The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-19
CITY AGAINST
CAMP FOLLOWERS,
MINISTERS URGE
Adopt Strong Resolutions Urging En-
forcement of Law Against Street.
Walkers and Other Vicious
Elements.
WARN PARENTS TO KEEP
GIRLS OUT OF DANGER
Additional Facilities, Including More
Women Probation Officers, Demand
ed-Present Problem to Churches
On Sunday. September 80.

Ministers OF all denominations met
delegates to adopt resolutions for
quick and definite action in safegua I'd
ing Richmond against the moral and
social evils expected to follow the con-
centration of thousands of troops in
the vicinity. In addition to Richmond
representation, large numbers of min
listers came in from Chesterfield and
Henrico counties. DIR. w. r Bowie.
rector of St. Paurs Episcopal church.
presided.
In addition to the moral and spiritual
aspect. DR.. Benjamin r. Tucker warned
his audience that Richmond would be
threatened with q wide spread of dis
ease Ii nothing was done to prevent
camp followers and hangers on" from
settling in Richmond
Juvenile Delinquency increases.
Judge Kicks of the Juvenile and do
mestic relations court, spoke on juve-
nile delinquency. stating that It had
increased fully 60 per cent among girls
alone. Judge Kicks said that practi-
cally every case which came TO his at
tsntion revealed the fact that the girl
had no proper home training and rela-
tionship with Sunday school Influences.
He urged the ministers to endeavor to
counteract- this state of affairs by tn
vestfgating the families in their com
munities and bringing the girls under
the influence OF the church.
The resolutions were read by Rev
DIR. McFaden and adopted in sections
and as whole. The resolutions were
prefaced with a foreward cautioning
the people to prepare TO deal with an
abnormal state of affairs. Attention is
called to the attendant evils which
would follow concentration OF the
troops at Camp Lee. such as hundreds
of loose women and gamblers. "aIl
eager for prey. AS proof that the
situation will be serious in the extreme.
the loaded dockets OF the Juvenile
court are cited. and the increased ros-
ter of the city jail. These are taken
as evidence that the problem will not
be confined to Petersburg or Camp
Lee. but to all adjacent cities. inciud-
ing Richmond.
AS a means of preventing these evils.
resolutions were adopted urging the
police authorities to take drastic steps
for the suppression Of street-walkinE.
disorderly houses and the use of auto
mobiles for disorderly purposes, the
yagrancy law To be used In this con-,
nectton; that steps be taken to protect
young girls who, FOR ans reason. were
not under suitable family restraint; to
make a strenuous appeal for additional
facilities to meet the unusual demand.
such as additional women probation
officers. accommodations for larger
number of girls at Industrial schools
and a city farm for Jail prisoners. ss
war measure. 1t was further urged
that all pastors In the country impress
the parents of young girls with the
danger Of allowing them to come to the
city without adequate, protection.
---. The. resolutions were referred 70 the
ministers committee of the council of
defense, In charge of Or. Russell Cecil.
member. Or. Cecil Is also a mem Der
of the moral life committee of the COM