Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-09
WOMEN PATROLS
TO PROTECT GIRLS
WHO TOCAMPS

The problem created by the presence
OF Young girls in the neighborhood of
these camps is one which must be
suuarely faced by the American peo-
pie. just as it has been faced by the
people of other countries in war time.
/ The lure of the uniform is more than
phrase; it is an actually. Girls
often lose their heads BY these unus- i
ual conditions therein lies the !
problem.
: This is the opening statement of a !
phamphlet 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 organiz-
alton of women patrols in some COM
munities to do voluntary work near
the cantonments These volunteer pa
trolls do not have police power but
carry with them cards signed by the
chief of police or sheriff asking that
officers aid them in every way posi-
BILE.
Scouting and partol work is nee.
essary," says the committee. PRO
tcctivc officers must be on the streets
and in the vicinity of the camps TO OBJ
serve what is going on. Many of the
girls found lettering near the camps
are taken to their homes and their
i, mothers interviewed. 1t special trav-
elers' aid workers are not provided,
the railroad stations. the docks and
street car terminals are visited. Help
is also being given in locating miss
: ing girls and making Investigations
I concerning them. These officers visit
the amusement parks near the city.
the moving picture theatres, dance
; halls, parks etc, to see that city Ordi-
5 n3nces are enforced. and to discover
young girls who are in need Of help.
Protective officers also aid in the en-
forcemcnt of laws in cases where
| lyoung girls arc complainants.
1 Many cities already have ordi-
e nances for the control of moving pic
e ture houses. amusement parks ana
|, dance halls. If not already in effect.
i ordinances should be passed and en-
It forced. requiring that girls under 16
years of age he accompanied by par
u ents or guardians at moving picture
!. theatres to provide for some censor
: ship of films and TO regulate the dance
d halls. In some communities it is nee
G essary TO urge better lighting Of parks
( and streets. greater control of jitneys
II and automobiles. and additional po-
y Icing in the country. 1t may also be
l. necessary to secure ordinances or
e laws for an official house of detention
: and for better methods of dealing with
II girls and women in the courts. Ii
% there is not legal provision for proba-
st ton and commitment to an institution
e without the alternative of fine. eff
ii fort should be made to secure this"
The woman patrols wherever or.
ganized. it is stated, are under girls
r. protective bureau supervised either h,
- the police department or a voluntar,
- committee. The bureau staff usual,
=. includes director and at least TIVE
protective officers, all Of whom ar,
~ women. Wherever it is possible. thes'
- women workers are employed by thu
40 police department and are under il
jurisdiction. Where 1t is impossible
At to secure salaries for them from tn
~ city or county, it is stated, voluntar,
VI VI dSSuucS lc
| spOnsibilities for their pay and the re
" quest is made that the women be Civ
- en- police power in the city and tn
VI power of deputy sheriff in the county
IL I'm some cities" says the commit
he tee in its pamphlet, "it is recon
- mended that the local committee Of
~ camp activities appoint a sub-commit
III tee to take direct charge of this worl
es In few cities it is urged that
board be appointed by the mayor I
help in creating a girls protective bu
lis reau in establishing house of dc
l. tention and in securing the appoint
II ment OF woman probation officer.
A. others, the desired results may be oh
IS tanned by committees operating indie
We pendently. This committee will see
a. to carry out such program and sc
g cure these additional facilities.
Nv Wherever it is decided to estaf
,st fish a girls protective bureau or
,f house Of detention. the committee O
,Ie protective work for girls will send
workers 10 the city to help In the Oh
ganization of one or both of these
"The development of the educs
- tionaI side Of the question is proceed
N ing along various lines.
Trained workers give lectures {
n mnllcrs and talks to girls to secur
TO- corporation in giving assistance t
Ie- other girls and to show them how til
Ia work Is carried on. Lectures ais
re will be given to groups of men to s,
h, cure their cooperation. and variou
,rs other organizations will be asked
rc help in this.
n The workers in camp will meet
,.s conferences for the discussion of IL
IN problems arising in connection wit
~. the protective work and for the be
ter understanding Of methods of dea
&C. ing with delinquents.
In carrying out this program f
safeguarding girls during war tim
80 the committee on protective work fl
A girls must have the cooperation ar
help of city and county officials ar
of all organizations and individuals il
terested in this work. Some citi,
T. and local organizations which ha1
women trained for this special VOL
!, will be called upon to loan some
their workers for service in can
,or cities: others will be asked for re
r mittees. If these organizations. ind
viduals and all the protective fore,
in the communities will now unite
this work. much can be accomplishe
= not only for this war time, but f,
all time"
Miss Maude F. Miner Of New Yor
- is chairman of the committee. 9th
members arc Mrs. James s. Cushma