The Great War on White Slavery: Chapter 12: The White Slave Message From Chicago
Clifford G. Roe
The appalling exposition of vice, lust and shame—The human stockyards—The slaughter house for girls--The Reign of Debauchery—A night of horror—Chicago the first city to clean up —The exposition of vice going and going forever.
Have you ever gone to a large exposition, a state, national or world's fair ? There you find avenues lined on either side with beautiful merchandise and goods. In the live stock buildings are rows and rows of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. People are surging back and forth, stopping here and there to view the exhibitions. Now and then they go up to booths drink cider and cold lemonade, or seat themselves in one of the many lunch rooms, and then again you see others purchasing the wares for sale. There is music, bands and orchestras playing; side shows and amusements welcome visitors; at night the eyes are dazzled with myriads of electric lights.
In many large cities you will find similar expositions only of different character, not open only for a season, but continuing to attract great hordes of people all the year round. In some of the cities these exhibitions are brilliantly lighted with electric signs. The glare of the lights may be seen at night for blocks or squares away. As you approach nearer the sound of music catches the ear. Yes, here too are orchestras playing popular strains in cafes. Music boxes and pianos fill the air with rasping, gingling tunes. There are long avenues, streets and alleys lined on either side with saloons.. booths, cribs and palaces of shame. People are going in and but banging and swinging the doors. Windows reflecting varied colors and lights are partly open, Within there is dancing and laughter. Shouts and curses are wafted along the soft night air. Also one will find there the rows and rows of
(187) livestock. The hogs wallowing in their filth and drinking till their bellies ache. Sheep and lambs, gentle and unobtrusive are following the belle weather. Like cattle girls are herded for the slaughter, while men like stallions prance about in their drunken revelry. Yet, there is more, there is the market, aye the "Market for Souls," where human beings are sold into "Houses of Bondage." You will find in this great awful exhibition of vice `Panders and Their White Slaves." The shrieks and moanings of the helpless linger on the ear. Those who are being beaten cry out for help. Here, too, are side shows and base amusements. Slave owners and girl traders saunter about smoking black cigars, and wearing huge diamonds in their shirts to bewilder and blind guileless youth. Women in blazing red gowns flit in and out of doors. Debauchery reigns supreme. The night rolls on amid the din, the uproar and the noise, till the grey dawn mellows the darkness and all again is still.
Such exhibitions of lust and shame you will find from Philadelphia to San Francisco, from New Orleans to St. Paul, and in the center of all Chicago. Yet Chicago has been shamed. The great city on the southern shores of Lake Michigan has said, this horrible exhibition must be stopped. It has started to clean up, and that is the message Chicago sends its sister cities today.
Gradually, but surely, the exposition of vice in Chicago is going, and going forever. And as this crusade is now in progress, it will be interesting to learn what success has been attained, and how it was accomplished.
Chicago is unique in this cleaning up process. It does not claim to be the first city in America to stop the expositions of vice that have attracted so many sight-seers and visitors. In this respect Los Angeles, California, and Des Moines, Iowa, are both ahead of Chicago, inasmuch as these cities have effectively eliminated their vice districts and expositions. Also other cities have made sporadic, and sometimes sensational, attempts to eliminate vice expositions. There was the blare of trumpets, a great flourish, and all was over. In such attempts vice, was scattered instead of being cleaned up.
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Chicago is unique in that a systematic and business campaign has been inaugurated and pressed forward with great zeal against the traffic in girls. Not sensational, except with a few isolated individuals and their associations, but practical plans have been mapped out and followed rigidly. The Chicago motto: "I Will," is alike the motto of the Committee for Suppression of the White Slave Traffic in Chicago.
There had been rumblings and mutterings in the past against white slavery in Chicago, but without much apparent effect up: the minds of the people. It was in the early part of October 1906, that a few of Chicago's citizens became really aware that Chicago was a trading center for the white slave buyers and sellers. Then it was that a group of earnest workers held in convention under the auspices of the National Purity Federation, and Reverend Sidney C. Kendall, of California, who had twice traversed the North American Continent endeavoring to arouse ministers, churches and reform associations to the importance of the white slave problem, delivered an ardent address which at last got under the skin of a few ministers and settlement workers. This group of Chicago people was stirred to redouble the efforts already put forth. There had been rescue work done before this, and rescue homes had been established, one of them right in the heart of the red light district.
HEROES IN THE FIGHT.
Too great prominence can not be given the sturdy and sacrificing efforts made by such workers as Reverend Ernest Bell, Reverend Melbourne P. Boynton, Deaconess Lucy A. Hall and Salvation Army workers, and many others who stood night after night in the midst of the vice exposition in Chicago, yes amid the clatter and clamor of Chicago's shame, and preached and prayed for better conditions. Harassed and jeered at, fliers continued unceasingly.
Reverend Ernest A. Bell had established The Midnight Mission in the worst part of this district as early as August, 1904. This mission continues in its work of endeavoring to better
(189) social and moral conditions to this day, and may it long continue to help uplift the fallen.
Soon after Reverend Sidney C. Kendall delivered his rousing denunciation of the white slave traffic, in the fall of 1906, Reverend Bell, and Deaconess Hall began to look about them for evidences of this traffic.
The writer had known something of it in a vague way, having tried a case as early as 1905, which involved white slavery. Again in December, 1906, he prosecuted a case in which Henrietta B—— claimed that Morris Goldstein had brought her from Duluth, Minnesota, upon the promise of giving her employment in a theatrical company, and when she reached Chicago she was made a white slave: Morris Goldstein was convicted.
However, it was not until the latter part of January, 1907, that the writer's suspicions were aroused that an enormous traffic in girls was going on in Chicago. He was then Assistant State's Attorney, and he convicted Panzy Williams, January thirty-first, 1907, for procuring Agnes T—— for a life of shame. The case was brought into court by Reverend Bell.
UNCOVERING THE GREAT HIDEOUS BUSINESS.
Then it was that the writer determined that these were not isolated cases, but were instead only outbursts of a great hideous business which had bounded to the surface. He then and there pledged to Judge John R. Newcomer, that if he convicted the defendant, he, the writer, would investigate the statements at Agnes had made, and if girls were bought and sold, as this girl claimed they were, he would drag white slavery" from its hiding place to the light of day." As to how well he has kept word, this book is evidence.
The story of the struggles of the writer against the traffic in girls is a long one, too long to detail.
Many people have claimed to be the first to begin the fight against white slavery. What does it matter who started it, the question is who is going to finish it. There has been too much jealousy among workers against white slavery as to who has
(190) done this, and who is doing that, too many bickerings for honor and distinction in the fight. In the name of God and for the love of humanity get together, work together, each one doing his little part, correlating the work of others. Organizations and committees should all co-operate and mutually help and encourage each other, although they may differ as to methods and procedure.
No one man or woman, nor no one society in America is so large and influential in this fight, which is only just begun, that he, she or it can dominate all the others. In unity there is strength. Let each concede something to the other. There is good in all, and all will help in the winning of battles and all will have a share in the glory when the war at last in done.
The present historic fight against white slavery in Chicago dates from the day Panzy Williams was convicted. To the writer it makes little difference whether or not he was the first prosecutor in America to take up the fight for this cause. It makes little difference to people in general now what may have been the hardships, the rebuffs, the sneers, the gibes and the taunts he endured and lived through. The important question today is. how was it all accomplished?
A secret investigation was made through the kind aid of detectives loaned by The Citizen's Association and The Chicago Law and Order League. This investigation revealed the astounding truth of a gigantic white slave business flourishing throughout North America, and yes throughout the world. Our main interest then was Chicago. Arrests were made and procurers and slave owners were prosecuted. From the spring of 1907 to the present time the writer has averaged more than one conviction of a white slaver a week. Besides this other prosecutors in Chicago have convicted large numbers, making the total about four hundred.
A MAGNIFICENT RECORD.
Most of the year 1907 was prolific in white slave cases. February tenth of the next year The Illinois Vigilance Association
(191) was formed. The Chairman of the National Vigilance Committee Dr. O. Edward Janney, was present at the time, and aided in the formation of this new Association to fight white slavery in Illinois.
In March of the same year The Joint Club Committee for the suppression of the traffic in girls was formed to help in securing laws adequate to punish the offenders in this business. Mr. Robert Catherwood was the Secretary of the Committee, Mr. David Β. Lyman, Jr., was Treasurer, the writer was Chairman and representatives of the following clubs and organizations were members : The Union League Club, The Hamilton Club, The City Club, The Iroquois Club, The Jefferson Club, The Quadrangle Club, The Press Club, The B'nai B'rith Society, The Illinois Vigilance Association, The Chicago Law and Order League, and The Citizen's Association.
This committee, numbering among its members some of the best Judges and lawyers in the City of Chicago, caused the passage of the now famous Illinois Pandering Law, in the spring of 1908, the first law of its kind in America.
The Jewish people, incensed because of the part Jews were playing in the nauseating white slave tragic-drama, organized against the traffic in girls. Such notable men as Judge Julian W. Mack, Judge Philip Stein and Honorable Adolf Kraus, were enlisted in the fight. These men were also members of the Joint Club Committee.
The year following, the spring of 1909, an amendment to the Pandering Law was passed through the efforts of this same committee to whose ranks had been added the name of Mr. Henry P. Heizer, law partner of Honorable Edward D. Shurtleff„ then Speaker of the House in Springfield.
This law stands today unparalleled and unblemished. Four times it has stood the onslaughts of lawyers representing the combined strength of the white slave traffickers, and each time the Supreme Court of Illinois has upheld the law.
In the spring of 1908 the able United States District Attorney in Chicago, Honorable Edwin W. Sims, began his notable prose-
(192) -cutions against procurers who were making a business of importing foreign girls and selling them into disreputable resorts. He was invited, as was also the writer, during that year to lunch with a Committee composed mostly of members of the Association of Commerce in Chicago to make an investigation into the traffic in girls. From evidence given to that Committee by Mr. Sims and the writer, it was deemed advisable to form a Committee composed of business men to aid in the suppression of white slavery in Chicago. About the same time the B’nai B’rith Society had decided to enter more actively into the fight, and employ a lawyer to aid in securing evidence against, and prosecuting the panders.
Almost simultaneously, during the same week, both the above Committee and the B'nai B'rith Society made overtures to the writer to resign from the office of the State's Attorney, and take up the special work of prosecuting these cases.
UNDERTAKING A COLOSSAL WORK.
Finally both these groups joined together and the writer did resign in September, 1909, and took up the work in October of that year. Since then the personnel of the Committee has largely been kept secret for thereby it was thought its work could be carried on more effectively.
The following is a report of the work done from October, 1909 to October, 1910:
Report of Clifford G. Roe to the Committee Directing and Maintaining an Office to Combat the Traffic in Girls.
Herewith I send you a report of the work which has been accomplished by this office during the past year.
In accordance with your request I have included in my report a summary of the various stages in the development of this office and its work.
Early in the spring of 1909 a group of business men formed a Committee to investigate the traffic in girls commonly known as the White Slave Trade.
Thorough investigation proved conclusively that such a traffic
(193) did exist, which was not only detrimental to the morals of Chicago, but was also a great injury to the business interests of the city.
This group of men determined to establish an office on a business basis to systematically and effectually eliminate these girl traders, legally called panders, from the city.
Having been invited to take charge of this office by these men, I accepted this position and began active work October 1, 1909.
Through the generosity of the Chicago Tribune the office was financed for the first half year until sufficient funds could be accumulated from other sources to assure its permanency and success.
During the last half year generous contributions have been received from Julius Rosenwald, Henry P. Crowell, W. D. Allen, Adolf Kraus, Harold Swift, John Stuart, Clifford W. Barnes, John B. Lord, the White Slave Traffic Committee of the League of Cook County Clubs, The Society of B'nai B'rith and others, which have aided your Committee in maintaining and supporting this office.
The Chicago papers without exception have given our office excellent support and we should be indeed grateful for the firm stand they have taken in backing the fight against the traffic in girls, both through their news and editorial columns.
Also permit me to call your attention to the assistance public officials have given this office. Following the direction of your Committee our detectives aid the police department in apprehending those operating and connected with the traffic in girls. The office prepares cases for trial and when possible assists the State's Attorney and the United States District Attorney in the prosecution of offenders. In carrying out this work LeRoy Τ. Steward, General Superintendent of Police, John E. W. Wayman, State's Attorney, and Edwin W. Sims, United States District Attorney, have especially aided in every way possible and have extended this office many valuable courtesies.
In calling your attention to present conditions let me say that Illinois was the first state to adopt a "pandering law" and Chi-
(194) -cago is to be congratulated that it is the first city to look the situation squarely in the face and make a determined, businesslike fight against pandering.
Pandering, of course, means the procuring of females for disreputable resorts.
It is my belief that the morals and best interests of the city are being protected by our efforts; that the city is rapidly becoming one of the cleanest cities in America; that this cleaning out of panders will assure safety to women and girls visiting the city or coming here to find a home. While the number of cases given below will surprise many people it should also be remembered that the operations of our detectives have frightened many girl traders so that they have fled from the city, we hope to stay.
In round numbers it is estimated that about one thousand such persons have left Chicago during the year past.
This office has investigated three hundred and forty-eight cases during the year ending October 1, 1910, and from that number of investigations this office has brought into Court ninety-seven cases which involved in some way the procurement or sale of girls for disreputable resorts, and of these ninety-seven cases this office has successfully prosecuted or aided in the successful prosecution of ninety-one cases.
Also, by reason of these investigations, many girls have been found and rescued from practical slavery when those who pro cured them have not been apprehended or the evidence was nοt sufficiently strong to convict the keepers of the resorts.
Many arrests not mentioned below have been made where the defendants forfeited their bonds and ran away, or the girls who, were to be witnesses have been spirited from the city.
Cases which appeared to be pandering cases were often disposed of under other charges either because it was thought best for the girls involved or because witnesses were spirited away or intimidated so that a pandering charge could not be proved.
It has been our privilege to find scores of girls who had mysteriously disappeared. While we regret that in many cases we
(195) could not catch the panders, it has been a pleasure to restore such girls to their parents and relatives.
As an instance of the many letters of gratitude we receive is the following:
October 18, 1910.
Mr. Roe:
I am indeed very thankful to you for the good you have done for my daughter Irene. We are indeed very happy over the way it came out and we owe you more than we can pay, so please accept our humble thanks.
Wishing you and your fellow officers success and happiness I remain, yours,
Ever grateful,
Mrs.
P. G. ———
No.
Vincennes
Ave.
Council
Bluffs, Iowa.
Dear Sir:
I thank you for your kindness.
I certainly did not understand what happened in Chicago. Why did they think I was so mysterious as it read in the papers I have read your book and only hope it will help others who read it. I was so interested in it. I would not talk to anyone until I was through reading it, because I knew it must be the truth.
Hoping God will give you the power to help others as you help me.
I give my best wishes to all.
Yours truly,
VIOLET.
Such letters of gratitude are certainly monuments to our work and if we did nothing but find girls who have been proffered and restore them to their families the work would indeed be worth while. However, the following cases will show we have gone much further and prosecuted the panders and girl traffickers.
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PANDERING CASES TRIED SINCE OCTOBER 1, 1909.
Not all the prosecutions and convictions are included in this list.
Mollie Hart, alias Fern—Pandering—Judge Newcomer. Sentence six months and fine $300.00, October 11, 1909. One the Chicago-St. Louis gang bringing girls to Chicago from St. Louis upon promise of employment.
Albert Hopper—Pandering—Judge Newcomer. Sentence ten months and $300.00 fine, October 2, 1909. Also engaged in bringing girls from St. Louis to Chicago to be sold into disreputable resorts.
Michael Hart—Pandering—Judge Newcomer. Sentence ten months and $300.00 fine, October 30, 1909. Another member of the Chicago-St. Louis group of girl slave traders.
Lawrence De Mas—Pandering—Judge Newcomer. Sentence nine months and $300.00 fine, October 30, 1909. Sold Lillian —— into disorderly resort.
David Garfinkle of St. Louis,—Pandering—Judge Going. Sentence six months and $300.00 fine, November 18, 1909. St Louis agent of Chicago-St. Louis crowd. Convicted in Chicago.
William Degman—Pandering—Judge Newcomer. Sentence six months and $300.00 fine November 5, 1909. Sold wife Annie Degman into a West Side resort.
Thoman England, Jr.—Pandering—Judge Stewart, Sentence one year and $600.00 fine November 16, 1909. Sold Marie —— into South Chicago resort.
John Paul—Pandering—Judge Stewart. Sentence one year and $600.00 fine. Aided in same case. Girl brought from Indiana upon promise of employment. November 16 ,1909.
Maurice Van Bever—Pandering—Judge Edwin K. Walker. Sentence one year and $1,000 fine, November, 1909. Head of Chicago-St. Louis gang of procurers. Owner of two resorts.
Julia Van Bever—Pandering— Judge Edwin K. Walker Sentence one year and $1,000.00 fine, November, 1909. Conducted White Slave headquarters of the Chicago-St. Louis gang
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Paul Auer—Another member of Chicago-St. Louis gang. Manager for the Van Revers, forfeited his bonds and ran away, Nοvember, 1909.
Dick Tyler—Another member same gang. Also ran away, forfeiting his bonds, November, 1909.
Robert Heiley—Pandering—Judge Going. Sentence six months and $300.00 fine, December 10, 1909. Procured Ethel —— for disreputable resort.
Joe Bovo—Pandering—Judge Going. Sentence six months and $300.00 fine, December 24, 1909. Home, defendant, St. Louis. Brought girls from St. Louis.
Frank Whitacre—Pandering—Judge Going. Court directed verdict for defendant in pandering case and fined him $50.00 and costs on disorderly charge, January 5 and 6, 1910.
Richard Dorsey—Pandering— Judge Newcomer. Sentence six months and fine $300.00 and costs, January 5, 1910. Pro-red girls for disreputable resort in South Chicago.
Andrew Lietke, alias Andy Ryan—Pandering—Judge Newcomer. Sentence six months and fine $300.00 and costs, January 5, 1910.
Clarence Gentry— Pandering — Judge Going. Sentence six months and fine $300.00 and costs, January 28, 1910. Brought girl from Nashville, Tenn., for disreputable resort.
Frank Merson—Procuring—Judge McEwen. Found guilty January 17, 1910. Brought girl from Indianapolis, Ind.
Frank Romano---Pandering—Judge Fake. Sentence one year and fine $1,000, January 12, 1910. Procured girls for disreputable resort on South Clark Street.
Clara Klein—Pandering—Judge Fake. Sentence one year and fine $1,000, January 12, 1910.
Antonio Colufiore—Pandering Judge Fake. Sentence one year and fine $1,000, January 12, 1910.
Maud Woods—Harboring girl under eighteen years—Indicted —Fled city. For procuring girl for Maud Woods' resort Clarence Gentry was convicted January 28, 1910.
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Louis Fleming—Pandering—Judge Gοing. Sentence one year and fine $800.00, March 29, 1910. Defendant caught in Flint Mich. Married girl and sold her into disreputable resort.
Mertil Anderson—Pandering—Judge Fake. Sentence months and fine $300.00, March 26, 1910.
Harry Cusack and Tom Owens—Pandering—Judge Going Jury found both men not guilty, March 31, 1910. Albert Hope convicted October 21, 1909, later accused Cusack and Owens of employing him to procure girls for their resort.
William Dukes—Pandering—Judge Gemmill. Sentence one year and fine $800.00, April 30, 1910.
Ralph Armond—Pandering—Judge Going. Sentence six months and fine $300.00, April 8, 1910.
Albert Huth—Pandering—Judge Edwin K. Walker. Sentence six months and fine $300.00, April 18, 1910.
Peter Bernard—Pandering and Adultery—Judge Himes. Sentence an adultery charge, six months, March 4, 1910.
J. T. Mehl—Pandering—Judge Uhlir. Sentence six months and fine $300.00, May 9, 1910. Caught in Iowa. Sold girl to West Side resort.
Harry Cohen—Pandering—Judge Dicker. Sentence six months and fine $300.00, May 18, 1910. Brought girl from New York for South Chicago resort.
Ben Wagner—Pandering—Judge Dicker. Sentence six months and fine $300.00, May 20, 1910. Married girl and sold her into resort.
Abe Greenberg—Pandering—Judge Dicker. Sentence months and fine $300.00, May 20, 1910.
Sophronia Lebeau—Pandering—Arrested May 23, 191 Federal case, transferred to United States Court. Set for October term. Accused of bringing Adrienne Gingres from Canada for resort.
Battisti Pizzi—Pandering—Judge Edwin K. Walker. Sentence nine months and fine $1,000, June 3, 1910. Owner οf White Slave resort and procurer. For bringing girls to this resort, Alphonse Cítro was convicted in January, 1909, and Frank
(199) Romano, Clara Klein and Antonio Colufiore were convicted January 12, 1910.
William Kanouse—Pandering—Judge Gemmill. Sentence one year and fine $300.00, June 21, 1910. Married girl 17 years old and sold her to Armour Avenue resort.
William A. Rautenberg—Pandering—Judge Scoville. Sentence one year and fine $1,000, June 10, 1910. Brought back from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Frank Arnell—Pandering—Judge Edwin K. Walker. Sentence six months and fine $300.00, July 9, 1910.
Max Glasser—Pandering—Judge Uhlir. Sentence six months and fine $300.00, July 13, 1910.
Charles Yon—Pandering—Judge Torrison. Sentence six months and fine $300.00, August 4, 1910.
Howard Paden—Pandering—Judge Newcomer. Sentence six months and fine $300.00 August, 18, 1910.
Michael Stein—Pandering—Judge Blake. Sentence six months and fine $300.00, August 26, 1910.
Bruno Wozniak—Pandering—Judge Maxwell. Sentence six months and fine $300.00, August 31, 1910.
Albert Skirpon—Pandering—Judge Maxwell. Sentence six months and fine $300.00, August 26, 1910. Sold wife, Hattie Skirpon, into West Side resort.
Louis Degestro—Pandering—Judge Bruggemeyer. Sentence one year and fine $300.00, September 27, 1910.
Thomas Rich, alias Thomas Deluage—Pandering—Judge Bruggemeyer. Sentence six months and fine $300.00, September 28, 1910. Defendant wanted since March 2, 1910. Arrested September 27, 1910. Member same crowd as Ralph Armond, convicted April 8, 1910.
Albert Wagner—Pandering—Judge Going. Sentence six months and fine $300.00, October 22, 1910.
Paul Schoop—Pandering and Crime Against Public Morals —Judge Blake. Fine $200.00 and costs, November 4, 1910.
George Hirsch—Pandering—Judge Torrison. Sentence six months and fine $300.00, November 17, 1910.
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Harry Frank—Pandering—Judge Torrison. Sentence one year and fine $1,000.00, November 18, 1910.
Luella Williams, alias Thomas—Pandering—Judge Going Sentence six months and fine $300.00, November 23, 1910.
Sylvester J. Thomas—Fornication—Judge Bruggemeyer Sentence thirty days county jail, November 23, 1910. Lived with Luella Williams (above case).
Walter B. Olson—Fornication—Judge Bruggemeyer. Fines $50.00 and costs, November 28, 1910. Katherine —— 17 years old, sent to Juvenile Court.
Frank De Steffano arrested with brother Angelo for bringing Margaret ——from Buffalo, New York. Transferred to United States Court. Frank De Steffano fined $50.00, December, 1910.
Joshua O. Keller—Crime Against Public Morals—Judge Newcomer—Plea of Guilty—Fine $25.00 and costs, December .5, 1910.
Helen Weiss—Contributing to Child Delinquency—Judge Hires. Aided in procuring Emily O —— from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Fine $150.00 and costs, December 16, 1910.
Julia Van Bever—Crime Against Public Morals —Jud` Bruggemeyer. Aided in procuring Pearl S—— from St. Louis. Fine $25.00 and costs, December 2, 1910.
Julia Van Bever and Maurice Van Bever sentenced in November, 1909, were out on bond pending decision in Supreme Court of Illinois. Both sent to House of Correction for one year each, and pay $1,000.00 and costs, in February, 1911.
Harry Jocker—Pandering—Judge Hires—Sentence sir months and fine $500.00, December 31, 1910.
Jessie Frazier—Jocker's accomplice—Contributing to Child Delinquency—Judge Hires--Fine $100 and costs, December 31, 1910.
Harry Smith, alias Lasher—Pandering—Judge Hires—Hazel M—— refused to testify against Smith. Charge changed to Disorderly Conduct—Fine $10.00 and costs. December 14. 1910.
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Bernard Rosenberg—Crime Against Public Morals—Judge Newcomer—Brought Florence —— and Maude —— from New York—Fine $200.00 and costs, January 4, 1911.
Albert Goodman—same as Bernard Rosenberg above.
Mary Adams—Pandering—Judge Going—Sentence nine months and fine $500 and costs. January 19, 1911. Procured Welma H——.
Adam Lewichi—Pandering—Judge Fry—Jury disagreed January 10, 1911. Plea of Guilty to Crime Against Public Morals—Fine $200.00 and costs, March 8, 1911. Owned house Mary Adams procured girls for.
Helen Blewski—Keeper Lewichi's house--Judge Fry—Fine $50.00 and costs.
Martin Flannery—Pandering—Judge Going—Sentence one rear and fine $500.00 and costs, January 17, 1911.
Margaret Douglas, keeper, Etta Dixon, Opal Ford, Daisy Redd and Lena Johnson, inmates, Crime Against Nature—Judge Newcomer — All held to Grand Jury, February 3, 1911.
Floyd Williams—Pandering—Judge Hires—Sentence six mοnths and fine $300.00 and costs. Procured Freida —— from Michigan.
Richard Nugent—accomplice—fine $50.00 and costs, February 15, 1911.
Walter S. Radies — Contributing to Child Delinquency—Judge Newcomer—Fine $364.00 and costs, February 23, 1911. Collected earnings of wife in house of ill fame.
Sigmund Gudell—Pandering—Judge Sabath—Sentence six months and fine $300 and costs, February 10, 1911. Procured two girls.
John Nelson—Pandering—Judge Sabath—Sentence six months and fine $300.00 and costs, February 10, 1911. Same as above.
Joe Buckley—Pandering—Judge Himres—Put wife in house. Wife refused to testify. Charge changed to Disorderly Conduct—Fine $25.00 and costs, February 20, 1911.
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William Hutchinson—Contributing to Child Delinquency—Judge Scully—Sentence one year and fine $200.00 and costs. March 24, 1911. Procured Wilma ——for immoral life in s Louis, Missouri, and Chicago. Girl sent to Juvenile Court.
To the casual observer some of these fines and sentences may look small, yet it should be considered that under the Illinois Pandering Law the maximum sentence is one year and a fine : One Thousand Dollars. If it cannot be proved that the girls were put in houses of ill-fame, but were procured for lives of shame otherwise, the only charge under the Illinois law applicable is Crime Against Public Morals in which the maximum penalty is a fine of Two Hundred Dollars, unless the girls are under the age of eighteen years, when the charge may be made Contributing to Child Delinquency.
In one way the crime not being a felony in Illinois has brought about quicker convictions, as it was not necessary to have an indictment by the Grand Jury, which is usually a slow process and in the meantime witnesses are often intimidated or spirited away. It must be remembered also that Illinois was pioneer state to legislate against the panders, and public sentiment was not so strong against this crime as it is now. However, as will be seen in Chapter twenty-four, a higher penalty in Illinois is forthcoming.
While all these prosecutions were being instituted in Chicago, the people were being aroused by lectures and pamphlets.
It is not the purpose of this Committee composed of some cf Chicago's leading business men to make sensational raids. Neither is it the purpose to fight the poor forlorn girls who have become hardened to the life of shame, rather is it the purpose to systematically and thoroughly cut off the supply of girls being recruited for immoral lives, thereby reducing prostitution to a minimum. Then the recruits will be only those who seek such lives of their own free will. It is hoped that in time the latter will be greatly reduced by a campaign of education, raising the standard of morals and cultivating pure characters.
(203) All this will be accomplished only when all society everywhere joins in the plan for moral uplift.
The Committee is permanent, receiving excellent financial support. That is the unique feature. The denizens of the underworld and white slave traders have come to realize that this is not a momentary outburst of indignation, accompanied by useless resolutions condemning white slavery, but an ever present battering ram gradually and surely piercing through their fortress of vice. The walls are falling and soon the foundation will be undermined.
In the past these people only laughed at storms of protests s, d ministerial indignation meetings. They knew they could weather the storm which would soon blow over. But now they are face to face with a practical, well planned war of years, if necessary, backed by more money and influence than they can ever secure. They have spent thousands of dollars fighting, and now they are slowly giving up in despair, many of them, financially ruined. THIS IS THE MESSAGE FROM CHICAGO. ENTER THE FIGHT AGAINST THE WHITE SLAVE TRADERS IN A PRACTICAL SANE MANNER. IT WILL BE A LONG CAMPAIGN, BUT IT IS WORTH CHILE FROM A MORAL AND BUSINESS VIEW POINT.
Vice hurts the reputation of a city. No longer is Chicago a trading center for white slaves. Chicago is proud to send out the message that soon its streets will be safe for your daughters where no pander roams around seeking victims.
Chicago says, send your daughters there to shop and attend its schools and colleges, they will not be molested by the white save procurers.
Bring your families and rear them where white slavery is no more, and vice is reduced to the minimum.
Chicago believes that is good business enterprise. What do you think of it, sister cities of the world`? If this message appeals to you—get busy.
The Committee is fighting the supply—white slavery. Other organizations are fighting vice. Mayor Busse of Chicago ap-
(204) -pointed a Vice Commission to inquire into vice conditions in general, and make recommendations for civic moral betterment, & the chairman of this Commission is Dean Walter T. Sumner, of the Cathedral SS. Peter and Paul, who has since the year 1901 made a study of vice conditions in the west side levee district. This is all a part of the Chicago campaign. The Committee recommended the abolition of segregated vice districts and has discovered awful conditions to exist, but Chicago is equal to the task of cleaning them out.
WOMEN IN THE FIGHT.
The most significant phase of Chicago's campaign to clean up, is the part the women have taken. The League of Cook County Woman's Clubs, comprising over seventy clubs, including the Chicago Woman's Club, have organized a White Slave Traffic Committee. The chairman is Mrs. Freeman E. Brown and she is devoting a large share of her time to this work, lecturing and circulating literature, and under her able leadership the women's committee has greatly aided the men's committee.
It would be impossible to set forth here all the agencies that have united forces and are co-operating in this wonderful moment for a purer and better Chicago, so many and so important are they all.
The work of the Juvenile Protective League, the influence of Miss Jane Addams, the aid given by the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and scores of other organizations and persons, are contributing to this great plan for a greater Chicago. Thus the war for civic righteousness is on. Each day new battles are won. Chicago is proud of its achievements in dethroning the king of vice—white slavery—no longer does t market where girls' souls are bought and sold flourish, and the awful exposition of vice will soon be a thing of the past.
This is the White Slave Message from Chicago.
