The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-03

sence OF a number OF members of the
commission from the city and the
consequent inability to secure we'll
attended meeting until this time.
u, In the first place. in response to
Your request TO SO do. the commission
desires to make itself clear in regard
To Section / of Report No. In which
he following statement occurs:
Houses of prostitution are not
Confiened 10 the segregated district.
Indeed. there are more such houses in
the city outside of the district than
ga aad we find by investigation
and consultation with weii-informed
PERSONS that. while the number OF
prostitutes in the so-called segregated
district is estimated at 200, the num-
t0~ operating in one way or another
outside the district is placed at no
- e than 600.
We desire to say that we mean by
houses OF prostitution all houses used
for commercialized vice. OF these we
find outside the district, In round
numbers. l20. Seventy of these are
houses of designation. Twenty eight
are. on good grounds, suspected of
being houses of designation. Some
'wen'y--two are known to be houses
Of prostitution similar in character to
So 1 AZ were in the segre-
grated district. And those who are in
..-.9h - know testify that in two
or three sections of the city there are
more such houses than were in the dis
trict The accompanying list as called
for in paragraph of this report will
disclose the fact.
'2. Section of the first report re-
fers to the list of such houses and
persons. ana the commission begs to
hand you herewith the lists referred
to. with the names and addresses.
with the imited time and the re-
sources of the commission. 1t has been
impossible strictly and most accurately
to verify all these lists: and the pub
location OF them would, In our opinion.
not only be prejudicial to the public
morals, but might probably do great
injustice II some innocent persons.
We, therefore, transmit these lists to
you with ME request that they be not
made public. but that they be used
by you and the chief OF police as sug-
gestions which may be helpful in the
effort of the police TO enforce the law
looking to the closing up Of all such
places used for Immoral purposes. ana
the punishment, III need be, of those
who violate the law.
Get Positive Evidence.
%. Your commission respectfully
renews the recommendation contained
In its first report. and would in addi-
ton urge that the police force make
earnest efforts ar speedily as IL con-
sistent with justice to the parties con-
cerned. to secure positive evidence to
the end that the law may be enforced.
-. We further suggest that in this
effort the police force should receive
In n g !. ,tTfc kat inc tfsh "A
ters in their Jurisdiction by prompt
conviction aid severe punishment
whenever justified by the evidence
brought before them.
I'm this connection we would ask
the presence OF the commemorative
attorney or the city attorney, as may
be most appropriate and proper. at
the hearing of all prosecutions for
violations OF the law bearing upon
the keeping of disorderly or assig-
nation houses aid other vicious prac-
tees Of like nature. The commission
recognizes that the presence OF the
law officers Of the commonwealth and
OF the city may not be considered
a strict and enforceable duty. but
the commission feels sure that they
will willingly undertake the labors
suggested, In order that the police
force may profit by their advice and
assistance. and that such cases may
he properly presented before the tri-
bunals having Jurisdiction thereof.
''5 Referring to your honor's last
communication to the commission ask
Ing for specific evidence OF wrong
doing. the commission respectfully re-
plies that its members have not con-
sidered that they were appointed as
prosecutors, OF for the purpose of Sc
curing evidence against any officer or
officers of the city government. nor is
such purpose shown In the letter ad-
dressed by your honor appointing the
II dividual members of the commission.
while this Is true, the commission
recognizes your honor's right to re-
quest at its hands specific evidence
moving Official misconduct on the
part of any officers of the city govern
ment
VIII Furnish Evidence.
Tn response to your request there
fore, the com mission begs to say that
while unwilling to be placed N the
position OF prosecutors, II acknowl-
edges the right OF the city TO the
possessions of suc1 evidence as has
been brought to the notice of the COM
m ssion during the Investigation OF
the subject of commerc!alized vice re-
quested by your honor. and made pos
sibIe IN part oy tHe appIpAfih'ion iioI1
the city treasury. The commission,
therefore. respectfully informs your
honor that & recognizes the duty and
obligation of furnishing to any proper
ly constituted eommttee or investi
eating body all evidence in Its posses
sion tending TO show official wrong
doing on the part OF members OF the
board OF pol lice commissioners. and
upon the demand OF such committee
or other investigating body we shall
place such evidence in it's hands.
THE commission does not wish to
be understood as refusing to place
his evidence in YOU hands as mayor
OF the City OF Richmond. but being
advised that II is not within your
reH'er'to conduct inva@'icaftons Of the