The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-09-25

Were there ] estimated fully "
came and went Three
young girls were In Z pitiable state
Of intoxication. One Of them; 1
learned, belonged to . good family:
She was supposed 70 be Z good
girl, but had begun to 80 bad. She
imagined she was safe from detec-
ton Of her neighbors when she was
out in this resort remote from the
lights Of the city. This place is so
located that its orgies do not dis
turb others whose homes are In
that locality, yet It has been an OBJ
ject Of considerable complaint, but
the authorities have never yet curb
ed its activities. It is managed by
a man who has similar interests in
the city Of Rock Island. and the un-
derstanding Is that he pays hand
somely to insure him against mo-
lestation.
have sought to show you here
that there is q den running full
blast within a short distance of
your home where your son or
daughter might be ruined tonight.
I am telling you that it Is running
with the knowledge Of your Off
Gals, at least they ought to know
1t is running, and If they don't
know they can take this as notice
that it Is. 1t may not be operat-
ing tonight because of this publ
cation, but it will be open tomor-
row night, or the next night. II
you don't believe there is such a
place being operated in defiance Of
all law and decency, interest your
self to the extent of driving to the
resort and investigating for your
self. You will see some other
mothers daughter being piled with
liquor and reveling in an atmos-
phere that will spell her eventual
ruins. You will find that the prop
erty is owned and being prostitut-
ed at large profit by a man who
would have you believe that he is a
public benefactor, when in fact he
is the promoter and protector of a
vicious institution that may be de-
stroying the sweetness and happi-
ness of your own family circle.
Plain Outlawry.
You may accuse me Of being a
reformer. l am not, but l am a
believer in law enforcement. l
have seen too much of the conse-
quences of laxity in this direction
to be compromiser. l have been
describing an outlaw establishment.
1t has no more right to exist than
has an agency OF blowers. The
people who patronize such a resort
are assured that they may go the
limit, and they usually take full
advantage of their privileges. Per-
haps it is your wish that such a
place be maintained as a tempta-
! ton to your son or daughter.
| don't know, but if human nature is
the same in Rock Island as it is il
other cities when sentiment has
been aroused over just such a state
of affairs, l believe that you would
probably be in somewhat bellig-
erent frame of mind if you were
told that your son or daughter had
been inveigled into the contaminat-
ing environment Of such a place
tonight, and that you would initiate
some measures to remove thai
, temptation.
| You may be asking me how your
children are to be protected agains,
such menacing influences. There
is only one way: force your off
Gals to do their sworn duty. Your
officials probably have tolerated
such a resort because they have
not heard from you. Therefore, il
is only fair to your officials for you
to impress upon them that you
don't wont such a trap open for
your son or daughter. Demand Of
them that they suppress it. If there
are enough OF you and your fel.
+, low citizens willing to make you,
feelings known to the officials they
can't refuse to act. But if they dc
refuse to act you still have. re.
course in the ballot box, and car
place in office men who you believe
will respect your wishes in suct
vital matters.
i The city and county government.
are involved in this story. The cit,
| authorities are directly accountable
!. to you for permitting the com
liberalization OF lawlessness.
wouldn't want to do an injustice tt
, any man who is serving your cit
in an official capacity, but I'm tell
; ing you that somebody down a
, your city hall is responsible for tn,
: free hand that has been welded i,
/ this city by men from whom tn,
law vlolators receive immunity. To-
which privilege they pay regula
, graft assessments. ] don't wish I,
, unduly condemn any man seryin,
, your county in an official rifle, bu
!, do want TO inform you tina: Their
Is somebody in your county build
, ing who has afforded latitude t,
! persons who are cspitalizing thei
, power by authorizing lawlessness
, from which authority they are real
: izing cash profits.
Organized Power,
The men who have been author
lzinG lawlessness in this commun
i, lty Tor a cash consideration hav
builded an organization of who's
dangerous proportions possibly NO,
are not yet fully aware. They DOS
sess all of the known weapons q
resistance, intimidation, exposur
l and defense. They have become s
! firmly entrenched that they fea
neither the people, nor the off
! Gals. nor the courts. They ar
E teaching your children disrespec
OF law and order. They are edu
5 eating the ordinary decent citize
ia hn afraid "a aua.4.e-