The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-02-19

tary training camps of this country.
The problem created by the presence
of young girls in the neighoborhood of
these camps is one which must be
squarely faced by the American people
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 often
lose their heads by these unusual con.
ditiOns-and therein lies the problem"
This is the opening statement of Il
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 local
agencies.
The committee reports the organiza.
ton of woman patrols in some com
munities to do voluntary work near the
cantonements. These volunteer patrols
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 possible.
Scouting and patrol work is neces.
sary," says the committee. Protective
officers must be on the streets and in
the vicinity of the camps to bserve
what is going on. Many of the girls
found lettering near the camps are
taken to their homes and their mothers
interviewed II special travellers aid
workers are not provided, the railroad
stations, the docks and street car ter
minals are visited. Help is also being
given in locating missing girls and max
ing Investigations concerning them.
These officers visit the amusement parks
near the city, the moving picture thea
ters, dance halls, parks, etc. to see that
city ordinances are enforced, and to dis
cover young girls who are in deed of
help. Protective officers also aid in the
enforcement of laws in cases where
young girls are complainants.
MANY cities already have ordinances
for the control Of moving picture
houses, amusement parks and dance
hall If not already in effect, ordinances
should be passed and enforced, requir
ing that girls under sixteen years OF
age be accompanied by parents or
guardians at moving picture theaters, tc
provide for some censorship of films
and to regulate the dance halls In
some communities it is necessary to
urge better lighting of parks and
streets, stricter control of jitneys and
automobiles, and additional policing in
the country. 1t may also be necessary
TO secure ordinances or laws for an
official house of detention and for bet
ter methods of dealing with girls and
women in the courts. If there is not
legal provision for probation and com
mitment to an institution without the
alternative of a fine, effort should be
made to secure this"
The woman patrols whevere organ
lied, it is stated, are under a girls pro
tective bureau, supervised either by the
police department or a voluntary com
mittee. The bureau staff usually in
cludes a director and at least two pro
tective officers, all of whom are women
Wherever it is possible. these womer
workers are employed by the police de
partmnt and are under its jurisdiction
Where il is impossible to secure sal
aries for them from the city or county
it is stated, a voluntary committee
or organization assumes responsibilitie.
for 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,
"In some cities" says the committee
in its pamphlet, 1T is recommended
that the local committee on camp ac
tivities appoint a subcommittee to take
direct charge Of this work. In a few
cities it is urged that a board be ap
pointed by the mayor TO help in Great
ing a girls protective bureau in estab
fishing house Of detention and il
securing the appointment of a woman
probation officer. In others, the desired
results may best be obtained by com
mittees operating Independently This
committee will seek TO carry out sucl
a program and secure these additiona
facilities.
wherever it is decided to establish
a girls protective bureau or a house
of detention, the committee on protec
tive work for girls will send a worker
to the city to help in the organization
of one or both of these.
"The development of the educationa
side of the question is proceeding alonl
various lines.
Trained workers give lectures tC
mothers and talks to girls to secure co
operation in giving assistance to othei
girls and to show them how this worl
is carried on. Lectures also will b'
given to groups of men to secure theil
cooperation, and various other organi
cations will be asked to help in this.
"The workers in camp cities vii
meet in conferences for the discussion
of the problems arising In connection
with the protective work and for tn,
better understanding Of methods o.
dealing with delinquents.
"In carrying out this program fol
safeguarding girls during war time
the committee on protective work fol
girls must have the cooperation anC
help OF city and county officials, anC
of all organizations and individuals in
terested in this work. Some cities anC
local organizations which have wOmeI
trained loI tIIS SPeCldl Nolh VIII p'
called upon to loan some OF their work
ers for service in camp cities; other.
will be asked fo representatives t
serv on local committees. If these or
ganizations, individuals, and all tn,
protective forces in the communtie!
will now unite in this work, much car
be accomplished, not only for this wal
time, but for all times"
Miss Maude E. Miner Of New York i!
chairman of the committee. Other mem
bers are Mrs. James S. Cushman o
New York; Mrs. William ID. DummeI