The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-23
CITIES GET JUST
WHAT.THEY WANT
DIR. Maclacrlan Believes Law
Abiding Sentiment Here Would
Enforce Prohibition.
CAMPAIGN OF EDUCATION
Approves Mayors Plan of Vice
Commission and Warns
Against Reaction.

Firm in his belief that the people of
Richmond are law-abidlng, Rev. H. d.
{. Maclachlan, II. d.. pastor of Sew
cnth Street Christian Church, stated
last night, during tho course Of his
sermon that. in his opinion. the law
viii be enforced in Richmond if State
wide prohibition is voted upon favor
ably by the people
Richmond" ne said will not be
shamed like Atlanta. Ga. or Portland
Me. There Is. however. only ono way
In which TO make sure that the law is
enforced. and that is n safe and sane
public opinion. which demands that the
law nc enforced" And to prove his
point DIR. Maclachlan said that there
Is no sunday baseball here. no wine
shops for women. and SO few gambling;
ucna. because tho people won't stand
for it,"
Much" he said, depends on the citi-
zens. II j may Mse the phrase, they
| viii get about what Is coming TO them
why Is IL that in so many cities of the
South the prohibition laws are vio-
lated? 1t is because the people want
the law not 10 be enforced and allow
the officers to wink ~ the violations'
Fnvors City Planning Communication.
In the beginning OF his sermon DR.
Maclachlan addressed 10 himself the
question. How shall we guide ana CON
troll the destiny of Richmond and make
, 1t Il city which has y Foundations the
architect and builder Of which Is Cod"
lie recalled that up to very recent times
All cities were painless in their growth
ana civic development: that they grew
up. so to speak, and evolved in "A hap
hazard sort Of fashion. much as the
child OF the street. But he said that
cities are coming To realize that II is
not the best policy for one administra-
ton To tear down what the previous
administration had built up, but rather
IT IS the duty of the city TO lay down
some permanent and we'll considered
plan for civic development
II believe" he .SalH that Il Is i'm
portInt that n commission be appoint
ed TO plan for civic development. The
need of 1t has been shown In the pro-
posed driveway from CANDLES Hill
Park to William Byrd Park. and the
extension OF Chamberlayne Avenue to
Broad Street Both OF these driveways
would enhance the beauty OF the city.
but the prices have become eXorbitaut
and the plans may fail because no
planning WAS done In the past.
1T may be said that these material
things have nothing TO do with moral
welfare, but the continuity OF material
things makes. for stability of character
and aesthetic things have n moral re-
action. hope that In tho near future
we will lay plan for civic develop
ment SO as TO conserve present posi-
bilities, In order that future genera
tons may rise up. and thank God that
we planned and Ouilded for them. Rich
mond Will then be city setting it's
face against all moral evil. and de-
manding that the law be enforced and
officials Will carry out their sworn duty
, 10 enforce the majesty of the law
1T IL not necessary that official
be q Christian. But he should be "A
ms m nf 10Th raj
ing not personal ACKNOWLEDGMENT. but
the welfare Of the community, making
ii easier 10 do right than wrong.
Campaign of Education.
TO DO away with tho segregated dis
trict. believe that IL should bc closed
UP, but we can't afford to sit by with
tacit consent to the liberation OF this
gigantic evil. 1t is not necessary
not be an evil. ard If it is an evil il is
not necessary. II is not only the off,
s eias who ARE to Plans but ths eiti
IT to go into existence. and' we allow
haven't tried to educate the people
against this tremendous problem. But
the time has come when we must start
,oe campaign Of education in order to
recurrence Impossible.
1T was splendid start to establish
q commission to investigate the evil.
and deliberately. and not in the fever
Of hysteria. There is danger OF reac-
tion If we act not calmly. and we want
TO have as little reaction as possible.
We must first plan to help tho women
who would BIO cast on their own re-
sources Some or them want to lead
II moral life, and we must aid them in
that desire. And We must mako u men
tai survey of those who arc weak. and
make provision for the poor unfor-
tunatcs who can never be other than
they are.
Must Remedy Other Evils.
And while we are laboring against
this evil, we must face other evils,
fruitful. perhaps. OF greater harm. We
must remedy the evil of street Solicita-
zion. which is worse here than in any
city l have ever lived in. We must
face the problem OF cheap boarding
houses and of low resorts and the
shameful use Of automobiles to lure so
many young girls to their doom. Pow
crty ana vice are so often related that
we must also learn the connection be-
tween vice and economic pressure. and
get down to tho sources of the evil.
We must study the mental side of the
question, and bring pressure to bear on
the next Legislature to care for all tho
feeble-minded. II Is perhaps. not n
problem for one generation to solve.
but We must try TO do what we can in
an adequate, scientific and morally
satisfactory way"
VIII Visit Washington Grotto.
Samls Grotto, NJ. O. v. J.. i. r.. will