The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1918-02-09
PROTECTIVE WORK
FOR GIRLS BEGUN
NEAR ARMY CAMPS
War Dept. Commission Tells
of Necessity For It's
Activity.

More than a million and a half
men are concentrated in about so mill
ltary training camps of this country.
Inc problem created by the presence
OF young girls in the neighbprhood of
these camps is one which must he
squarely faced by the American Deo-
pie, just as it has been faced by the
people of other countries in war time
The lure of the uniform is more than
a phrase; it is an actuality Girls Of
ten lose their heads by these unusual
conditions-and therein lies the prob-
! lem
This is the opening statement of a
| pamphlet issued by the Committee on
Protective Work for Girls of the War
| Department Commission on Training
Camp Activities outlining its aims and
telling of the work being done by To-
cal agencies.
The committee reports the organ
ization of Woman Patrols in some
| communities to do voluntary work
near the cantonements. These vol
untary patrols do not have police pow
er but carry with them cards sisned
! by the chief of police or sheriff asking
! that officers aid them in every way
| possible.
| Scouting and patrol work is nee
essary," says the committee "Pro-
tective officers must be on the streets
and in the vicinity of the camps to
| observe what is going on, Many of
the girls found lettering near the
camps are taken to their homes and
their mothers interviewed. : If special
Travellers Aid workers are not pro-
vided, the railroad stations, the docks,
and street car terminals are visited.
Help is also being given in locating
missing girls and making investiga-
tons concerning them. These officers
visit the amusement parks near the
city, the moving picture theatres,
dance halls, parks, ETC., to see that
city ordinances are enforced and to
discover young girls who are in need
/ of help. Protective officers also aid
in the enforcement of laws in cases
where young girls are compliments.
MANY cities already have ordi-
nances for the control of moving pic
ture houses, amusement parks and
dance halls. If not already in effect
ordinances should be passed and en-
forced, requiring that girls under IL
years of age be- accompanied by pa
rents or guardians at moving picture
theaters, to provide for some censor
ship of films and to regulate the dance
halls. In some communities it is nee
essary to urge better lighting of parks
and streets, greater control of jitneys
and automobiles and additional polio
ing in the country. 1t may also he
necessary to secure ordinances OF
laws for an official House of Deten-
ton and for better methods of deal
ling with girls and women in the
courts. If there is not legal provision
for probation and commitment to an
institution without the alternative OF
a fine, effort should be made to secure
this"
The Woman Patrols wherever or
ganized, it is stated, are under a
Girls Protective Bureau supervised
either by the police department or
voluntary committee. The bureau
staff usually includes director and
at least two protective officers, all Of
whom are women. Wherever 1t Is
, possible, these women workers are
employed by the police department
and are under it's jurisdiction. Where
| it is impossible to secure salaries fol
them from the city or county, it Is
stated, voluntary committee or or
sanization assumes responsibilities fol
their pay and the request is made
that the women be given police power
; in the city and the power of deputy
sheriff in the county.
I'm some cities says the commit
tee in its pamphlet, cit is recon-
mended that the local committee OF
camp activities appoint sub-com
mittee to take diroct charge of thi
. work. In a few cities it is urged tina
board be appointed by the mayor tt
help in creating a Girls Protective
Bureau in establishing a House of De
tention and in securing the appoint
ment of a woman probation officer. Il