Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-01-26
Members of City's Underworld
Throng Church Of Preacher
Who Tries to Suppress
Vice District.
ONE OF THEM IN PULPIT
She Puts Questions to Ecclesi-
astical Reformer, Who Con-
fesses He Is Stumped.
SAY Low WAGES THE CAUSE

women, mostly OF the open UNDER
world, proceeded to Central Methodist
Episcopal church here today to see
the pastor, Rev, Paul Smith, and ask
him what he intended to do with them
in connection with his campaign tor
the suppression Of the downtown
tcnderloin.
This campaign started when Mr..
Smith was told that street soliciting
was in progress at the very doors OF
his church. Feeling that he was
meeting with very little encourage
ment, he toured the district In COM
pany with investigators and newsppa-
pers published what he reported he
saw. Yesterday Mayor James Rolpl,
jr., and the police commission held a
session and announced that virtually
all of set of ten demands made by
Mr.. Smith for regulation under the
law would be granted. A mass meet
ing of citizens was called for tonight.
Preacher Target of Questions.
For thirty minutes today Mr., Smith
stood the target OF questions resoly-
ing themselves into, What are you
going to do about it?" and then the
women reluctantly trailed out Of the
church.
Mr.. Smith opened the meeting as
two policemen had been stationed at
the doors and men hangcrs-on from
the redlight district had been ordered
from the church.
II am not in a crusade against you
women" Mr.. Smith said. mo person
in the world has more sympathy for
you girls than have. The problem OF
commercialized vice is a man prob
lem. Men are making the money out
Of it. am willing to be Of assistance
to any woman in the world who is in
trouble.
II don't know your purpose in COM
ing here. ! am willing to hear you"
Woman Takes Pulpit.
A woman took the pulpit beside Mr..
Smith.
Il have operated house Of prosti-
tuition for. eight years and have
studied the problem" she said. Il
want TO ask first how many of the
women in your church would accept
us into their homes--cven to work.
You would cast us out--whcre to?
There isn't one among US here who
would not quit this life for decent
work. But we won't quit for wage
Of 81 or So week. A pair Of shoes
nowadays costs $40.
Every woman here has at least one
child. We are against street walking
and the lives we lead as we'll as you.
But what are you going to- do
about it?'
How many of you made less than
So week?"
Half Of the women raised their
hands.
"There are lots of things | would
like to solve, but am only one poor
individual" the pastor said.
Must Have Twenty.
"a girl can't live on less than $40
a week." said the spokeswoman.
men who are heads of families get
less than that" said Mr.. Smith.
Eyes and there are prostitutes
was the reply.
How many here would work for
$40 weekP" asked the pastor.
The women laughed at him. Not
a hand was raised. None responded
to question as to how many would
do housework.
IF | can help any Of you TO recon
struct your lives" said the pastor,
you may come to me at any time"
'You have raised tremendous
question and pledge myself now to
help you and to work for decent
wages. But | don't think woman
has the right to sacrifice her purity
for luxuries and fine clothes. Christ
gave His sympathy to the Magdalen,
but he exhorted prostitutes to lead
white life.
Does Not Blame Them.
II have never said drive them out
do not blame you. blame the
men who take your wages and the
owners of property where you live.
The system is wrong, but il seems
the women must pay"
The women clapped when their
spokeswoman said, in telling OF a
hat girl in hotel who worked for
SIS month:
"How long is that little girl going
to stay pure with mother and little
sister to support2
There are boys at the University
of California she added, between
10 and % come to my house regu-
larly with the money their fathers
give them to buy women. That's
why women are in my house"
Before you go into the vice meets
ing tonight try to think what will be-
come OF u.s."
Mr.. Smith said it was historic
meeting" and that a minimum wage
law for women was necessity.