The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-21
Had Branch Agencies All Over
the United States.
Used Printed Letterheads in
Conduct of Business.
GIRLS so MUCH PER HEAD
Used Drug Habit To Enslave
Its Victims.
Complete Evidence Gathered in
Raids Last Week.

Philadelphia, Aug. 21.-As a result
of the wiping out of the "Carmine
Coast at Northampton Heights, South
Bethlehem, last Thursday night, the
government has come into possession
of evidence showing that q gigantic
white slave trust is in operation.
= They gathered additional evidence
showing every detail of the ring" and
how it is conducted.
The concrete evidence of the white
slave trusts existence shows that its
tentacles reach out from coast to
coast, and that there are forty-three
recognized branches in khat many
localities. These branch houses are
being operated by $50 known procur-
ers. Every one is known. Escape is
now impossible for these professional
panderers.
Marines Secured Evidence.
This evidence was gathered by men
from the command of Colonel Hatch
of the United States marines. work.
ing in conjunction with agents from
the department of justice.
There were fifteen houses raided
in Northampton Heights. In these
houses were found untold numbers of
letters. They more than filled two
Philadelphia and were locked up in
vault in the federal building.
Branches Used Printed Letterheads.
So brazen was the traffic in girls
carried on that the branches even
had printed letterheads. Colonel
Hatch's men also obtained a great
number of photographs. Each one of
the forty-three branches" is now I'M
der government surveillance, as well
ae he ting
them.
The letters show that the country
was blocked Off and territories with
a branch" having exclusive rights"
in their particular zone. When there
was a demand for girls" in q certain
the girls, or goods" as they are de-
scribed in the communications. would
be shipped from that particular city.
Girls So Much Head.
There was a fixed prize. The girls
were marketed according to age and
beauty. They were sold" at SO much
a head, for all the world like the sys-
tenn in vogue when slavery was in
force, only In this case the fate of the
white slaves" was worse than death.
One of the girls, VINO gave her name
as Sadie Bennett" died Sunday night
in the Jail. She was in an awful stage
as a result of narcotics. Every effort
was MADE TO save her, out Sne was
beyond medical aid.
So far the authorities have been I'M
able to ascertain what her real name
is, or where her people live. She was
one of the girls supplied by this
gigantic white slave trust" that is
now about to fall into Uncle Sans net.
Used Drugs.
The letters also give information
showing. the plans of a ''dope trust"
and how they marketed their Cooke"
to their victims. Among the dead
girls effects were letters showing that,
despite her large earnings made at
such a frightful sacrifice, every cent
had gone to those who supplied her
with the drugs she craved for and
which caused her death. It is ex-
pected that when the government net
is closed around "the white slave
trust" and the dope ring" that the
greatest blow against these unholy
lines of business ever struck in this
country will he dealt