The Washington herald., 1914-01-31
CHURCHES Plan
TO AID women
Prayers for RED Light" Resi-
dents Will Be Offered
Up Tomorrow.
MONEY WILL BE RAISED
Police Will Protect Those Who Re-
form from Being Molested.
Forty Request Help.
MONEY WILL BE RAISED

Hundreds of voices will be raised in
prayer in all of Washington's churches
tomorrow for the women of the red
light" district who are affected by the
Kenyon bill. Generous Christians will be
asked to contribute to fund OF Ssa,oo
to provide employment for those who
really desire to reform.
Tomorrow will be the biggest day Of
the campaign in behalf OF the women.
Fifty thousands cards asking contribu-
tions have been printed. Ten thousands
of this number already have been dis
trfbuted in moving picture theaters. Forty
Thousand will be scattered throughout
Washington's churches tomorrow.
Maj. Richard Sylvester has offered
helping hand. He has assured Mrs.
Bertha b. Byrne and Mrs. Fred T. Du
Bois. Of the Big Brother and Sister
Movement, that he will arrest and pros
ecute any person or persons prosecuting
tn. reformed women after they get
homes This alone offers a protection to
the women. and an incentive TO many
others to lead different lives.
Finger. Pointed at Them.
I'VE want to do better. but simply be-
cause We have made a mistake men and
women on the outside point their finger
at u.s." said a woman OF the red light"
district last night
One stumbling block rescue workers
find il the belief among the women Of
the district that the public does not
care to help them, but, instead, kicks
them further in the mire OF degradation.
Persons who attempt to embarrass the
women who reform by telling persons
where they live or otherwise making life
unpleasant for them will be dealt with
by the police.
meeting of renresentatiye orrapiza-
tons engaged in civic and charitable
work was held in the Young women's
Christian Association building yesterday
afternoon. to discuss conditions arising
out of the passage Of the Kenyon bill.
Mrs. John y. Culbertson was appointed
chairman. A committee was appointed.
of which the Rev. Wilbur v. Mallalieu
was made chairman, to wait on the Dis
trict Commissioners to request them to
APPOINT a representative committee Of citi
zens to study carefully the conditions to
ascertain accurately how much assistance
may be needed TO enable such girls as
are willing to be helped to re-estabiish
themselves as normal members OF So
ciety, and to take such immediate action
as, in its judgment. may be necessary,
including the collection OF funds, such
committee to report its work in detail
TO the Commissioners.
The following organizations had repre-
sentatives at the meeting: The Women's
Interdenominational Union. Social Better
ment League, Gospel Mission. Congress
of Mothers, National w. c. T. UA the
Central Union Mission, District W. c. T.
T.. the Chevy Chase Circle OF the Flor
ence Crittenton Mission. the local Flor
ence Crittenton Mission, the Board OF
Charities, Council of Jewish Women.
Young women's Christian Association.
Associated Charities. International Re
form Bureau. and the National Florence
Crittenton Mission.
Cooperation Is CrEed.
Throughout cooperation in the work Of
providing employment and homes for the
women who care to reform is urged by
Stanley w. Finch, head OF the move
ment- All clergymen who feel disposed
to have pledge cards passed through their
congregations are urged to communicate
with Mr.. Finch over telephone, Main
6I75."
More than forty women of the 80 in
mates of the red light" district have
asked for assistance. 1t is expected at
least sixty more will apply.
Some of the women have pleaded for
money to get to their homes in other
cities. Some do not expect to go home
especially in view OF the great amount
of publicity the Kenyon bill has been
given in newspapers all over the coun
try.
One woman has obtained employment
at a salary of $40 a week as book
keeper. Il can live of this, but I am
afraid the other poor girls. less fortu-
nate than ], will have a nard struggle
If they expect to reform on 81 a week.
she said.
More than fifty Of the women moved
from their old haunts yesterday. the ma
jority scattering to other parts of the
city.