Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-03-02
By Mabel Harris. |,

-AttlVA MC1S rave dDOUl HTISs tianfty, but they don't practice it," began Mabel Harris, prOpric-
 tress of a South Third street re.
 sort. when told that the city in-
 tended wfping out the segregaii,l
 district. She wasn't aiming her
 remarks at tie mayor, but sile
 was speaking in general
 Performers will say that the dis trict should be closed up, but what are they going to do to help the u.l- fortunate inmates of these resorts Are they going to take them into heir homes and care for then? Will they obtain positions that will en- able them to live respectfully? The public is responsible for them, but will the public see .o ,lieir future welfare =
 eff the restricted section is abol- ished these girls will drift around the town, living next to the best peo- pie and mingling with them. There 1 certainly is no, way to prevent them from going where they phase. They should be allowed to remain where they are. and the entire city will be better off .e
 For all care the mayor eau close up the district tomorrow; in fact Eve been trying to get out for the last two years, but financial af- fairs have gone against me and am forced to remain.
 However. if they do close up the houses. and thereby remove this 'nec- essary evil-which it has proven to be-virtue will be in danger. And there is no one in this world that I do.
 Here is something else, too," she added. "l'll wager there is not person in the city of Memphis who has saved more girls from going wrong than 1 have. They've come t., me all right, but I've talked it out of them, ard have seen that they went the right way"
 The speaker shook her finger In the face of the reporter and with stern expression and low voice, murmured:
 Do you know that it will be un- safe for a girl to walk on the streets of Memphis without being insulted if this law is enforced? Do yo'; realize that more damage will be done to young girls than can be re- paired in a century? Pm not talkins from hearsay. for I realize the gray ity of this case, and taking it in all it's seriousness, I am speaking as one who knows.
 I'll illustrate just how I regard chastity" continued the woman Twenty years ago l found baby in the vestibule of my place, and Jerome Richards. who was then chief of po- lice, told me to adopt it if I would raise her right. l did, and that girl today is the most beautiful I ever saw.
 ''She thinks I am her real mother, but she doesn't know what I am. That girl has been educated in the finest private schools in the country. She was graduated last June and she has been instructed beth by her teachers and by me against the evils of men. "If l ever caught any man attempt- ing to spoil her, I can't say what would do. respect virtue just like you do, or any other man with sis ter. wife or mother.
 "GirIs cannot remain pure with uhe district abolished. There is not one chance in the world for them, and you will never convince me other- wise. You know what will happen just as we'll as I do-young girls that should be in school will be run ming the streets, not only ruining their lives, but the lives of others. "The streets will be full Of them, I say. and it will be only because the district has been abolished.
 q believe in a segregated district, land I believe in stringent laws, but l I don't believe in total abolition. You mark my word that when this district is closed. soc:cty will feel lnhe blow more than we will. These girls are already derelicts, but they are not members of prominent fami- lies.
 Am I right?'