the
elemental evil OF all ages before at
tempting its complete eradication. The
meeting held in the hail of the House
of Delegates, under the auspices of
the Social Federation of Richmond.
composed of about 5000 people. was
presided over by Governor Mann, who
took part in some OF the discussion and
exhibited an acute sympathy with the
work of tho federation.
DR.. Douglas s. Freeman was the
chief speaker OF the afternoon. He
was followed BY distinguished repre-
sentativcs OF the pulpit who had ia
inilarized themselves with the press
ing needs OF the day In the way OF
reform. and by 2: physician, who sup
piled the conference with scientific
data on the ravages wrought by the
specific evil against which all socio-
logical work is cooperating.
To Cut or Source of supply.
The chief suggestions against the
evil We're 10 cut off its source Of sup
OF the poor. supply working girls with
home like boarding houses within
reach OF their weekly incomes, enact
ment of 4 stricter nonsupport law and
its enforcement providing poor chill
dron with proper home Surroundings.
recognition Of the rights of every child
born in civilization and the elimina
tion oc the double standard OF morals.
The discussions were free and to
fhn f,i,,t nd tho M "a cha n
n disposition to get away from false
standards OF modesty and to pave the
way tcr complete understanding of
the social problem before beginning
the work Of er2dicating restricted dis
tr:cIs.
DR.. Freeman said that the known
specific needs are q colored charity
organization proper care OF the inebrl
ates. extension Of Juvenile court sys-
tenn, an industria! school. cheap board
ing houses for respectable girls and an
efficient nonsupport law.
Need Trained Social Workers.
The fundamental need, he said. was
moro and better trained social work
ers. cooperating together in the thor
ough and scientific study OF social
questions. and solving these questions
In a spirit of justice and farseeinG hui
manity. Many OF the workers. ne said,
been made through Ignorance He
thought that a school OF philanthropy
should be established. and said that II
was not beyond attainment. There
should be moro scientific study OF
the citr's needs. especially III regard
to nonsupport cases, colored charity
work and the jail population.
Referring TO the elemental evil. DR..
Freeman said that he had heard there
was on foot movement TO bring about
Immediate legislation for the eradica-
ton OF tho restricted district. Il beg
of you" he said. not TO try TO solve
this question until you have studied II
completely" and pointed out how
many mistakes have been made
through Ignorance. He said that the
solution Of the problem hinged largely
upon stud. OF the mental condition
OF the unfortunates. with a co-ordi-
mating study of their physical and
spiritual condition And what OF the
men they consort With 2" he asked. I'VE
have part OF the problem there, too :
Problem Tor the Police.
The question. Or. Freeman said, was
largely problem of the police. and
that some method for the eradication
of the evil should be taken SO rs not
to make OF the police force n body of
grafters.
Tho efforts OF one city should co
operate with all others. so that the
burden which one city might rid Itself
of should not be cast into the midst
Of another. And We must not begin
a crusade" he said, without compre-
hensive and humane plans for the care
OF these unfortunatcs after we have
begun our work OF elimination. If we
cast them loose we will have their
blood on our hands,"
In hO
off the source of supply, and that the
home life be moro guarded and more
attention be paid to young girls, so
that they would not succumb to the
temptation OF the street.
The Rev. J. w. Dixon, OF the Meth
odist Institute, advocated proper home
training and improved housing condi-
tiona ms n preventive. and the estab-
iishment of an institution which should
take the place of home for those who
had no home OF their own.
The Rev. Ernest Earle Osgood said
that the work should be pushed, for
the people face constantly the danger
Of self dissatisfaction and boing self
centred.
Plea for CoIored People.
The Rev. Father Hannigan addressed
himself eloquently and with touching
to the needs OF the col
ored people. Their greatest need" lie
Salo, 'lS JUSTICE ana opportunity. Ihey
chould have Justice before the bar of
tho people. They need better housing
We speak of them as beirg
filthy. OF course. they nre. some of
them, when they have to grow up in 1
such surroundings an the majority of
them have. We would he filthy. too,
under like conditions" He said that
O large portion OF tho fceble-minded-
ness among the negroes was due to
lack of sanitation, which the citv
should provide. and then gave figures
10 show that tho city pays less care to
tho housing and sanitation conditions