Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-01
BROWNING VICE
BILL REPORTED
Werner Says Conditions Have
Improved Since Segregated Dis
trict Was Abolished.
HEARING ON PROHIBITION
Joint Session Set for Tomorrow.
Sharp Difference Over Elcc-
ton of Commissioner.

ton of Commissioner.
Without an opposing voice. the House
Committee on Moral and Social Wei
fare voted YESTERDAY afternoon to re-
port favorably the antivicc bill intro
duced In the House by Delegate Brown
ing and in the Senate by Senator
Saunders Next 10 the Mapp prohibi-
ton blu. this measure is regarded as
tho most stringent and far-rcachng
on the moral reform program
In behalf OF the bill appeared former
Governor William Hodges Mann and
Secretary r j. Mastin. Of the State
Board OF Charities and Corrections
Chief OF Police Louis Werner. of Rich
mond. submitted his views on local con
ditions as they have been affected by
the abolition OF the segregated district.
WERNER SAYS CONDITIONS
HERE HAVE IMPR0NT;D
According to Chief werncrs tcs,i-
mony before the committee, the aboli-
tion OF the segregated district in Rich
mond. by order OF Mayor Ainslic. has
materially improved conditions. Where
as tho police had under surveillance
!ormorli 100 inmates OF prCscrihcd re-
sorts, he said. only ahou, fifty women
authorities, and these. as far as the
police are aware. arc conducting them
selves in such manner that they can
not hc disturbed.
Asked by The committee 10 wha, eX-
tent II is true that tho abolition of
segregated districts is followed by "a
scattering of their dcnizcns ga respect
able residential sections. Chief Werner
replied thai this contingency is ado
quatcly met by tho residents them
selves, Nho are quick % report to the
police tho presence among ,hcn Of
persons OF an undesirable character
HOpEHEL. HAS iT~TRA C'rED
tSDESIItAnLE ELEMENT
Chief Werner reminded the commit
tee. however. that the problem pre-
cipitated hy tho abolition OF Tie &cErc-
gated district in Richmond was partial
u solved by the magic growth over
night OF the nearby city OF IIopcwcIl,
which attracted many OF the women set
adrift by tho revolution in Richmond.
Former Governor Mann told of the
successful application OF the law in
Other sta lee. IN otahly In Low a., The hill
was Endorsed unreservedly by Dr. Mas
tin. The committee voted without de-
bate 10 report il with the recommenda-
.tion that IL pass. few inconsequen-
tiai amendments We're Incorporated
BY tho same unanimous vote the com
mittcc reported Delegate Moss's bin
providing for the appointment of a
polCewoman in every city OF the Com
monweal,h credited with population
OF between $1,000 and 10000 b. the
last Federal census. In cities having
population OF 10000 or more. the hin
provides. two poiiccwomen shall be ap-
pointed
The committee voted also TO report
favorably Senate bill No. 20, which pro
hibi;s the sale or giving away of cider
or any other drink containing more
than onc-half per cent of alcohol with
in the corporate limits OF the town OF
Columbia, or at any point within ;wo
miles OF that town.
SENATE COMMITTEE REPORTS
STEPHENS0N ASTIGAMBLING BILL
With the House committee sat Tho
Senate Committee on Moral and Social
welfare. The Senate committee voted
unanimously TO report the Stephenson
ant!gamblinE bill, which has already
been passed by the House. The meet
ing was held in the chamber OF the
State Corporation Commission.
Both committees will sit in joint
session at o'clock tomorrow after
noon In the hall OF the House OF Dele
gates 10 hear argument for and against
the Mapp prohibition bill. The hear
Ing on thi1 measure promises. TO be the
most animated of the present session.
and will attract the leaders of the sew
eral factions that are taking a contro-
versial interest in the proposed legisla-
tion.
The imminent entrance OF the 'omni-
bus prohibition bill AS an item on the
legislative calendar has brought aI
lively discussion of its salient pro-
v.sions-chief among them the section
creating a commissioner OF moral well
fare vested with power TO appoint a
number OF deputy commissioners 10
assist him in enforcing the prohibition
laws.
SHARP DIFFERENCES
HAVE DEVELOPED
On tho dcsirahilitv OF creating A
separ rate police division for the enforce
ment OF these laws there has developed
sharp difference of opinion. In a
Legislature confessedly dry" by an
overwhelming majority. the commits
sloership feature of the proposed law
has uncovered many opponents, and
the possibility that there will he Il
bittet fight against the creation of this
office has grown to a healthy proba-
bility
Legislative gossip has proceeded to
the extent OF conjecturesi as to the Gov
ernor's attitude towards the bill should
IT come to him with the commissioners
shin feature retained. The Governors
recommendation that the executive
power be enlarged and strengthened. in
order that proper enforcement of the
prohibition laws may be secured, is
4al.a,, h,, rnanx nannn TINT hn mill