The Washington herald., 1917-12-09
The Open Forum
NEED OF MORE OFFICERS.
Reader Writes of Disappearance Of
MANY Girls.

Nldny SlIlS.
Editor The Washington Herald:
Several months ago a news article
in The Herald stated that in the pre-
ceding twelve months more than 100
girls uhirty white: eighty or more
colore0 had disappeared from their
homes in Washington or vicinity "as
completely as II the earth had swal-
lowed them" The article concluded
as follows:
'"The system in the police depart
ment when the disappearance of girls
is reported is to simply write the
| names. addresses, descriptions and
, remarks in the Book of Missing Per-
sons This description is passed out
to the policemen on a printed slip
within "a hours. and the case is prac-
tically forgotten.
In some unusual cases, where
parents have clues. detectives are sent
out to make an investigation. but
in the majority OF cases detectives
are not detailed to make a complete
investigation and search
Defense at Home.
Why is it that this fearful con-
dition exists? Why are no greater
efforts made to find these missing
girls and to prevent further like oc-
! currences?
In the present time Of the ma
tion's warfare. with powerful foreign
| foes, vast expenditures and prepara-
tions are put forth for adequate de-
| fense" and effective prosecution of
the war" Is It not just as vitality
urgent that We insure adequate de-
fense against this horrible danger in
! our midst? After war was declared last
spring, our army and navy were great
| ly increased as a matter of course, to
meet the needs OF war. If our pres
ent police and detective forces are
too small to put skilled sleuths on
each and every case Of these tragic
disappearances Of the weak and help
| less. then let this community, like
| the nation at large. meet the ne
cessities of the case by the proper
! increase of the army of defense-the
police department OF the District of
| Columbia
Let me urge upon The Herald and
! upon all the other newspapers Of
Washington to bring this matter
prominently and constantly before the
authorities, the churches and the
, people generally of the Capital City
I of the nation, and to continue to
agitate the question until adequate
measures are taken to stamp out
this crying evil. this deadly peril
in our midst.
Example Is Cited.
To the above. penned by a hus-
band and brother. would add the
following. though some Of it may be
but feeble repetition:
One or more daughters of many
family, city and suburban, leave
home each weekday morning for
duty in store, office. or government
department, to help support the fam
! lily.
While the national and various
State governments are, as they should
be, fully alive to the present and
| future interests Of our country-now
imperilled by Prussian militarism-
should not the authorities of the
nations Capital make. or be enabled
to make it at least less unsafe for
the defenseless bread-winners of our
families, while on their weary way
home in the evening? If nothing
more toward suppressing the shame
| full evil be done in the future than
| in the past, country parents cannot
but become anxious at nightfull, when
their absent daughters are later re-
turning than usual.
Mr.. Editor, will you not, as one
of those much interested in the fair
name Of our Capital City. kindly
open your columns for another COM
munication and, II agreeable to you,
use your more influential pen, in be-
half of the exposed, defenseless men,
ber of many family circle, in town
and country?
| A STTRTTRRAN FATHER