Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-19
MINISTERS ALARMED
BY VICE CONDITIONS
Abnormal Number of Underworld
Characters Already Gath
cring Here.
WOULD PREY UPON SOLDIERS
Resolutions Demand Drastic Steps
for Suppression OF More Flagrant
Forms Of Vice and Protection OF
Girls Now Flocking to This CITY.

steps which the city must take to
receive the thousands of soldiers who
viii come here from Camp Lee. and
action which should be taken by the
authorities TO protect these men and
TO reduce vice evils TO a minimum. were
outlined yesterday at "A conference of
the ministers of Richmond. called bv
the committee on training camp ac-
tivities and held in the hall of the
Hor.c Of Delegates. Capitol Building
strong resolution" calling upon the
officials TO act were unanimously
adopted
], was decided that sunday. Scptcm-
ber 80, be set apart In all Richmond
churches as, day for simultaneous
services to impress each congregation
with the necessity for meeting the new
conditions which are about to develon
in The community. On the afternoon
OF that date. AT Il place TO be deter.
mined upon by the committee n mass
meeting will he held, at which time
prominen, speakers Will be heard In
behalf Of the protection Of the soldiers
and the suppression of lawiessness in.
cideni to the influx OF thousands of
men.
MINISTER'S ADOPT
STRONG RESOLUTIONS
The committee adopted the following
resolutions:
I'm few weeks our city and COM
munity will be flooded with thousands
OF young men. fresh from their homes
free from al! restraints they have
known in normal home and community
life. With the coming of these young
men there will be new burdens and
new responsibilities thrust upon the
leaders or thought and molders OF pub
lie opinion, AS we'll AS upon the gov
crnInS authorities OF Ttichmond and
the surrounding territory. Already the
presence of the soldiers and the news
OF the coming OF more men has at
tracted hundreds. If not thousands. of
street walkers and gamblers, all eager
for prey. That we have an abnormal
state of affairs confronting us is easily
evidenced by glance at the dockets
OF the Juvenile and Domestic Relations
Court and Of the Police Courts. and by
reading the roster of the City Jail
AS time goes on. this condition will
become more and more abnormal and
unless swift and definite action is
taken. both our homes and community
will be seriously menaced, if not ire
parably damaged
Hon. Newton ID. Saker, Secretary
OF War. in letter to the Governors
Of the various States in which the
ira aiming camps are being located, calls
attention TO the serious menace which
will arise from bringing so many
young men together in one community,
and says:
"I am determined that our new
training camps, as we'll as surround
ing zones within an effective radius
shall not be places OF temptation and
peril The War Department in
tends to do its fun part in these mat
ters. but we expect the cooperation
and support of the local communities
THREATEN HEALTH AND
MORALS OF COMMUNITY
Relieving that any evil or evils
which may threaten the i,calth ana
morals of our young men who will be
In the training camp near Petersburg
will undoubtedly threaten the health
and morals of the adjacent cities ana
communities. and believing that the
the manner suggested by Secretary
Baker. namely, the full cooperation
OF the local authorities
II. Re. ii resolved, That we must
take all necessary steps to arouse pub
lie sentiment as to the imminent need
Of law enforcement with regard to in
temperance. gambling and sexual i'm
morality.
"2. Be it resolved, That the police
authorities OF the city of Richmond
and tho adjacent counties be urged to
take drastic steps for the suppression
of street walking, designation houses
houses OF prostitution and the use of
automobiles for immoral purposes.
81 Re 1t resolved. That the proper
steps he taken for the protection Of
young girls away from home at work
IN the city. and young girls resident Oh
(INnnf Innnd 90 EouEIi, DO O.