The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-06
RICHMOND SHOULD
GET POL|CEWOMEN
Mrs. Alice Stebbins Wells Tells
Of Duties and Possibilities
of This Position.
c0MMENDs POLICE
Biuccoats Are Not Appreciated
Properly by Public, and Are
Not Given Cooperation.
HIGHLY coMMENDs POLICE

Changing conditions. caused by the
rapid growth of cities. demand the adj
dillon of women officers to modern
police forces. Mrs Alice Stebbins Wells,
policewoman of Los Angeles. stated
last night before the Equal Suffrage
League of Richmond. in an address ut
the Y. NJ. c. a auditorium. Her talk
dealt with tho need of policcwomen and
with their work, particularly in the
regulation Of the morals of the youth
of n community.
Jacob Umiauf patron OF nm ordin-
ance once before the Common Council,
asking for the creation Of such q
position in this city, introduced Mrs
Wells to the large audience. His re-
marks. which were brief, touched upon
tho local needs. The city fathers, he
said, were not bad as n class. but there
werc some who We're afraid TO stand
up to what they know to be right No
public servant, he said. has tho right
to have any associations that would
prevent him from doing right.
Mrs. Wells. who was tho first real
pollcewoman in this country, was
disappointment to those who expected
to see woman of different type.
The audience was greet sd by a pleas
nnt-fcatured, soft-voiced. smiling little
woman who is clearly in love with hor
mission In life, and who is familiar
with the workings OF the police In NIL
us details. Her address gave an in
sight into tho real worth of tho blue
coats who guard the public safety.
Police Have High Standards.
There should be n higher apprecia-
ton and more cooperation given
these men," she stated, There is no
body of men with higher standard
of morals, with the possible exception
OF ministers. while they arc subjected
to the greatest OF temptations, and
often are compelled To work without
the sincere support of the public"
Their hours Of work and lack OF week
ly days of duty were condemned by
the speaker
'Polccwomcn," Mrs Wells said, ARE
not attempting to do the work OF the
male officers. but are combining their
activities TO those things which can
better he done by their sex. They have
work dealing with women and children
Always women have cared for women.
and women have cared for children, and
the spirit of protection Is in them"
Mrs. Wells described a number of in
stances where policemen are at a dis
advantage, especially in dealing with
the girl question.
THE public has no right" she said,
to expect man to deal with some of
these cases 1t is either putting pre-
MUM upon neglect of duty to do So
or II is asking him TO jeopa rdize his
reputation. which Is just as valuable
to him and his family as that OF any
other man. The pol!cewoman can talk
to these girls and to their mothers. and
can offer advice which n man could not
suggest. or which would not be accept
ed ii he did"
Women Settle Domestic Affairs.
The value OF a woman in several
other branches OF police work, espe-
cially the supervision Of public places
of amusement, such as dance halls and
picture shows. and with dealing with
domestic difficulties, were described.
and n number of actual instances were
cited
Women of the better class" said
Mrs. Wells, hesitate to speak to n man.
The woman officer has tact and can
deal with these cases. Other women
fear to bring their family affairs be-
fore a court, while the woman officer In
many cases can easily settle affairs
quickly and with satisfaction to both
sides. Prevention. not rcparation, is
the best method" she said.
Mrs. Wells advocated the addition OF
women TO the Richmond Police Dc
partment. To put just one on would
be 10 put her at disadvantage. she
said, but even one is step In the
right direction.
Mrs. Wells will speak this afternoon
in Park Place Methodist Church on the
prevention of the social evil. The adj
dress will he to women only.