El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-09-18
Women Take Up
Work For Girls
Socially Dozen
Need For Detention Home
In El Paso Stressed By
Social Workers.
D DORoTHY ID. JOHNSTON.

Carrying out the policy OF the ten
eral Federation Of Women's Clubs,
the FL Paso Woman's club is eviden-
cling an interest in the work now go
ing on in Fl Paso for the control and
amelioration Of the social disease.
This club, through Mrs. Charles B.
Stevens has furnished the girls in the
detention ward OF the United States
government clinic at the court house
with neat, unbleached muslin, one
piece dresses or slips. frightened up
with pink bands.
FL Paso's clinic was started last
February by the government when
DR.. Visscher Y. Wood was sent from
st. Louis to take charge. assisted by
two nurses. From its beginning,
those afflicted responded wonderfully
ment-they came voluntarily. even
before the state law was passed that
permitted their being examined and
held There is an average Of 100 pa
tients daily. A recent visit revealed
45 in detention.
Good Local Equipment.
The equipment. barring its Iimita-
tons, is splendid. the beds being
clean and comfortable, the ward airy
and Astounding in sunshine. There
are shower baths and a big fresh air
porch. The 90 beds available are Oc-
cUpied constantly and this does not
include six additional ones reserved
upstairs for negro patients.
The detention ward was opened
June e6, and despite the utmost con-
servation OF space exercised, how 10
take in more patients is causing con-
Germ TO those in charge On an aver
age. there are 30 girls n women
necessarily paroled who should. for
safety of the community. be informed
because Of the limited. insufficient
space. The workers say a house Of
detention. where the case having re-
be transferred. would greatly relieve
the situation n make possible the
internment Of additional girls, who
now have to be parOled.
Lectures to Be Given.
In order that the need for this work
may more clearly be brought TO the
general public. a series Of talks are
10 be made. in the near future. be-
fore the district councils. which ON
pose the county council Of defence.
It is expected in this way to bring a
realization that the same protection
should be given in Fl Paso to the
mothers and fathers Of the coming
generation that is being given in
other camp communities. In each OF
the other 80 camp communities Of the
country. similar work is being done
at the request Of the government. il
is averred, with the cooperation Of
intelligent citizens.
There were IS arrests on a charge
vagraney made during August in
Fl PasO OF women and girls, mostly
under % years Of age All such ar
rests are taken to the clinic for ex-
animation n those found suffering T.
from social disease are interned, If
found in virulent condition. In all
other cases they are allowed to re-
port voluntarily.
House OF Detention Needed.
According TO Miss Elsie J. Morrell. I
out from Washington on the law
enforcement OF the girls protective 4
bureau, a house Of detention should
be established and maintained by the
community. A workable plan IS that
o. county and city Jointly supporting
IL. for both city and county charges.
1leted q dining room for h girls de-
there. two meals being served
upstairs and lunch In the ward. The
'ounty and city are supposed to go
$3.50" on the expense.
The house Of detention answers the
objection TO holding young girls IN
he atmosphere OF a Jail. The alb
'ence OF 4 juvenile court but accent
iates the immediate necessity OF a
wholesome atmosphere wherein to
lOld these girls, 1t is argued The
,lan is not alone to fin an emergency
or its aim IS to promote intelligent
IandlinE Of girls by every agency
oming in contact with them. in the
.Ope that this policy may be incor-
GRATED n the permanent practice
Z every community