Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-06
RADICAL SUGGESTIONS
FOR VICE ERADICATION.
Wisconsin Legislative Committee
Completes Fifteen Months Study
81 of Social Conditions In State.
ITS REPORT is, EXHAUSTIVE
Finds That Wage Question Has Little
to DO With Problem-Re Recommends
Establishment of Court of, Morals
and Wide Municipal Supervision.
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M APLsoS, !. Isl en-, ber. 49,
1 Fifteen months study and investlga-
tion of tho Vice problem in Wisconsin
by thc'SleGislative antivice. committee
| resultedgin radical proposals for law
enforcement and better social condi-
lions. summarized In an exhaustive re-
| port which was fled with the Secre-
tary OF state to-day.
The greatest cause OF ,commercializcd
vice. the report says, is,the use. Of in
toxicatfng liquor. Contributory causes
are public dance halls, rondhouses,
poorly lighted pa rks and public places.
lack OF. responsibility by parents, nom
enforcement of laws by public onlcials,
| lack OF public amusement and recrea;
ton ;facillties, and au automobiles The
committee found that the wage qucs-
ton had no material relation (. to a
girls downfall. -.
COMMITTEE RECOsiMENDs
-! -: ess;5,. COURT. OF MORALS
The committee recommends among
other things:-
That a. morals court be established
in Cities of; the first class, with ex-
elusive Jurisdiction over all cases in
yolving moral offenses. '7lt:s' &.
tHdt INV SlHllldT 10 the gA1ann ACT,
applicable between cities, villages and
! towns of the State be enacted.
That a permanent State police de-
partment be established In this State,
with power to investigate. immoral
practices. and that local communities
organize private associations to as
, sist officers In the enforcement of laws,
That the sale OF liduor be prohibited
within or in connection with dance
halls. Hf,9t9li aysF .t& ass
That a liquor license may be auto
imatically revoked upon a plea OF
guilty or conviction.-gt I'D F,.g.
That all hotels. roominS and lodging
houses be required TO secure licensees;
that. they keep permanent registers Of
the names of all guests, with penal
ties for using fictitious names.
That the publicity. of ownership be
owners Hont the front Of all hotels and
iroomiag- houses. et. 80
L That tho age of consent be raised
from fourteen years in the case of any
female and eighteen years.in the case
I OF n female ofya previous chaste char
| actcr, to eighteen and twenty-one
years, respectively.
That IN Industrial home for women
be esta olished. to be equipped with hos
pital facilities Tor; treatment OF dis
eases. women convicted of immoral
| practices to be committed thereto for
Treatment and training.
That in cities of tho first three
Classes special classes for subrormal
children be established sin the public
| schools and that; where necessary. the
! State furnish free textbooks, meals and
clothing to make compulsory education
| effective. y
LET MUNICIPALITIES
SUPERVISE ADJUSTMENTS
That social neishborhood centres be
developed in connection with the school
system.
That municipalities provide super.
| Vised amusements, particularly con
certs, moving-p picture shows, etc
That employers of domestic servants
be required to furnish them with a
suitable room in which to receive com
pany.
That the number<of hours OF labor
for, domestic servants be iXed BY law.
That the. rights of the laboring class
be protected. go. ~
Adequate insura nee against poverty.
| The mans part In the social evil"
says tile committee, SIS despicable and
mean enough to merit'the 9harshesti
| terms of reproach. anu disgust. The
| eXploitert of tho body and soul Of won.
an for. money gainiis worthysto he the
lowest .outcast sin society. rather than
| the weaker, ignorant or unfortunate
| person exploited. The penalties for
, such expectations, mnat be made most
! severe, and must. come with absolute
certainty . upon I. conviction u s9S
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