The Washington herald., 1913-03-22
VICE IN CAPITAL
TO Be EXPOSED
Continued from Page One.

In Illinois probers confined their inves-
tiGation mostly to factory girls.
Lieut.. Gov. O'Hare last night told of
the objects of the commissions investi-
cation. and its visit to Washington.
National Conference Planned.
I'VE came here he said, TO urge
President Wilson TO call national con-
ference of the vice investigating COM
missions OF the various States. There
are some fourteen of these organizations
now in operation. and more are being
established every day. In Pennsylvania
today Gov. Tener assured us that he
would ask the Legislature for power to
appoint such a commission in his State.
We have found from our investigations
that the percentage OF girls driven to
life of shame through poverty is large.
I'VE have no intention of casting re-
fections upon the American working
girl. As a class there is no better or
purer girl upon earth. But We have
found that in many cases girls are un-
able to obtain a proper living on the
wages they are paid. and turn from their
responsibility for their comfort" "
Lieut. Gov. O'Hare refused to comment
upon the report the committee would
make.
We have not discussed that phase of
il yet he said, and | may say every
member of this body believes that s. d
week should be the minimum wage Of
working girls: but We have arrived at no
formal decision in the matter. We be-
lieve that every girl who works is en-
titled to sufficient pay to guarantee her
proper lodging, food. and clothing, and
enough over for little amusement, va
cation money, and nest egg in case
of illness. | have received over 1000
letters from all parts of the country COM
menting on our work. Letters have been
received from the Governors and similar
commissions in other States. and I believe
that eventually we will accomplish our
purpose
Mr.. O'Hare said that it had not been
determined when the report would be
made. but that a partial report probably
would be made during the present ses-
sion of the Illinois Legislature.
The commission will return to Chicago
from Washington, having given up its
contemplated trip to New York, owing
to the necessity of returning to Spring.
field by Tuesday because of the Sena-
torial deadlock.
Civic Workers to Testify.
Prominent civic workers also will tes-
tify before the commission today. Among
them are DIR. William c. Woodward. Dis
trict Health Officer; Surgeon General
Stokes. L. S. N; Mrs. William E. An
drews, president of the Federation Of
Women's Clubs: Mrs. Harvey W. Wiley,
president of tine Housekeepers' Alliance !;
Mrs Arthur A. Birney, president of the
Mothers Congress; Mrs. Adolph Kahn
president of the Jewish Women's Al
lance: Mrs. Eugene Stevens, president of
the Florence Crittenton Mission: Rev
Hubert Jones. of Epiphany Episcopal
Church: Rev. DR. Samuel Woodrow. pas
tor of First Congregational Church; Rev.
DR.. Donald c. Macleod, pastor of First
Presbyterian Church: Rev. Dr. Earle
Wiley. pastor of Vermont Avenue Chris
tian Church: Rev. DR.. John Van Schaick
jr.. pastor of Church of Our Father, and a
number of others. The two persons from
whom the commission received no answer
TO its invitation to testify are Mrs. Mich
ola-s Longworth, wife of former Repre-
sentative Longworth of Ohio. and daugh-
ter of Col. Roosevelt. and Mrs. Preston
Gibson. 1t was reported that they are
absent from the city.