Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1914-01-27

THREATEN INVASION.
Passage OF Kenyon Bill viii Close
All Houses iE The District of CO.
;umbia-OGic;ais Interviewed.

Alexandria will not tolerate an IN
yasion Of women driven out OF
Washingtons "red-ligh! district by
the passage of the Kenyon bin. This
was the emphatic statement today
OF every official Of Alexandria who is
charged with the preservation Of
peace from Mayor Fisher down, and
brings to an end the widely circulated
story that a number of women would
locate here The story was put in
circulation Yesterday after some
eight Or ten women had visited The
city and talked with real estate
agents relative to renting of houses.
Immediately any attempt is made to
come here they will be arrested and
severely dealt with was the unan!-
NOUS verdict of all in authority.
But there is still another problem
which will have to be solved in the
future and that is the question as to
what will be done to keep the lowest
element OF Washington from visiting
this city provided that the "segre-
gated district" on Lee street is per-
rnitted to be conducted as it now is.
Conditions in that section of the city
have not caused any serious trouble
but ;t is apparent with the closing
of the Washington resorts a much
nio.e serious condition OF affairs Is
Threatened. Travel on the cars be-
tween Washington and Alexandria,
especially at night, will be augment
ed and viii probably be made
very disaereeable,
,rhq Kenyon bill, which wiped out
the segregated district" in Wash
ington, was passed by The House yes
toaday. 1t is now in the hands Of
President Wilson ard will be signed
by him within the next few days.
The provisions are SO drastic that
il wil! amount practically to an auto
matte closing of every questionable
resort in the Capital.
TO remain open for q day OF an
hour after the bill becomes law
would jeopardize not only the liber-
ties Of the property owners and the
Inmates, but make the property it
s.lG liable to confscation. The be-
longings of The resorts, by the term
Of the new law, would be held and
sold to pay the cost of court pro-
ceedings, and the houses would be
closed with prohibition against
tie opening OF them for any purpose
witk;n year.
The debate in the House yesterday
laslud for an nour. and was Spectac-
ular in spots. When the measure
passed the Senate there was no dis
cussion. Many women were in the
House galleries, listening intcntly to
the arguments of the lawmakers.
When the vote was taken ard the re-
sp!t announced several Of the women
appiaudcd,
With The provisions of the bill now
practically on the statute books, all
discussion Of the reform last night
turGca 10 thc women who will be in
fact thrown insc the streets. A re-
cert census demonstrated that there
are upward Of 80 known resorts,
most Of which aro within a stone
vhrow Of the District municipal build
ing ami the others not far from the
Capitol, these having more than $50
inmates.
7ha' management of the National
Florence CritteNlon Home Mission
laa~night issued 4 public offer of the
services Of :ha institution in the work
,ot establishing every woman and girl
who desires assistance in honorable
employment.
IN 4 statement signed by Mrs.
Kate Waller Barrett. president of the
mission. whose home is in Aexan-
dria, it was said that sometimes our
cnea angels come in earb which we
le,.st expect. and, therefore, we may
not be quick TO to'reco%nizc them, buj
st US hope that there are many Of
these girls who viii realize in thi:
legislation en- opportunity rathe,
than misfortune"
While we will he very glad. in