The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-04-28
COMMERCIAL RECREATION LEG
 ISLATTON. G
Miss Julia schoenfeld.

'Tegislation is designed to protect the youth ot the city, boys as well as girls. from evil inf1uences.i'
 Recent investigation |, in Chicago, New York, Milwaukee. Kansas City, Cleveland and elsewhere has revealed methods by which commercial 'recrea- were exposed which show that corrupt fnuences dominate many of these pub lie places. Innocent amusement places were seen turned into vice-breeding dens, and, instead of simple social pleasure one saw drunkenness and inn- morality. The police witnessed aTl but stood idly by, failing to see the crowds of voting boys and girls who were there in violation of law.
 DANCE HALLS.
 In some public dance halls tough ties were permitted. Prostitutes min gled with the youthful throng of naer- rymakers, thus .gainingA recruits for the underworld. Evil minded men danced with innocent young girls. Frequently roonning houses or disor- derly places in the neighborhood were operated by the sanne men who man aged the dance hall.
 It was shown that the dance hall in many cases existed for the sale of liquor, the dance lasting but few minutes while the intermissions were long.
 The investigations showed the close connection of these conditions with crime.
 WHAT IS a PUBLIC DANCE2
 A public dance or public ball ik any dance or ball to which admission can be had by the payment of a fec or by the purchase, possession or pre- sentatfon of a ticket or token or in which charge is made for caring for clothing or other property or any other dance to which the public may gain admission with or without the payment of the fee.
 The following requirements should be sought for in working out 1egisIa- ton for dance halls:
 1. A license should be required for the premises used for dance halls and not for the man who operates the hall This places upon the owner of the hall resppnsibility for the conduct of the place.
 Permits for public balls and dances should be exacted and satisfactory ref erences furnished, in order that the type of freduenters of public halls may be regulated.
 2. Negotiations of the building and fire departments should be demanded in order to insure proper sanitation and adeqHate fire protection. Halls should be properly lighted and all rooms should be kept open. This gives an opportunity to close the small, dark. poorly dance hall.
 3. The. sale of liquor should be prohibited.
 4. The giving of return checks to dancers should be forbidden, so that the saloons and immoral places that exist in neighborhood may not be Dance halls should not be allowed in connection with rooning houses or
 5. Immoral dancing should. be for bidden.
 6. A reasonable hour for closing the dance should be enacted. Half past twelve is suggested, with a pos sibIe special permit to be issued for later hours on occasion. < <7. Attendance of minors under 8 should be forbidden unless accoppan-- led by parent or guardian
 g.. Inspection should be demanded and revocation of license or other pen atty imposed for violation. Y.
 g. License fee should be at or graded according to the size of the dancing space.
 MOTION PICTURES.
 The rapid growth and phenom-- enal success of the motion picture features which were brought to light. Investigation showed that the houses were poorly lighted and badly ventil- ated. They were overcrowded and
 
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