The Washington times., 1926-01-06
AYS TAKI
TING
HERE

That part Of the public which
claims that Lieut.. Nina Van
Wrinkle has been overzealous 6
chief of the Women's Bureau q
the Police Department today is
given an opportunity to scan the
inner workings Of the bureau
through the annual report made To
the District Commissioners.
Staggering statistics are re-
vealed IN the number Of inspee-
tions made BY Mrs. Van Wrinkles
privates. More than 5000 inspec-
tons were made as the result Of
S97 complaints which came di-
rectly to the bureau.
Movies Magnet
PoliceWOmen went to the movies
2.446 times and visited dances and
dance halls on SD occasions. More
than 200 youthful truants from
school attended the smaller movie
theaters when they should have
been at class, fourteen OF whom
were removed for discrderly cor.
duct. One child BIT an officer.
The report points out that police.
women didn't remove as many
young girls from dance halls as
they would have liked to-. Only
ten cases were so made. AL 81
which were adjusted. Usually, the
report indicates, the inspector
warns the girls that lamp is
burning In the parlOr window and
q turn should be made from the
primrose path.
Reve1 In Naughffness
So far Elslecent plays are
concerned the report points to the
opinion Of the stern Corporation
Counsel for the District Francis
H Stephens. who declares tllat
Washing tonians reVel I'm naugllfi-
ness and win support indecent
shows. Mrs. Van Wrinkle says she
holds no brief for adults, hut will
keep children out Of theaters which
run improper plays.
Many complaints were received
about indecencies in public parks.
according to the report. which says
that after weeks Of patient watch.
ing and patrol one man was caug
In Rock Greek. Park who had an.
noyed women
The persons interviewed by po
licewomen numbered 1850 or LISA
more than last year and the mum
Der Of cases requiring visits were
BATS, the report says.
Convictions Are Few
A total OF $50 cases were closed
and 136 persons, including juvenile
and police cases, were sent to
convictions obtained at 20.
Much soliciting was observed. It
is said. by both sexes. but inauffi-
cient evidence was procured to get
court action. IA campaign against
what Mrs. Van Wrinkle terms
drugstore Cowboys on r street
resulted I'm their practical exterini-
nation. it is reported.
In her recommendations Mrs. Van
Wrinkle urges the attachment Of
staff of physicians and psycholo-
gists to the Women's Bureau and
''flivvers" for the use of her inves
tigators.
She emphasizes the need Of O re-
institute as a haven
for 'tthe missing girl of today who
becomes the bad girl Of tomorrow.
Taxi "Petting" Menace
The biggest menace to society
today, according to Mrs. Van Win
kIe, is the taxicab driver who al
lows petting parties In his ma
chine. She advocates a "Wayward
Minors Law"
Other exposures made Of the al
legged moral decay of the District
are as follows:
Parents are guilty of allowing
their children to attend unsuitable
shows.
Many patrons of the motion pic
ture theaters are guilty OF in
decencies.
Lack of facilities to provide for
4 systematic and concentrated con-
Lrol of the District by policewomen.
An inadequate vagrancy law.
An antiquated and uninteliigent
method of dealing with the insane.
Mrs. Van Wrinkle believes that
he greatest encouragement for the
future lies in the fact thar there is
IN ever growing informed public
In closing, she asks. that early
ection be taken on the bill. delayed
n the last Congress, which provides
or the permanent establishment Of
he Women's Bureau.
opinion in Washington.