Rock Island Argus., 1914-05-20
Presbyterian Women Are
Called Upon to Eschew
Modern Style.
COMMITTEE IN REPORT
Neither Recognition Nor Regu-
Iation for White Slave Traf-
fic Recommendation.

Chicago. Ill. May 2O.-"No tolera
ton; no regulation; no recognition"
This is the suggested slogan of the
Presbyterian church to be presented
TO the I26th general assembly here to-
morrow in the report of the special
committee on white slave traffic.
The report estimates that there are
100000 prostitutes in the United
States. and that a far greater number
are unchaste. Contributing factors
in this condition are the fashions,
dances. the theatre. literature and ig-
norance. The principal remedy sug-
gested is the enlightened training of
the young
The report was prepared by Paul r.
Hickok. John BaIcom Shaw, John Ken
nedy. Winfield Scott Hall and J. NJ. T
Finneya Excerpts follow:
Your COMMITTEES is directed TO con-
slider the enormous violation of the
Seventh Commandment involved in the
traffic This is not a matter calling
for statistics. with all the mental con-
fusion that must result from long state
ments OF appalling figures. But that
the extent OF the traffic in human
bodies for purposes of lust and greed
IS enormous as described in the as
sembly's resolution, is terribly evident
upon only slight investigation. The
vice commission Of Chicago, Ill, ap-
pointed by the city council in 1910, has
made a most thorough survey of these
conditions IN that one city. In Chi
cago alone. the commission reported
That t-the-s- -Sea-Sli-isE-fE 5000 vsoff-
en- who devote their time wholly to
the business of prostitution The con-
ditions in that city are not believed to
be worse than in most cities of the
country.
No Way to Estimate.
This figure did not include, of course,
the much vaster army of persons lead |
ing impure lives, guilty Of occasional !
immoral relations, being supported /
wholly or in part by their occasional |
earnings, or engaging in occasional i'm {
morality not for profit, but from de-
sire. There is no possible way of esti-
mating this larger number, but the |
word enormous seems scarcely ade-
quate TO describe the conditions known
to be present
II the ratio existing in Chicago may
be taken as anything like an accurate
index to that prevailing throughout
this country. 1t seems entirely safe to
assert that at least 100, 900 persons are
devoting their time wholly TO this un-
thinkable iniquity IN the United
States, and it is most probable that ;
the number is very much larger. Most
students Of the problem would place
frr,n .E I, s<rI, Z
Stimulates Curiosity.
On the much-discussed subject of
education in matters of sex the report
has this TO say:
me methods of greatest wisdom
and largest efficiency are still to be q
discovered. But il is the belief of your
committee that hitherto a large ma {
Jorlty OF those persons responsible for
me education, guidance and nature
Vi youth have followed an unfortunate
course regarding the great sacred
truths OF life. This course has been
'ne OF silence and mysticism as a rule.
ms attitude on the part of parents
mo teachers OF youth has the psyche e
oslcal effect OF stimulating curiosity. :
shh the almost universal result that :
dNANit ul5lOTUcO view pO4Hlo -
nj morbid misconceptions of great .
ruths that rightly understood from =
ne hrst. would engender feelings of :
eVerence for life and respect for all :
le processes. There seems. therefore,
" one rational course for earnest. :
linded Christians to follow. That
purse is 70 answer the natural ques-
ons Of their children freely, frankly.
NY sincerely and sympathetically." =,
speaking Of factors in the increase
the social evil which are now as y
lning alarming proportions" the re- "
DIT says: e.
One Of these appears in the vulgar a
noency Of modern fashion Our II
-Andards, we remember, expressly a
foid all fmmodest apparel Today
any Of our women are going to such Il
uemes Of dress as to shock even the
.st prudish, and open American wom-
mood TO the charge of complete for
lture Of mOdesty. The unfortunate
ie OF II all is, that the women of the
urch, whose most conspicuous adorn-
snt is supposed TO be meekness, are
lie as guilty of this offense as are te
men who make no religious profess Ie
ms Until our Christian women can a
made 10 see what mischief is being pc
ne by such a reckless abandon 10 be
foibles OF fashion, there can be lit
hope OF stemming this evil tide. We
j the women of our Presbyterian sc