Chicago Tribune
REPORT ON VICE IS MADE TO
COMMISSION OF THIRTY
———
Will Not Be Given Publicity Until Legal Methods of Control Have Been Considered
Further.
———
"Saloons and the Social Evil" was the subject of a report made last night to the Commission of thirty at a meeting at the Union League club by a subcommittee consisting of President A. W. Harris of Northwestern university, Julius Rosenwald, and the Rev. Edward Kelly.
It was considered one of the most important received by the commission, but the members, in accordance with their rule of secrecy, declined to reveal the recommendations made. It was stated, however, that the propositions, if carried out, would change the character of many Chicago drinking resorts.
"We expect to have the report ready by Feb. 1," said Dean Sumner of the Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul, after the meeting. "It will mean that every one of us will have to devote, practically all his time during January to the task.
"If it were generally understood that the delay in making our final report is due to the investigation of all the legal points in the methods of control suggested, I believe there would be no criticism of us.
"When our report is ready, it will be not merely a body of suggestions but will offer a general plan of control and remedies that has been framed only after careful legal consideration of every angle."
Dean Sumner’s mention of critics was supposed to refer to the west side business men who have been trying to drive out the west side vice resorts. As the present city council still have only about a month of life after the commission complete its task, consideration of the report and ordinances based thereon, it was said, may go over until the new council is determined by the April election.
That keepers of disreputable houses in the west side will oppose Chief Steward’s order to vacate their present quarters on Green, Peoria, Morgan and Sangarnon streets before next Tuesday under penalty of arrest, was indicated in the evening by Charles Soelke, an attorney, who has been retained to represent their interests for the last several weeks. The order to move was read to twenty-three keepers by Inspector Nicholas Hunt in the Desplaines street station in the morning.
