The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-26
DIVERGENT VIEWS
ON VICE PROBLEM

Citizens OF prominence in tic affairs
Of tho city and State took widely di-
vcrgont stands last night before the
Senate Committee on General Laws
upon the expedicncy OF making law
the bill introduced by Senator Saun-
dcrs In tho Senate and Delegate Land
In the House which aims NJ the abo-
lition or segregated districts through
Injunction proceedings against owners
ot property in which Immoral prac-
The bill Is virtually copy OF the
Kenyon law recently passed BY Con
gross. under which the Washington
segregated district was outlawcd and
destroyed. Advocates of the measure
told the committee that twelve States
have passed tho same law.
Hearing IL Controversial.
The hearing was extremely contro-
vcrsial, and much OF the Time was
spent by the leaders OF the two fac
that each side should be given 70
present It's ease. DR.. James Cannon.
Jr. led the argument for the BIN. and
tor Of An saints Episcopal Church. and
j. W. Shacklcford. OF the Norfolk Vice
CoinIniss
Against tho bill appeared j. II. Drake.
Lr, Or. L. 7. Price. Or. Douglas $.
EfGeman and J.. THOMPSON Brown.
held TO the belief that the breaking
up OF the restricted districts would not
provide the relief desired. but would
over wider area and make il more
difficult OF control by the police.
Ihc committee voted nj the outset to
sent Its case. As the hearing drew to
an end the time was extended In one
or two Instances by unanimous con
tague were In favor OF giving the
speakers as much time as they want
cd. but Il motion 10 that effect was de-
featcd. and tho original Limitation
stood The special time extensions
were made the subject OF considerable
acrimonious dispute. the side opposed
ccived the short end OF the deal
The evidence adduccd dealt with the
Vice problem In q statistical manner.
rious plans for segregation and other
methods OF abatement. Mr.. Shacklc-
ford quoted recent authorities 10 the
European countries has proved II
farce. He pleaded for the destruction
OF the segregated districts on the
ground that such step. while not
curing the evil entirely, would destroy
its commerciaiization.
Would Awaken Conscience.
spoke only rs an individual and not as
member Of the State Board OF Chari-
ties and Corrections. said that to cure
the source of supply. This. he said.
could be done only by guarding and
surrounding with parental and other
liable to fall victims. and by encourag-
ing an enlightened public conscience.
Once this is ATTAINED, he thought, tho
segregated district Will die a natural
death. TO abolish IL, he thought, would
serve no practical end.
]. Thompson Brown appeared for the
Richmond Real Estate Exchange.
While he would prefer that the bill be
Killed he asked that in the event that
the committee decide to report the bill
it amend 1t SO as to protect real estate
agents from prosecution for their
share In unknowingly renting prop
erty which might later harbor immoral
practices.
Rev II. d. c. Maclachlan. D. D.. pas
tor OF the Seventh Street Christian
Church., said that while he favored the
bill in principle, he thought II would be
much better for Richmond that such a
this year.
The committee took tho bill up in
an executive meeting at o'clock Fri
day night to take action OH II.