Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-07-12
HOW VICE MIGHT HAVE BEEN
CURBED AND WAS NOT

TT WAS absurd for the Director Of Pub
= lie Safety to assert that conditions in
South Philadelphia in the vicinity Of the
navy yard, have been normal or that
adequate police protection has been given
the mothers OF this city were compelled
20 meet together TO devise ways and
means of combating the demorallzing
Influences which vice.mongers had
thrown about the avenues Of approach
20 the yard Within a month pRtri-
otic citizen has contributed a large sum
Of money for the construction Of an as
sembly hall. with baths and other in
struments Of recreation, within the yard,
and we do not doubt that he was inhu-
enced TO a very considerable extent by
the thought that such a center would
overcome in part the insidlous devices
OF vice commercialists who lay in wait
for marines on leave,
For weeks past complaints have been
reaching this office. We we're asked TO
urge on the Wares the Importance of
protecting South Philadelphia, particu.
larly the parts which were recognized
residential sections, against the intrusion
of loose women and cadets, who were
haunting themselves in public places and
sending their agents and drummers TO
every point OF vantage
We are not so simple as to believe that
perfect conditions can be obtained. We
do, not think that It is possible TO meta.
morphose a great city into a temple of
virtue by day and a citadel Of sobriety
by night. But we do know that only
fiagrant neglect Of duty by the depart.
ment which Director Wilson controls
permitted the outrageous conditions TO
exist which have warranted the Secretary
Of the Navy in uttering a protest on
behalf of the Federal Government, with
the idea that II the city refused to pro.
tect enlisted men the naval establishment
would take matters into It's own hands
and assure the healthful environment TO
which recruits are entitled.
The arrogance of vice in this city is
appalling. Gamblers in one part of the
town boast that they can do as they
please In another section, following
the cruel and melodramatic raid of
year ago, profligacy Is at high tide
under what it boasts is police protection.
Not in years has the force been so
demoralized. Generalization so appar.
ent even TO Director Wilson that within
the week he has been considering a shift
IN his commanders, according to reports.
A little inside political history would
not be out of point, When Smith was
elected Mayor a very considerable
Organization influence was brought to
bear to give the city a straightforward
and efficient Department OF Public
Safety. Certain leaders argued that the
public was sick and tired OF protected
vice and that It would establish the new
administration in the confidence Of the
people If a really great Director Of Pub.
lie Safety were appointed. Was such a
man obtainable? He was There was
one man in the Commonwealth who
everybody knew would make good. He
was John C. Groome, Of the State Con.
stabulary. Smith seemed willing but
It was discovered later that he had
already bound himself to Wilson. It was
an election pledge that had to be kept.
So Groome did not get the Job. II he had
got II. neither Josephus Daniels nor any
other man would today be holding this
city up to humiliation and indictlng the
nurroundings it has permitted to flourish
almost at the very gates Of the nations
greatest naval establishment.
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