Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-09-21
JUDGE S0RRELLS HALTS MOVE 10
 OPEN DISTRICT
Refuses to Accept Grand Jury Committees Report Rec
 ognizing Prostitution.
DECLARES FACTS, NOT
 OPINIONS WERE ASKED
People Have Opinions" Says Jur- ist, And l Will Ask the Next Committee to Give Them
 Facts"

Facts"
 Recommending the Segregated red light district, under proper police supervision and the most careful city health officer examination and certification" as suited to "best pro tect and safeguard the morals and committee of the grand jury yester- day rendered a report to Circuit Judge w. B. Sorrells, who had in- structed the inquisitorial body to | investigate vice conditions and report on the number of prostitutes and houses used for prostitution, togeth- CT with names and addresses, if pos sible. Judge Sorrells declined to re- ceve the report. He expressed appre- citation of the difficulties under which the committee labored, but declared that facts had been desired, and not an opinion.
 "The people have opinions of their own, and l will ask the next com- mittee to give them the facts said Judge Sorrells in announcing his n- tention of having the grand jury to Dc organized at the October term appoint a vice committee.
 Judy's Report.
 The complete report prepared by the vice committee the personnel If which was not disclosed, reads:
 "We, your committee appointed to investigate various infractions O the law, and more especially the spread of venereal diseases, it's causes, and If possible to recommend a change in the method of handling whereby it would be minimized, beg leave to re- port that we got in touch with the federal officer in charge of these matters in this district, and after q conference with representative of said office were advised that their method was to locate and arrest the prostitutes-working through the municipal court. After due consid eration of the suggestions made, it seemed to your committee ttat no real good could result from sucn methods-and We reject the plan cf- fered
 With all the lights before us. it seems to your committee, that there are now equally as many, if not mere prostitutes and certainly many more houses where prostitution is prac- ticed for profit in our city than ever before in it's history And one of the worst features of this condition is that such houses are scattered all over the city-even in some of our best resident districts, and further it appears that the percentage of ven- ereal disease is greater than in years past.
 Can't Legislate Morals.
 "Your committee is of the oninion that morals cannot be legislated into the human family, and the only way to raise the moral status of any com munity is bv education--let quest ions of immortality be treated with lcss levity. both in private conversation and the public press--urge a cleaner and less, sensational press-insist that unclean stories be not printed as such things may be facts, but no news-urge a higher type of private life among all citizens, educate the public mind to higher, cleaner ideals and insist upon the single standarC of morals for both sexes. If this work is done consistently and pat iently, some good will be accomplish ed and finally after many genera tions of proper, persistent effort tn. goal may be reached.
 "But in the meantime your com mittee. realizing that the public minl (especialy of the male sex) is al present very far from this ideal men tai condition, we have roncluded tha l the segregated red light district Un der proper police supervision and tn, most careful city health officer ex animation and certification will min imize the spread of venereal dis eases and best protect and safeguar, the morals and health of our commun ity, and we respectfully recommend the adoption of this plan by the cit! of Pine Bluff"
 To Dismiss Jury.
 After returning 63 true bills. dis missing four charges and referring five cases to the next grand jury, cir cult court was adjourned until Sep tember 29, when it is probable tn present grand jury will be dis charged. The members of this body organized at the March term, are L. w. Clement. foreman: C. s. Mo New. w. N. Tru'ock, A. B. Martin T. B. Lyle, s. Katzenstein. Pinch back Taylor, C. E. Dalby, R. Koonce L. c. Mead. s. H. Jones, c. s. Eau cettef Ben Watson. T. R. Craig. A. B Craig, and J P. Cadv. w. P. Nc George and A. Frank Hays wer members. but were excused at thi sitting from further service. thei places heinz taken by A. B. Craig ant J. P. Cady.