The Washington herald., 1914-11-15

from the drink trafic and the opium
trade and to protect our homes by the
total prohibition of these curses Of civil
lization throughout all the territory over
which their government extends. This
petition was eleven years In making Its
journey around the world. and was cir
culated amongst fifty different nations
, and received 10000 signatures
The polygot petition was first pub
licly presented in Washington. ID. C.,
February Is, 1896, where II decorated the
great Convention Hall, holding 1000 peo-
pie. with Lady Henry Somerset, Of Eng
land, presiding.
the general officers Of the Worlds and
National woman's Christian Temperance
Union, with the president Of the White
Ribboners. OF the District Of Columbia,
Mrs. Sarah d. La Fetra, were granted An
interview with President Cleveland at the
Executive Mansion.
In presenting this petition to the Presi-
dent, Miss Willard said. In part: "Inas-
much as this petition originated and has
been most largely signed in the United
States, it is hereby respectfully brought
to your attention, not on any legal
ground, but because II Is addressed to
the governments Of the world and you
are the executive chief of this govern
ment-"
The President made courteous re-
sponse.
Women Immigrant Inspectors.
When the W. C. T. U. was informed
that unscrupulous men and women were
meeting the ships In New York Harbor
and under the pretext Of finding respec-
table work for the girls who came over
In them. taking them to houses of vice
and shame. with Mrs. Margaret Dye
Ellis, national superintendent Of legis-
Iation. I went to consult with President
Roosevelt on this frightful situation. We
found him most interested and indignant
at hearing Of this abominable state Of
affairs, and in our presence he imznedi-
ately dictated a letter to his private sec
retary authorizing the proper authorities
to appoint women inspectors to 60 out
to the quaraAtine station and meet and
interview these girls, learn Of their in
tentions and help them to obtain places
Of safety.
These women inspectors were at first
ridiculed by the press, but now that their
work is understood they are treated with
the greatest respect by the papers.
It was through the efforts Of the Dis
trict w. C. 7. u. that President Cleve-
land forbade the sale of liquors at Fort
Washington and also at the national en-
campment on the White Lot during his
administration.
The W. c. T. U. urged the passage OF
the one-mile limit law around the Sol
diers' Home and protested vigorously
against the saloon In the Capitol
II was also the first organization to
agitate women police matrons, and was
instrumental in having an order issued
permitting policemen to have their coats
unfastened and discard their gloves In
summer, also to bring TO the attention Of
proprietors of stores TO provide seats for
the young women in their employ during
leisure hours.
In connection with the Christian
churches, the Anti-Saloon League and
other temperance organizations the w. c.
T. y. has used every EFFORT in working
for the passage Of the Jones-Works law,
and when It goes into effect in November
next, II will bend all its efforts to edu-
eating public sentiment regarding the en-
forcement Of the measures therein con-
tanned.
We have twenty-four unions scattered
in different sections Of the city. working.
In thIrty-fcur great departments Of work.
which cover almost every phase OF Chris
tian and temperance work, and a mem
bership OF over loo.
We have a large building at 81 Sixth
street porthWest paid Tor and partly