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79521 L162
The Social Evil
in Chicago
A STUDY OF EXISTING CONDITIONS
WITH RECOMMENDATIONS BY
The Vice Commission of Chicago
A MUNICIPAL BODY APPOINTED
BY THE MAYOR AND THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CHICAGO AND SUBMITTED AS ITS
REPORT TO THE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL OF CHICAGO
. CHICAGO
GUNTHORP-WARREN PRINTING COMPANY
1911
Copyright 1911
By
The Vice Commission
of the
City of Chicago
First Edition, April 5th, 1911
Second Edition, April 30th, 1911
Third Edition, August 1st, 1911
C
THE VICE COMMISSION OF CHICAGO.
DEAN WALTER T. SUMNER,
Chairman ,
EDWIN W. SIMS,
W. L. BAUM, M. D.
DAVID BLAUSTEIN
REV. J. F. CALLAGHAN
ANNA DWYER, M. D.
W. A. EVANS, M. D.
REV. ALBERT EVERS
REV. F. W. GUNSAULUS, D. D.
W. W. HALLAM
ABRAM W. HARRIS, LL. D.
WM. HEALY, M. D.
ELLEN M. HENROTIN
REV. ABRAM HIRSCHBERG
PROF. CHARLES R. HENDERSON
REV. E. A. KELLY
REV. J. G. KIRCH ER
Louis O. KOHTZ
P. J. O'KEEFFE
JUDGE HARRY OLSON
JUDGE M. W. PINCKNEY
ALEXANDER ROBERTSON
JULIUS ROSENWALD
L. E. SCHMIDT, M. D.
BISHOP C. T. SHAFFER
EDWARD M. SKINNER
PROF. GRAHAM TAYLOR
PROF. WILLIAM I. THOMAS
PROF. HERBERT L. WILLETT
JOHN L. WHITMAN
GEORGE J. KNEELAND,
Director of Investigation.
NOTE. James M. Hyde, M. D., one of the original members of The Vice
Commission, died September 6, 1910. Prof. Charles R. Henderson was appointed
by the Mayor to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Dr. Hyde.
685081
CONTENTS.
Page.
Preface i
Outline of Study. ; 13
Resolution of Appreciation 21
Introduction and Summary 25
Proposed Ordinance 51
Recommendations 55
Chapter I. Existing Conditions in Chicago 69
Chapter II. The Social Evil and the Saloon 119
Chapter III. The Social Evil and the Police 143
Chapter IV. Sources of Supply 163
Chapter V. Child Protection and Education 235
Chapter VI. Rescue and Reform 261
Chapter VII. The Social Evil and its Medical Aspects 289
Appendices Text of Revised Statutes of Illinois and Ordinances
of the City of Chicago 309
Appendices Tables 357
Appendices Exhibits 365
Index , 393
PREFACE.
On January 31st, 1910, a meeting was held at the Central Y. M. C. A.
Building, Chicago, by the Church Federation composed of Clergy repre-
senting six hundred congregations in Chicago. The topic for dis-
cussion was the Social Evil Problem in Chicago, and Dean Sumner
was invited to read a paper on the subject. At its conclusion he
presented the following resolution :
"Resolved, that the Mayor of the City of Chicago be asked to appoint
a Commission made up of men and women who command the respect
and confidence of the public at large, this Commission to investigate
thoroughly the conditions as they exist. With this knowledge obtained,
let it map out such a course, as in its judgment, will bring about some
relief from the frightful conditions which surround us. Taking this
report as a basis, let us enlist the support of every civic, protective,
philanthropic, social, commercial and religious body in the city to carry
out the plans suggested. If the present administration feels that it can-
not subscribe to such a plan, make the report the basis of a pledge from
the political parties at the next election and make it the basis for an
election issue. But first get the plan. The city press will be back
of any sane movement to improve present conditions. The Church
certainly is. Social settlements have been agitating and endeavoring
to reach some decision. The general public is in a mood to listen to
such conclusions as such a Commission would reach."
This resolution was unanimously adopted and a committee from the
Federation of Churches was appointed to call upon the Mayor, and
present it to him for his consideration. This committee was composed
of the following named gentlemen:
Prof. Herbert L. Willett, University of Chicago.;
Rev. J. A. Vance, Pastor of the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church ;
Rev. Smith T. Ford, Pastor of the Englewood Baptist Church,
and President of the Church Federation Council;
Rev. Frank D. Burhans, Pastor of the Washington Park Congre-
gational Church, and Vice-President of the Church Federation
Council.
Prof. Benjamin L. Hobson, Secretary of The McCormick Theo-
logical Seminary.
As a result of a conference with this Committee, the Mayor, through
2 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
his Secretary, transmitted the following letter to Dean Walter T.
Sumner, under date of March 5, 1910 :
"DEAR SIR :
I am directed by the Mayor to say that he has appointed you a
member and temporary chairman of the so-called Vice Commission
which he has been asked to appoint, and with the purpose of which
you are, of course, familiar. As Chairman of said Commission
it will be incumbent upon you, of course, to issue the call for the
first meeting of said Committee.
The members are as follows :
Baum, Dr. W. L., Chicago Medical Society;
Blaustein, David, Superintendent, Chicago Hebrew Institute;
Callaghan, Rev. James F., Pastor, Saint Malachy's Roman Cath-
olic Church ;
Dwyer, Dr. Anna, President, Mary Thompson Hospital ;
Evans, Dr. W. A., Health Commissioner;
Evers, Rev. Albert, Pastor, Saint Boniface's Roman Catholic
Church ;
Gunsaulus, Dr. Frank W., President, Armour Institute;
Hallam, W. W., Corresponding Secretary, Chicago Society of
Social Hygiene;
Harris, Dr. Abram W., President, Northwestern University;
Healy, Dr. William, President, Psychopathic Institute;
Hyde, Dr. James M., Professor, Rush Medical College ;
Henrotin, Mrs. Ellen M., Federation of Women's Clubs;
Hirschberg, Rev. Abram, Rabbi, North Chicago , Hebrew Con-
gregation ;
Kelly, Rev. E. A., Pastor, Saint Anne's Roman Catholic Church;
Kircher, Rev. John G., Pastor, German Evangelical Church;
Kohtz, Louis O., Agent, Aetna Fire Insurance Company;
O'Keeffe, P. J., Lawyer.
Olson, Judge Harry, Chief Justice, Municipal Courts;
Pinckney, Judge Merritt W., Judge, Juvenile Court;
Robertson, Alexander, Vice-President, Continental National Bank ;
Rosenwald, Julius, President, Sears, Roebuck & Company;
Schmidt, Dr. Louis E., Professor, Northwestern Medical College;
Shaffer, Bishop C. T., African Methodist Episcopal Church;
Sims, Edwin W., United States District Attorney;
Skinner, Edward M., Association of Commerce;
Sumner, The Very Reverend Walter T., Dean, Episcopal Cathedral
SS Peter and Paul ;
Taylor, Professor Graham, President, Chicago Commons ;
Thomas, Professor William I., University of Chicago;
Willett, Professor Herbert L., University of Chicago ;
Whitman, John L., Superintendent, House of Correction.
I also enclose a copy of the statement sent by Mayor Busse
to the press in connection with appointment of the Commission.
Yours very truly,
BERNARD J. MULLANEY,
Secretary to the Mayor.
PREFACE
MAYOR'S STATEMENT TO THE PRESS.
A short time ago I received a communication from representa-
tives of the Federated Protestant Churches, calling my attention to
vice in Chicago, and requesting that a Commission be appointed
to study the subject, with a view to determining a plan of control
as well as considering the moral and physical harm which results
from vice.
These are the most perplexing questions with which modern
civilization is confronted. Since Chicago has been a city, we
have drifted as regards this question. In this we have not differed
from other American cities.
I think we can fairly assume that our vice problem is exactly
like that of any American city. To exploit publicly the details
of it, can serve no useful end and such exploitation is not the pur-
pose of this commission proposition. On the other hand exploita-
tion may do much harm by leading the uninformed to believe
that conditions exist here which are of recent origin or which are
worse than exist in other American cities.
As a matter of fact, the conditions incident to the vice problem
in Chicago, a problem as old as the city itself are better than
they have ever been within present day memory. This I think
will be conceded by all who are fully acquainted with the facts.
But we all want still better conditions if they can be had.
Many years ago, the authorities of the city attempted to localize
vice in certain districts of the city. From time to time, property
holders and heads of families have objected to their neighbors,
thereupon these establishments have been widely scattered over
town. The various neighborhoods into which they have moved
have speedily secured enough of influence to drive them back in-
to the neighborhoods from which they have been driven.
Executives have acted, in doing this, with the best of motives
and often times with the advice of Ministers of the Gospel, and
other men of character. The only criticism that can be offered is
that none of these moves was based on careful investigation and
far-seeing planning. Our statute books State and Municipal
are crowded with laws on the subject. Quite generally such laws
have been ignored, since every one knew that they were not based
on careful thought, either by trained students or investigators,
or men closely in touch with the situation; rather have they grown
out of temporary outbursts of sentiment.
I was informed that Detroit, Michigan, and New York City
have experimented along certain lines. Many European cities have
tried certain plans. The Japanese government has proceeded along
certain lines. Investigation will probably discover many other
attempts at a solution of these questions.
We can as a basis agree, I believe, that the practices as to vice
in Chicago have been of long continuance ; and that in this respect
4 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
we are no better and no worse than other American or European
cities. These conditions are with us. To pretend that they do not
exist is hypocrisy, far-reaching in its harmful effects.
These premises being accepted, we find there are many questions
springing from them to which thinking men and women, careful
students of society and government, are giving deepest thought.
Such questions are:
Should the existence of the "social evil" and of the men and
women connected with it, be ignored ?
Should vice be segregated? If so, what would be the method
of maintaining control of segregation districts?
What is the best method of controlling, as to communicable dis-
ease, those who make practice of vice their trade, and preventing
spread of disease amongst innocent men, women and children as
well as among practitioners of vice?
What treatment of vice as a disease of society is best as a
protection against crimes other than vice?
What treatment of vice as a disease of society, is best for all
concerned ?
I am sure that we have men and women amongst us who can
help us in finding a slow and partial solution for these questions,
pending perfection in the men and women who make up society.
We will welcome such help. I am sure that all over the world
governments will welcome the results of these deliberations. I
therefore respectfully appoint the following as a commission on the
problems of vice, requesting them to deliberate on the question
and to present the results of their deliberations for the consid-
eration of this community and the guidance of those charged with
administration of the municipal government."
On March 14, 1910, the Mayor appointed Bishop C. T. Shaffer, of
the African M. E. Church, as a member of the Commission.
ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMISSION.
During the regular meeting of the Commission on March 15, 1910,
held in the Public Library Building, the temporary officers, Chairman,
Dean Walter T. Sumner, Secretary, Edwin W. Sims, were made per-
manent officers of the Commission.
At this meeting the following resolution was submitted :
"RESOLVED, That there be an Executive Committee, consisting
of nine members, seven of whom shall be appointed by the Chair-
man of the Commission, the Chairman and the Secretary to be
ex-officio members of the Executive Committee ;
"That it shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to ar-
range a program of study and investigation, divide the Commission
into committees, assign to each committee the subject to be in-
PREFACE O
vestigated by it, and from time to time consider and make recom-
mendations as to the methods and disposition of the work of the
Commission."
This resolution was unanimously adopted.
Subsequently the Chairman appointed the members of the Executive
Committee .
This committee appointed the following sub-committees:
Committee on Existing Conditions in Chicago.
Committee on Social Evil and Saloon.
Committee on Social Evil and Police.
Committee on Sources of Supply.
Committee on Social Evil and Crime.
Committee on Child Protection and Education.
Committee on Rescue and Reform.
Committee on Literature and Methods.
Committee on Medical Questions.
Committee on Law and Legislation.
At the regular meeting of the Commission on May 5, 1910, a motion
prevailed that the permanent name of the Commission should be the
"Vice Commission."
A committee was appointed to appear before the Committee on
Finance of the City Council on May 6, 1910, and request that an
appropriation be made for the work of the Vice Commission.
At the regular meeting of the City Council on Monday, June 27,
1910, Alderman Foell moved to proceed to the consideration of the
report of the Committee on Finance concerning an appropriation for
the expenses of the "Vice Commission," deferred and published May 9,
1910, page 143.
The motion prevailed.
Alderman Foell presented an ordinance creating a Commission of
the City Government to be known as the "Vice Commission," and ap-
propriating the sum of $5,000.00 for the expenses of the said Commis-
sion during the year 1910.
Alderman Foell moved to substitute the said ordinance for the ordi-
nance recommended in the report.
The motion prevailed and the said substitute ordinance was passed
by yeas and nays as follows :
Yeas Kenna, Coughlin, Shu felt, Foreman, Pringle, Dailey,
Richert, Sheahan, Long, Parker, Merriam, Emerson, Derpa, Egan,
Fick, Scully, Vavricek, Cullerton, Danisch, Zimmer, Fulton, Buck-
ley, Lawley, Lucas, Utpatel, Beilfuss, Kunz, Koraleski, Sitts, Dever,
6 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
Healy, Powers, Bowler, Stewart, Murray, Taylor, Foell, Hauler,
Clettenberg, Britten, Haderlein, Dunn, Thomson, Lipps, Rein-
berg, Capp, Wilson, Littler, Twigg, Mueller, McDermott, Mclner-
ney, Mahoney, Kearns, Bergen, Fisher, Rea, Reading, Block, Dona-
hoe, Clark, Forsberg 62.
Nays None.
The following is the said ordinance as passed:
AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE VICE COMMISSION.
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Chicago:
SECTION 1. That there is hereby created a commission of the
city government to be known as the "Vice Commission," which
shall consist of thirty members to be appointed by the Mayor.
SECTION 2. The Mayor shall appoint a chairman of the Com-
mission from among its members. The chairman of the Com-
mission shall call meetings of the Commission whenever he may
see fit and whenever he shall be requested, in writing, so to do
by any five members of the Commission.
SECTION 3. It shall be the duty of the Vice Commission and
the members thereof to inquire into conditions existing within the
limits of the city with reference to vice of various forms including
all practices which are physically and morally debasing and de-
grading, and which affect the moral and physical welfare of the
inhabitants of the city.
The Commission shall from time to time transmit to the Mayor
and the City Council, a written report of existing conditions, as it
may find them, respecting vice, with such recommendations as it
shall deem advisable for the suppression thereof.
SECTION 4. That there be and is hereby appropriated from
miscellaneous receipts for the year 1910 the sum of five thousand
dollars ($5,000.00) for the payment of the necessary expenses of
the Vice Commission to be paid out by the Comptroller upon the
written order of the chairman of the Commission.
SECTION 5. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect
from and after its passage.
At the regular meeting of the Vice Commission on June 28, 1910,
it was reported that the Finance Committee of the City Council favored
granting the Vice Commission funds, the question had arisen, how-
ever, as to the legality of such action by the City Council with respect
to the Commission as then constituted, the Corporation Counsel ex-
pressed the opinion that there must be, in order to make such action
lawful, the appointment of the Commission by the Mayor must be ap-
proved by the City Council; that he understood the objectionable points
had been overcome and the funds should be voted by the City Council
at their next meeting.
PREFACE 7
At the regular meeting of the City Council on Tuesday, May 5, 1910,
the following communication was read:
"MAYOR'S OFFICE,
CHICAGO, July 5, 1910.
To the Honorable, the City Council:
GENTLEMEN: In accordance with the power vested in me by
an ordinance of your Honorable Body, passed June 27, 1910 (page
942 of the Proceedings), I hereby appoint the following gentlemen
members of the commission, to be known as the Vice Commission,
and ask the concurrence of your Honorable Body :
Dean Walter T. Sumner,
Dr. W. L. Baum,
David Blaustein,
Rev. J. F. Callaghan,
Dr. Anna Dwyer,
Dr. W. A. Evans,
Rev. Albert Evers,
Rev. Dr. Frank Gunsaulus,
W. W. Hallam,
Dr. Abraham W. Harris,
Dr. Wm. Healy,
Mrs. Ellen M. Henrotin,
Rev. Abraham Hirschberg,
Dr. James M. Hyde,
Rev. E. A. Kelly,
Rev. John G. Kircher,
Louis O. Kohtz,
P. J. O'Keeffe,
Hon. Harry Olson,
Judge M. W. Pinckney,
Alexander Robertson,
Julius Rosenwald,
Dr. Louis E. Schmidt,
Bishop C. T. Shaffer,
Hon. Edwin W. Sims,
Edward M. Skinner,
Prof. Graham Taylor,
Prof. Wm. I. Thomas,
Prof. Herbert L. Willett,
Hon. John L. Whitman.
Respectfully,
(Signed) FRED A. BUSSE,
Mayor."
At the regular meeting of the City Council on Monday, July 11, 1910,
Alderman Foell presented an ordinance amending an ordinance passed
June 27, 1910, creating the "Vice Commission."
Unanimous consent was given for the consideration of the said ordi-
nance.
8
The following is the said ordinance as passed:
"Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Chicago:
SECTION 1. That an ordinance heretofore passed by this Coun-
cil on June 27th, 1910, creating a Vice Commission, and shown
at page 942 of the Council Proceedings of that date, be and the
same is hereby amended by adding at the end of Section 4 in
the left hand column the following: 'and the Comptroller shall
set up this appropriation as Account No. 45 and under the proper
letters designating the standard accounts in accordance with the
Appropriation bill.'
SECTION 2. This ordinance shall be in force and effect from
and after its passage."
On July 15, 1910, the Vice Commission secured offices and began
active work with Mr. George J. Kneeland in charge.
On July 18, 1910, the chairman announced the resignation of
Bishop William F. McDowell, on account of absence from the country.
During the summer the business of the Commission was attended
to by the Chairman and Executive Committee.
At the regular meeting on September 28, 1910, the Chairman an-
nounced that the Mayor had appointed Professor Charles R. Hen-
derson of the Chicago University as a member of the Vice Commis-
sion to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Dr. James M. Hyde.
On motion the chairman appointed a committee to draw up appro-
priate resolutions commemorating the death of Dr. Hyde.
These resolutions were submitted at the regular meeting of the Vice
Commission on October 25, 1910, and adopted as follows :
"WHEREAS, our fellow member, James Nevins Hyde,
having been taken from us by death,
BE IT RESOLVED by us, the Vice Commission of Chicago,
sitting in general session, that we hereby express our sense of
deep sorrow at our own loss of anticipated counsel and advice,
and of our earnest sympathy with the family of the deceased;
AND, FURTHERMORE, that we order this resolution to
be inscribed upon our records and a copy of it forwarded to
the7amily."
PREFACE 9
In addition to the regular meetings of the Commission, ninety-
eight conferences were held during a period of six weeks. These
conferences were arranged for by letters of invitation and by press
notices. As a result representatives appeared before the Commis-
sion from philanthropic, civic, social and reform and business organ-
izations ; among these were the following :
Anti-Cigarette League Hull House
Anti-Saloon League Immigrant Protective League
Baptists Ministers' Union Juvenile Court
Chicago Deaconess' Home Juvenile Protective Association
Citizens' Association Legal Aid Society
Chicago Law and Order League Lincoln Center
Central Howard Association Law Enforcement League of the
Congregational Ministers' Union Northwest Side
Catholic Abstinence Union of II- " Methodist Brotherhood of Chi-
linois cago
Chicago Refuge for Girls Midnight Mission
Chicago Rescue Mission Northwestern University Settle-
Douglas Neighborhood Club ment
Brewers' Exchange Salvation Army Maternity Home
South Park Improvement Asso- Retail Liquor Dealers' Protective
ciation. Association.
Florence Crittenton Anchorage
Prominent citizens were also heard.
Inspectors of Police, Captains, Lieutenants and Patrolmen were like-
wise heard in conference.
At various times interviews were held with keepers and inmates
of houses.
At a regular meeting of the Commission held January 5, 1911, the
chairman appointed a committee to appear before the Finance Com-
mittee of the City Council to ask for an appropriation of five thou-
sand dollars to carry on the work of the Commission for the year
1911.
The petition of the committee was granted and the sum of five
thousand dollars was set aside in the annual budget for 1911, for
the use of the Vice Commission.
10 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
On April 5th, 1911, the report of the Vice Commission was pre-
sented to the Mayor and City Council of the City of Chicago and the
following action was taken:
The Clerk presented the following communication submitted by the
Vice Commission:
CHICAGO, ILL., April 5, 1911.
Hon. Fred A. Busse,
Mayor of Chicago, and the
Honorable, the City Council,
SIRS:
The Chicago Vice Commission, authorized by ordinance of the City
Council of the City of Chicago passed June 27, 1910, and appointed
by you under date of July 5, 1910, transmits herewith, in compliance
with the terms of the ordinance, its report on existing conditions re-
specting vice, together with its recommendations for the suppression
thereof.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) WALTER T. SUMNER,
Chairman.
(Signed) EDWIN W. SIMS,
Secretary.
Alderman Foell moved that the report transmitted with the foregoing
communication be placed on file, and that the said Commission be con-
tinued in existence until June 1st, 1911, or until such time thereafter
as might be necessary to finish its outstanding business. The motion
prevailed.
Alderman Foell thereupon presented the following order, which was,
on motion, duly passed :
Ordered: That the Vice Commission be authorized to print, pub-
lish and distribute such number of copies of its report as the appro-
priation already made will warrant and that it be further authorized
to print, publish and distribute such extra copies of its report as the
Commission may deem necessary, provided that the publication of
such extra copies be without expense to the City.
Outline of Study
Made by the
Commission.
OUTLINE OF STUDY MADE BY THE COMMISSION:
I. COMMITTEE ON EXISTING CONDITIONS.
1. Houses.
a. Number.
b. Vocation.
c. Type.
d. Owners.
e. Keepers.
f. Number, age, previous occupation of inmates.
g. Price, character and amount of service demanded.
'. h. Sanitary conditions.
i. Character of neighborhood.
How are police rules obeyed.
What are the police relations to the resorts.
1. Social allurements in resorts,
1. Music.
2. Obscene shows.
3. Liquor.
4. Dances, etc.
in. Medical inspection in resorts at present time.
n. Extent of venereal diseases.
o. Public and private graft.
p. Robbing of patrons.
q. The "Cadet" problem.
r. Extent of use of cocaine and drugs at present time.
s. Method of advertising.
2. Assignation houses.
a. Number.
b. Location.
c. Character of neighborhood.
d. Methods of advertising.
e. Sale of liquors.
3. Hotels.
a. Number.
b. Location.
c. Prices for rooms.
d. Prices of women who solicit for these places.
4. Lake Boats.
5. Picnics.
6. "Kept" women.
7. Manicure parlors.
8. Massage parlors.
9. Turkish baths.
10. Dance Halls.
11. Tenement Houses.
13
14 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
II. COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL EVIL AND SALOON.
1. How the saloon makes for prostitution.
a. Saturday night dance.
b. Saloon dance.
c. Vaudeville and music in the saloons.
d. Women in the saloons.
e. Solicitation.
2. Co-operation between the saloon and resorts.
a. Resorts with entrances through saloons.
b. Bed houses and saloons.
c. Midnight closing.
d. The sale of liquor in resorts, sociability; physical in-
fluence.
e. Joint ownership between saloons and resorts.
f. Saloon keepers and prostitutes.
g. Resort runners in saloons.
III. COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL EVIL AND POLICE.
1. Efficiency of Police under present conditions.
2. Records.
a. Character of records desirable to be kept:
1. Owners of property.
2. Houses.
3. Keepers.
4. Inmates.
b. Should police officers be permitted to retain such rec-
ords, or
1. Should they be filed at headquarters as official matter.
c. Advisability of establishing a bureau at headquarters for
records of entire city, and from which point, and
through which bureau a more or less complete control
of the situation might be had.
3. Inspection.
a. Should police inspection and surveillance of resorts in-
clude a room to room visit at unstated periods, to
1. Search for liquor.
2. Examine into sanitary conditions.
3. Collect data for reports.
4. Listen to complaints.
5. See that rules and regulations of Department are
carried out.
4. Protection, question of:
a. Police protection of inmates and keepers against dis-
turbance of the order of the places.
b. Should resorts be guaranteed police protection, when
they comply with rules and regulations. The word
"protection" used in its legitimate sense, and not in
OUTLINE OP STUDY 15
the sense of guaranteeing immunity under any circum-
stances whatever.
c. Preventing tribute to police.
5. Police detail, should the same police officers either in plain
clothes or uniform be permitted:
a. To remain in any district for more than a brief period
of time,
b. Should police rules and regulations be framed and dis-
played in each room of a resort.
COMMITTEE ON SOURCES OF SUPPLY.
1. How much slavery exists among women in Chicago?
2. What is the extent of the "cadet" system; runners?
3. What is the extent of fake marriages?
4. Prostitute's husbands.
5. How are girls secured abroad from what state or country
are they drawn?
6. How are they secured?
7. How are they held?
8. What does the girl get?
9. What does the house get?
10. How much service must she render?
11. How do girls escape?
12. What can be done to stop the importation of girls from
abroad ? From the city ? From the country ?
13. What can be done to prevent the traffic in girls?
14. What can be done to furnish a way of escape for girls?
15. What is the remedy for the "cadet," the fake marriage
situation, and the practices of other deceit, trickery and
f rattd ?
COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL EVIL AND CRIME.
1. Contempt for law on the part of those promoting the Social
Evil.
2. Relation of prostitutes to habits,
a. Whiskey.
b. Morphine.
c. Cocaine.
d. Murder.
e. Theft.
3. Are resorts necessary to prevent rape, and violence
against children and innocent women?
4. The prostitute's man.
5. The psychological and moral effect of prostitution on the
neighborhood.
6. The criminal history of the old prostitute.
7. Remedies.
a. Emasculation.
b. Permanent confinement.
c. Parole system.
16 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
VI. COMMITTEE ON CHILD PROTECTION AND EDUCATION.
1. Lectures to school children; to boys and girls, offices and
stores.
2. Sex hygiene.
3. Venereal diseases.
4. Improper Literature.
5. The stage.
6. Children near sporting houses.
7. Children in relation to segregated prostitution.
8. Children and youths employed in resorts.
VII. COMMITTEE ON RESCUE AND REFORM.
1. Houses for reformed prostitutes.
2. Work for the reformed prostitutes.
3. Plan ior getting girls out of debt and out of houses of pros-
titution.
4. Hospitals for sick prostitutes.
5. Venereal disease hospitals.
6. Maternity homes for pregnant prostitutes; for girls illegiti-
mately pregnant, to see that they do not fall into houses of
prostitutes.
7. Homes for children of prostitutes.
VIII. COMMITTEE ON LITERATURE AND METHODS.
1. Literature :
a. All literature obtainable in all languages.
b. Seek co-operation of some research library who handle
such literature.
c. Furnish all the members of the Commission with list of
literature covering the various phases of the subject
from time to time, and where such literature may be
found.
d. Statistics as to prostitution in relation to crime; to
venereal diseases, to illegitimacy.
2. Methods :
a. Methods employed in other cities and abroad.
b. Methods proposed but not adopted.
IX. COMMITTEE ON MEDICAL QUESTIONS.
1. The harm done by venereal diseases, directly; indirectly.
For example, in relation to blindness and sterility.
2. The extent of venereal disease among professional prostitues,
among casual protitutes; among "kept" women; among
men; among children; among innocent women, and in
children's hospitals.
OUTLINE OP STUDY 17
3. Remedies.
a. Preventive medication.
b. Silver in the eyes of newly born children.
c. Sanitation in houses of prostitution.
d. The registration of venereal disease.
e. Registration of prostitutes.
4. Medical aspects of hospital relief of venereal cases : Prosti-
tutes, men, women and children.
5. Laboratory measures for the control of syphilis, gonorrhoea.
6. Inheritance.
7. Environment.
8. Sexual history, especially with relation to conception.
9. Medical aspects of emasculation of criminals.
a. The question of defectives, especially degenerates and
sexual perverts.
10. The prevention of conception by prostitutes.
11. Sterility among prostitutes.
12. The illegitimate child; its chance of living.
13. The registration of maternity hospitals, homes and baby
farms.
14. Psychology of the system.
X. COMMITTEE ON LAW AND LEGISLATION.
1. The laws of other countries in relation to prostitution.
2. The underlying principles of police power devise a legal
basis for a control which probably will conflict with the
lines of decisions of the courts of this country.
3. Methods suggested will be referred to this committee in order
that this committee may make them conform to the broad
principles of police power for which the Commission may
stand; especially, that they investigate present laws which
should be repealed.
4. New laws to be enacted by the Legislature.
5. Treatment of children as witnesses.
6. A Commission for the control of prostitution with a certain
amount of Legislative power.
7. Laws controlling segregation, regulation and registration.
8. Laws making venereal disease a contagious disease, and under
this provision transferring the entire question to health
authorities.
9. Laws with reference to the legitimatizing of the illegitimate
child.
10. Hygiene and sanitation.
11. Laws to prevent the detention of prostitutes for debt.
Resolution
of
Appreciation.
RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION.
At the regular meeting of the Commission when the final vote on
its report was taken, the following resolution was unanimously
adopted with instructions that it be spread on the records of the Com-
mission and be printed in its report.
BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the Vice Commission of Chi-
cago hereby express their high appreciation of the services of their
executive officers, Dean Walter T. Sumner, Chairman, and Edwin
W. Sims, Secretary.
Dean Sumner has presided over the many sessions of the Commis-
sion and its sub-committees with unvarying courtesy and the best of
good fellowship. Throughout the prolonged and trying inquiries his
steadfastness and patience have been equal to the ordeal. In col-
lecting the voluminous and complex data gathered and canvassed and
in formulating in large part the text of the report he has proved him-
self to be adequate to the exacting task both in constructive ability
and in his spirit of concession to the opinions of his colleagues.
Mr. Sims' legal ability and experience in the discovery, punish-
ment and prevention of crimes against immigrant women, as prosecut-
ing officer of the United States Court have been of invaluable
service throughout the work of the Commission. His judicial judg-
ment, tempered by warm sympathy and working through self-ex-
acting co-operative effort with every phase of the Commission's in-
quiry and deliberation, has contributed valuably to the thoroughness
and practical conclusions of this difficult and delicate inquiry.
To the ability and spirit of their Chairman and Secretary, the
Commission owes much of its ability to render a unanimous report.
21
Introduction
and
Summary.
CONSTANT AND PERSISTENT REPRESSION OF PROSTITU-
TION TEE IMMEDIATE METHOD: ABSOLUTE ANNI-
HILATION THE ULTIMATE IDEAL.
Such is the recommendation of this Commission. That it
may be put in force effectually and unremittingly we fur-
ther recommend :
FIRST: THE APPOINTMENT OF A MORALS COMMISSION.
SECOND: THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MORALS COURT.
THE honor of Chicago, the fathers and mothers of her children.
the physical and moral integrity of the future generation de-
mand that she repress ptihlir prostirntinn.
Prostitution is pregnant with disease, a disease infecting not only
the guilty, but contaminating the innocent wife and child in the home
with sickening certainty almost inconceivable; a disease to be feared
with a^greqf horror as a leprous plague; a disease scattering misery
and leaving in its wake sterility, insanity, paralysis, the
Jjlinded_ey_es of little babes, the twisted limbs of deformed children,
degradation, physical rot* and mental decay.
That there must be constant repression of this curse on human
society is the conclusion of this Commission after months of ex-
haustive study and investigation a study which has included the
academic with the practical; moral ideals with human weaknesses;
honesty of administration with corruption; the possible with th im-
possible. It has sought to meet all question fairly; it has made every
effort to work with intelligence ; it has kept constantly in mind that to
offer a contribution of any value such an offering must be, first,
moral; second, reasonable and practical; third, possible under the
Constitutional powers of our Courts; fourth, that which will square
with the public conscience of the American people.
We believe that Chicago has a public conscience which, when
aroused, cannot be easily stilled a conscience built upon moral and
25
26 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
ethical teachings of the purest American type a conscience which
when aroused to the truth will instantly rebel against the Social Evil
in all its phases.
Some who have a superficial knowledge of the "Continental System"
of segregation and regulation based on a cursory reading or surface
investigation might bring it forward as a method of relief. One has
but to read scientific works on the subject; to study the reports of
international conferences held in Europe, and to hear the findings
of careful investigators to see the unreliability and futility of such a
system, and to learn of its failures as a permanent institution wherever
it has been undertaken in this country or abroad. The Commission
is convinced that the so-called System has proved itself degenerating
and ineffective.
Furthermore the overwhelming majority of the citizens of Chi-
cago, and the fathers and mothers of her children will never coun-
tenance the recognition or legalization of a commercial business
which spells only ruin to the race. It is, therefore, incumbent upon
us to take a bold stand against this curse of society. It behooves us
to raise social life to the highest possible standard of righteousness
to teach the youth of our land loyalty and honor to womanhood.
The immensity of the Social Evil problem is no excuse for us to
stand idly by and do nothing in an attempt to solve it. The sin of
impurity may not be cured in a day, a year, or perhaps in genera-
tions. But that prostitution as a commercialized business or any-
thing akin to it, is necessary, can never be conceded. We assume that
by earnest, wise, united, and persistent effort on the part of indi-
viduals and organized groups in society, we can do something how
much we can only discover by trial. To say we can do nothing may
be left to the morally inert; of course, they can do nothing but
evil.
As plagues, epidemics and contagious diseases old as the world
have given way before the onslaught of medical science; as slavery
in this country has been rooted out by the gradually growing con-
viction of an American conscience; so may the Social Evil be re-
pressed proportionately as the American people grow in righteousness
and in the knowledge of this curse, which is more blasting than any
plague or epidemic; more terrible than any black slavery that ever
existed in this or any other country; more degenerating to the morals
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 27
id ideals of the nation than all other agencies against decency com-
ined.
We may enact laws ; we may appoint Commissions ; we may abuse
ivic administrations for their handling of the problem ; but the prob-
m will remain just as long as the public conscience is dead to the
sue or is indifferent to its solution.
The law is only so powerful as the public opinion which supports
. It is the habit of Americans when they make laws to insist on
:hical ideals. They will not compromise. They have been en-
Dwed, however, with a fine ability to be inconsistent, and having once
eclared their ideals to find no difficulty, when it comes to the ad-
linistration of the laws, to allow officials to ignore them; to do
lings not in the laws ; and to substitute a practice which is a de facto
.w, though technically illegal. This is the basis of graft and the
reatest evil in Municipal government.
Commissions may be appointed. However valuable their findings
tid recommendations may be, unless the public insist no changes in
le situation will obtain.
The Social Evil in its worst phases may be repressed. So long as
icre is lust in the hearts of men it will seek out some method of ex-
ression. Until the hearts of men are changed we can hope for no
bsolute annihilation of the Social Evil. Religion and education alone
in correct the greatest curse which today rests upon mankind. For
lis there is a mighty work for agencies and institutions of righteous-
ess in our land.
With these facts in mind the Commission has squarely faced the
roblem. It has tried to do its duty by placing before the public
ic true situation in Chicago. It presents recommendations carefully
nd conscientiously drawn. Its contribution to the subject of the
ocial Evil has to do most particularly with Chicago and her prob-
:ms. The Commission entertains the hope, however, that its find-
igs, its discussions, and its recommendations may help other similar
lunicipal Commissions in their work and deliberations. The first
'ommission to be appointed by a municipality and financed from the
'ity Treasury, it has begun by blazing the way. Other Commissions
r ith the experience and knowledge gained from this first municipal
ffort may go farther and present greater contributions to the sub-
net. We sincerely hope that such will be the case.
28 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
Attitude of Commission. Throughout this report the Commission
has made every effort to publish only such results as would give the
municipality a correct and unexaggerated idea of conditions. At all
times, while honest in the statement of conditions, it has assumed
an ultra-conservative attitude in its criticisms. It believes that only
through such an honest and conservative study can the true situation
be given to the citizens of the city. Its statements, therefore, are
not made to bring discredit upon the city. Loyalty is a prime requi-
site of good citizenship. In that loyalty which is based upon a
thorough knowledge of its conditions and without seeking to con-
demn other cities, the Commission desires to state its belief that, in
contrast, Chicago is far better proportionately to its population than
most of the other large cities of the country. This statement is made
after a careful study of conditions in fifty-two of the largest cities
of the country a study based on the replies received from, first, the
City Clerk, second, the head of the Health Department, and third,
Superintendent of Police in these fifty-two municipalities. In addition
personal investigation by the Commission was conducted in some
fifteen of the largest of these cities. Much data is in the possession
of the Commission showing the conditions existing elsewhere upon
which to base its conclusions.
Criticism. The Commission has refrained from unnecessary criti-
cism of public officials. Present day conditions are better in respect
to open vice than the city has known in many years. But they are
by no means a credit to Chicago. However, this must be remem-
bered; they are not unique in the history of the city. Present day
public officials are no more lax in their handling of the problem than
their predecessors for years; as a matter of fact, the regulations re-
specting flagrant and open prostitution under the present police ad-
ministration are more strict in tone and repressive in execution than
have been issued or put in operation for many years. Public opinion
has made no united demand for a change in the situation. The Com-
mission feels, therefore, that all public officials who are equally re-
sponsible for the present conditions are equally open to criticism.
Further, that the greatest criticism is due the citizens of Chicago, first,
for the constant evasion of the problem, second, for their ignorance
and indifference to the situation, and third, for their lack of united
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 29
effort in demanding a change in the intolerable conditions as they now
exist.
The Police. No one will doubt that in many instances such an
attitude on the part of the public and their officials leads to the break-
ing down of the morale of the police. But to make the sweeping
statement of general inefficiency and dishonesty would be unjust to a
large number of men endeavoring to do their duty. The Commission
believes, therefore, that the large majority of the police are honest and
efficient ; it believes that some are neither honest nor efficient. For the
former it has the warmest praise for the latter it has the most se-
vere condemnation. If the citizens cannot depend upon the men ap-
pointed to protect their property, and to maintain order, then chaos
and disorganization resulting in vice and crime must follow. In the
interest of good government and a competent police regime, and in
justice to the honest and conscientious men of the department who
desire to do their duty, the dishonest and incompetent should be
driven out most speedily. For the type of officer who frequents
saloons and drinks openly with prostitutes, who acts as a guide to
houses of assignation, and who recommends certain women for the
purpose of prostitution for this type of police officer Chicago has no
place.
As above stated, the Commission does not condemn the personnel
of the police as a whole, but it does condemn the System a System
which has grown notoriously inactive in the handling of the Social
Evil, partly because of the tolerative attitude of the citizens of "Chi-
cago, and partly because of its own desire to perpetuate itself as a
System: A System which makes it easier for the police to accept
graft from the tremendous profits reaped from the sale in women's
bodies than to honestly do their duty. All credit to the great body
of men who have withstood these temptations, and who some day will
find a condition where their courage will be amply rewarded.
A Word of Appreciation. To the Honorable Fred A. Busse,
Mayor of Chicago, belongs the honor and distinction of having ap-
pointed this, the first Municipal Commission to study the exist-
ing conditions of a great city respecting vice and to report such rec-
ommendations as it may deem advisable for the suppression thereof.
This fact in itself speaks more forcibly than any mere words of appre-
30 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
ciation which this Commission might offer for the honor and privi-
lege extended to its members.
Credit likewise belongs to the members of the City Council in that
they unanimously concurred in the recommendation of the Mayor and
appropriated the funds used in the preparation and the printing of
this report.
Reports of Committees. The plan of work as outlined in the be-
ginning of the Commission's study was to give certain subjects to
different Committees asking them to inquire into their subjects and
report to the Commission as a whole. It was found, however, that
the subjects overlapped and as a result the different Committees re-
ported on subjects assigned to other Committees. It has been neces-
sary, therefore, to classify this material and bring it all under proper
headings. This has meant a re-arrangement of the reports, so that
the separate chapters are not the work of any special Committee, but
a compilation of the work of several Committees. In other words
the full report stands as the report of the Commission as a whole,
and no one chapter can be designated as the findings of any special
Committee, although the title of the chapter is the same as the name
of the Committee given in the preface.
Scope of Commission's Work. The Commission is an investigating
and not a prosecuting body. The ordinance by which it was created
gave it no powers of prosecution and specifically stated the object in
view to be to obtain the results of a scientific study of existing condi-
tions and to point out methods of relief for such.
The Commission has carefully omitted from the report all names
of offenders against the law, as well as addresses. It has also re-
frained from publishing the numbers of police officers who have been
actually seen violating police rules regarding conduct while on duty
as well as overlooking the violation of the law and of police regula-
tions. In place of these the Commission has used the letter "X" with
a number following. These definite addresses, names and numbers,
however, are on file in the records of the Commission.
It must be remembered that the typical cases throughout the report
are taken from the daily reports of the field investigators in the em-
ploy of the Commission, and are given as their findings.
Investigations. The Commission entering upon its duties decided
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 31
that the first step was to learn of present conditions in the City of
Chicago. Mr. George J. Kneeland was secured as Director of In-
vestigation to take charge of the investigation, organize the work and
assist in the preparation of the final report. Mr. Kneeland is a col-
lege graduate, a social worker of experience, and has had charge of
important investigations in other cities. It was in connection with the
work of the Research Committee of the Committee of Fourteen of
New York, for which he had charge of the field investigation, that the
Commission came in touch with him. The Commission desires to ex-
press the deep obligation which the Commission and the community are
under for his painstaking, efficient, and conscientious efforts, and the
Commission does so in these, its opening paragraphs.
Trained expert investigators, both men and women, highly recom-
mended for their efficiency and reliability, were placed in the field. The
full results of their findings it is impossible to publish; first, because
of the volume, and, second, because of their unprintable character.
Two Standards of Morality. Unfortunately there are two standards
of morality in Chicago. One standard permits and applauds dances
by women almost naked in certain public places under the guise of art,
and condemns dances no worse before audiences from the less pros-
perous walks of life. This same hypocritical attitude drives the un-
fortunate and often poverty stricken prostitute from the street, and
at the same time tolerates and often welcomes the silken clad pros- /
titute in the public drinking places of several of the most preten-
tious hotels and restaurants of the city. Houses of prostitution
patronized by the lowly are closed at various times for various rea-
sons, but the gilded palaces of sin patronized by the wealthy are im-
mune from punishment, even to the extent of being saved the humil-
iation of appearing upon a police list.
Ignorance of Conditions Certainty Concerning Methods. This
Commission has been greatly impressed in its studies with these two
facts: first, the citizen's wilful ignorance of the immoral conditions
within the city, and second, his off-hand advice as to the proper meth-
ods of handling the vice problem, given with absolute confidence and
finality. The Commission has met this latter fault with real sym-
pathy. Its members entered upon the initial deliberations and inves-
tigations with a smiliar certainty. As time went on and facts were
32 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
presented this certainty as to the best solution of the problem
gradually disappeared. A period of revulsion against conditions and
of doubt as to the best course to pursue followed. Then began the
constructive period, months filled with progressive studies based upon
incontrovertible facts, with never a backward step, illuminating con-
ferences, wide-spread investigations in other cities as well as Chi-
cago, the fullest possible discussion and debate amongst its members
in frequent meetings often times from four to twelve hours in dura-
tion, with the result that new uncertainty was changed to a final cer-
tainty and thirty minds were absolutely unanimous in their conclusions.
We believe such harmonious unanimity on the part of men and women
representing so many diversified callings in life, and so many groups of
society, must be a fair indication of the public mind and conscience
of the citizens of Chicago. Again, this unanimity gives to the decision
a weight which it could not have possessed had there been a decided
difference of opinion amongst its members with the possible presenta-
tion of a minority report.
What is the situation today in Chicago? In detail, this may be
learned in the first Chapter of this report; as a summary we call es-
pecial attention to the facts which follow.
Prostitution a Commercialized Business. The first truth that the
Commission desires to impress upon the citizens of Chicago is the fact
that prostitution in this city is a Commercialised Business of large
proportions with tremendous profits of more than Fifteen Million
Dollars per year, controlled largely by men, not women. Separate
the male exploiter from the problem, and we minimize its extent and
abate its flagrant outward expression. In addition we check an artificial
stimulus which has been given the business so that larger profits may
be made by the men exploiters. It is abhorrent to the moral sense
of a community like Chicago the second largest city in the country
a city rightly ambitious to stand high in the world's achievements for
civic and social betterment that there should be within its borders
a group or groups of men, vicious and ignorant to a degree who are
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY l>3
openly and defiantly breaking the laws of the State, and bringing into ill
repute the honor of the city. 1
In juxtaposition with this group of professional male exploiters
stand ostensibly respectable citizens, both men and women, who are
openly renting and leasing property for exorbitant sums, and thus
sharing, through immorality of investments, the profits from this
Business. A Business which demands a supply of five thousand souls
from year to year to satisfy the lust and greed of men in this city
alone. These statements may seem exaggerated and highly colored,
but a careful, ultra conservative study of conditions in this municipality
has put the Commission in possession of absolute facts upon which
to base these conclusions. No language can be too strong, no con-
demnation too severe, for those who have brought upon Chicago this
intolerable situation.
Present Laws Not Enforced. In the second place the Commission
believes that something can be done by law honestly and efficiently
administered. Practically no attempt has been made in Chicago to en-
force the present laws. 2 In place of enforcing the law the police have
been allowed to adopt arbitrary rules and uncertain regulations of their
own, whereby certain sections of the city have become restricted dis-
tricts. ^Here they established their own regulations which were
without adequate legal foundation. We have, then, a combined
administrative and legislative power in the hands of a department of
the local government, which, in turn, is in closest touch with, and
influenced by, the political factors within the city. With the tre-
mendous financial profits from the Social Evil Business from which
to draw funds, is it any wonder that the administrative function is
tempered and exceptions made? Where one makes a rule which is
known to be in itself contrary to law, is it not to be expected that a
corresponding sense of freedom will result where the question of
leniency is raised as to its enforcement. Again, it must not be for-
gotten that the law cannot be made subservient to any rules and regu-
lations by any group of officials, whether they believe the law wise or
unwise, effective in operation or futile in execution.
Number of Prostitutes. What is the number of prostitutes in the
^ee Chapter I, "Existing Conditions "
'See Chapter III, "Social Evil and the Police."
34 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
City of Chicago? The Commission, after careful deliberation, fixes
the number as approximately, Five Thousand. This includes those
who do nothing else for a livelihood. The clandestine and casual
groups made up of immoral girls and women, married and other-
wies, it makes no attempt to estimate as there are no definite figures
upon which to base an assumption. In the instance of professionals
figures were obtainable. The police lists, supplemented with the lists
furnished by the Commission investigators, give a total of Four
Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety-four. 1 Eight hundred is not
too large a number to allow for those omitted from the police list
and not discovered by the Commission for lack of time and money
for a more thorough census.
Assignation Houses. The Commission feels that one of the greatest
menaces to young people, and an evil for which there is absolutely
no excuse and for which there should be no room in Chicago, is the
assignation hotels in the loop district and on the main streets lead-
ing from the same to the three sides of the city. They furnish a
place of ruin for young girls who are living at home as well as for
those at work, and enable men to wreck many lives without fear of
danger to themselves. They are large in number and flagrant and
bold in operation.
Prostitution and the Saloon. The Commission has found in its in-
vestigation that the most dangerous immoral influence, and the most
important financial interest, outside of the business of prostitution as
carried on in houses, is the disorderly saloons. The proprietors of
these places are using prostitutes as an adjunct to the sale of beer and
liquor, and are allowing them to openly solicit for immoral purposes
in their rear rooms. This is done in spite of the constant statements
of the brewers and wholesale liquor dealers that they are against the
use of prostitutes in saloons which they supply. 2
During the period of its investigation the Commission has secured
definite information regarding 445 saloons in different parts of the
city. The investigators have counted 929 unescorted women in these
saloons, who by their actions and conversation were believed to be
prostitutes. In fact they were solicited by more than 236 women in
'See Chapter I, "Existing Conditions."
"See Chapter II, "Social Evil and Saloon."
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 35
236 different saloons, all of whom, with the exception of 98, solicited
for rooms, "hotels," and houses of prostitution over the saloons.
Another feature of the saloon which is pernicious, is the vaudeville
shows of lewd nature conducted in the rear rooms. This is so wide-
spread in the saloons mentioned in the class above that the public
and police seem to have taken the attitude that because it exists, it
should be allowed to continue. Many young men, to say nothing of
women, have been lured by the entertainment provided in these re-
sorts to acts which they never contemplated when they entered the
saloon for drinks only. Could the general public know the extent
of the saloon's degrading influence in so many instances it would in-
sistently demand an immediate and permanent change in the situation.
The Commission is absolutely convinced that there should be a com-
plete separation of the saloon and the business of prostitution, and
this immediately.
Protection of Children. We often forget that society owes much
to the protection of the children. Those of mature years can be left
generally to guard themselves ; but in the case of youth and ignorance,
society must take the part of the elder brother, and in many cases,
the part of the father as an educator and guardian.
From its study of existing conditions in Chicago the Commission
feels that if there is to be any permanent gain in the fight against the
Social Evil in this city, much care and thought must be given the
problem of child protection and education. In the Chapter devoted to
this situation it is shown that the children in certain sections of the
city are surrounded by many immoral influences and dangers. They
are compelled by reason of poverty to live within, or in close prox-
imity to, restricted prostitute districts. Even in residential sections
children come in contact with immoral persons, and gain an early
knowledge of things which may influence their whole life and guide
them in the wrong direction.
One of the sad spectacles in this great city is the night children
who sell gum, candy and papers on the streets. These little vendors
become creatures of independent habits before they reach the age of
puberty. Through habits learned by loitering near saloons, and
even in the rear rooms frequented by prostitutes and vile men, they
become familiar with the vulgarity and immorality of the street and
36 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
learn their language and ways of life. All of this knowledge, far
beyond their years, results in defiance on the part of these children
against parental will and authority. That children should be kept off
the streets at night by the police, and that parents should be impressed
with the importance of the most strict supervision of the child's
recreational hours, are two matters of the greatest moment in the pro-
tection of the child.
The investigations by the Commission show that messengers and
newsboys have an intimate knowledge of the ways of the underworld.
Their moral sense is so blunted as to be absolutely blind to the degre-
dation of women and the vile influence of vicious men. Thus early in
life they become diseased both in body and soul and grow up to enter
upon a career of crime and lust.
Much good is being accomplished by various philanthropic organ-
izations, particularly the Juvenile Protective Association, in calling the
public attention to these grave dangers, and caring for children who
are victims of such environments. 1
The Commission heartily endorses all attempts to provide health-
ful and carefully guarded places of recreation for the children. It
does not sympathiz with those who simply stand by to criticize with-
out doing anything in a constructive way to provide something whole-
some for that which may demoralize. Children must and should have
amusement and recreation, and they will find it in some way. Let
Chicago increase her small parks and recreation centers. Let the
churches give of their facilities to provide amusement for children.
Let the Board of Education extend its efforts in establishing more
social centers in the public schools. Let the city provide clean dances,
well chaperoned as they are now in the public schools Social Centers.
Sex Education. Many of the immoral influences and dangers which
are constantly surrounding young children on the street, in their
amusements, and in business life, may be counteracted and minimized
by proper moral teaching and scientific instruction. Educators have
come to feel something should be done directly by teachers in schools
and elsewhere to impart some kind of instruction to counteract the
evil knowledge which children acquire from evil sources.
The Commission believes that in the case of children beyond the
'See Chapter V, "Child Protection and Education."
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 37
age of puberty sex hygiene may be taught in schools under carefully
trained and scientifically instructed teachers. For younger children
the parents should do the teaching as the part of a sacred duty. In
the case of the father being unwilling to do so, let the family physician
be asked to teach the son. The mother, with her maternal instinct,
will find the way and means to warn the daughter of the dangers
which may beset her. In colleges and universities sex hygiene should
be universally taught. The Commission feels that the teaching of sex
hygiene in schools is an important movement which, while not yet
past the experimental stage, promises great advances in the promo-
tion of child protection for the future. But it is certain that knowl-
edge of sex hygiene alone can never be successful in saving the child
until it is based upon religious conviction and sound moral training.
The lack of home instruction in the use and abuse of sex organs
and relationship leads many children to a knowledge gained in sad
ways with unhappy results. Fortunate, indeed, is the boy or girl, who
has a father or mother as a confidant with whom there may be free
conversation concerning the natural functions of the body a conver-
sation raised almost to a point of spirituality because of the parent's
pure love for the child, and the child's unfaltering trust in the
parent. If more fathers and mothers could be companions and com-
rades with their children there would be far less need of Commis-
sions of this kind to solve perplexing problems for the parents.
We record our conviction that while intelligence regarding sexual
matters, if dictated by moral sentiment, is a safeguard to the youth
of the community, yet the indiscriminate circulation of sexual
information among children by means of books and pamphlets sug-
gests a danger which ought not to escape attention. These publica-
tions are of two sorts. The first includes the vicious prints which even
assume the guise of helpful instruction to accomplish their purpose.
The second comprises those works on sexual science which, with the
best intent, are prepared for the use of children. We are firmly of
the opinion that such material should be used by parents and other
instructors of the children in securing information which they may
impart to those in their care, rather than by the children themselves
in whose hands it is liable to awaken morbid curiosity and to result in
harm.
38 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
We recommend the careful examination of all material of this na-
ture offered to children for purchase and the suppression of such
evidently vicious in intent. Publishers and booksellers of the ob-
jectionable material should not be allowed to sell to children.
The Situation in Colored Communities. The history of the social
evil in Chicago is intimately connected with the colored population.
Invariably the larger vice districts have been created within or near
the settlements of colored people. In the past history of the city,
nearly every time a new vice district was created down town or on
the South Side, the colored families were in the district, moving in
just ahead of the prostitutes. The situation along State street from
16th street south is an illustration.
So whenever prostitutes, cadets and thugs were located among white
people and had to be moved for commercial or other reasons, they
were driven to undesirable parts of the city, the so-called colored resi-
dential sections. A former Chief of Police gave out a semi-official
statement to the effect that so long as this degenerate group of persons
confined their residence to districts west of Wabash avenue and east of
Wentworth avenue they would not be apprehended. This part of the
city is the largest residence section of colored families. Their churches,
Sunday schools and societies, are within these boundaries. In this
colored community there is a large number of disorderly saloons,
gambling houses, assignation rooms and houses of ill-fame. An in-
vestigation shows that there are several thousand colored people in
the First, Second and Third Wards where these vicious conditions
obtain. Under these conditions in the Second and Third Wards there
are 1,475 young colored boys and girls.
In addition to this proximity to immoral conditions young colored
girls are often forced into idleness because of a prejudice against
them, and they are eventually forced to accept positions as maids in
houses of prostitution.
Employment agents do not hesitate to send colored girls as servants
to these houses. They make the astounding statement that the law
does not allow them to send white girls but they will furnish colored
help!
In summing up it is an appalling fact that practically all of the
male and female servants connected with houses of prostitution in vice
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 39
districts and in disorderly flats in residential sections are colored. The
majority of entertainers in disorderly saloons on the South Side are
colored men who live with, and in part upon, the proceeds of white
women.
The apparent discrimination against the colored citizens of the city
in permitting vice to be set down in their very midst is unjust, and
abhorrent to all fair minded people. Colored children should receive
the same moral protection that white children receive.
The prejudice against colored girls who are ambitious to earn an
honest living is unjust. Such an attitude eventually drives them into
immoral surroundings. They need special care and protection on the
maxim that it is the duty of the strong to help the weak. Any effort,
therefore, to improve conditions in Chicago should provide more whole-
some surroundings for the families of its colored citizens who now
live in communities of colored people.
Perversion, As the very outset of the Commission's investigation
its attention was called by several persons to the practice of sexual
perversion which was said to be very prevalent and growing in Chi-
cago. The investigation of the Commission bears out this assertion.
It must be understood that the perpetrators of these various forms of
sexual perversion can be regarded as those who may be punished under
the law relating to infamous crimes. The result of the investigation
of this evil has been incorporated in the chapter on "The Social Evil
and Its Medical Aspects." 1
Sources of Supply. The investigation of the Commission on the
sources of supply has resulted in a large amount of illuminating data,
sad and pitiful in its details. This information has been supplemented
by the results of other investigations undertaken by various protective
organizations, including the Juvenile Court, which has been compiled
by the Commission. The chapter on "Sources of Supply" is one of
the most important in this report and it is suggested that it be read
in full. On account of its length, it is difficult to make a summary;
some prominent features may be noted, however, as bearing upon
the general problem.
Wherever there is a demand, artificial or otherwise, there must be
a supply. In another part of this report the conservative estimate
'See Chapter VII, page 295.
40 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
is made that there are at least five thousand professional prostitutes
in Chicago. Medical men affirm that the average life of these un-
fortunate women for service is from five to seven years. Thus it
follows that fresh young girls must be continually supplied to take
the place of those who die or are rendered useless by disease. Where
do these new victims come from? Is the demand supplied?
From the mass of evidence we learn that the path which leads down
to disease and death is constantly filled with young recruits who go
stumbling on, blinded by the want of necessities of life, by a desire
for some simple luxuries, by ignorance, by vain hopes, by broken
promises, by the deceit and lust of men.
The Immigrant. The immigrant woman furnishes a large supply
to the demand. Generally virtuous when she comes to this country,
she is ruined and exploited because there is no adequate protection
and assistance given her after she reaches the United States. That
some prostitutes come from foreign countries is of course true, but
the Federal Government, especially through its officials in Chicago,
has done considerable to stop this importation. The White Slave Act,
recently passed by Congress, has been most effective in minimizing the
traffic in foreign women. Much needs to be done, however, to protect
the innocent immigrant who is betrayed and led into an immoral life
after landing in New York or elsewhere. The care of immigrant
women, upon their arrival in Chicago, needs supervision. Immigrant
girls should not be left to private expressmen and cab drivers, to be
lost to their relatives and friends in the city, because of incorrect
addresses or the carelessness or vicious intent of the drivers.
Bad Home Conditions. The subject under consideration should bring
forward most prominently, too, the fact that the supply comes largely
from bad home conditions and lack of recreational privileges. In a
large number of cases investigated, the home conditions have con-
tributed to, if not caused, the downfall of many a wife and daughter.
As will be seen in the chapter on "Sources of Supply," l the perversion
of the natural sex relationships by immorality of the guardian, by the
evil example of a brother, sister, or other relative, and by the abuse
of the marriage relation is the specific source of the ruin of many
lives.
'See Chapter IV, "Sources of Supply."
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 41
Statements are often made and, in some instances warranted by
facts, that the excessive demands upon the mother because of a large
family of children, without sufficient income or help to care for them,
is also the occasion for many neglected children going astray. The
statement is also made and supported by facts, learned from long and
faithful experience in caring for dependent and delinquent children,
that more delinquent girls come from small families where they are
spoiled, than from large families where there may be poverty, but a
sort of unconscious protective union of the children shielding one
another.
White Slave Traffic. The subject of the so-called White Slave Traf-
fic has attracted much attention throughout this and foreign countries.
The term "white slave," is a misnomer. As a matter of fact the traffic
is not confined to white girls, but to all unfortunate girls and women
of all colors, races and nationalities. The use of this term, however,
is authorized by the National Government and was incorporated in
the international law on the subject. A "white slaver" in reality is a
man who employs men or women or goes out himself to secure girls
upon some false pretense, or misrepresentation, or when the girl, in-
toxicated or drugged, and not in possession of her senses, is conveyed
to any place for immoral purposes.
If the girl is wayward and goes of her own free will she would
not be a white slave in the true sense of the word; nor the man or
woman who induced her to go or accompanied her to an immoral
place a "white slaver." However, any man or woman who induces
or accompanies any woman to enter an immoral place is guilty under
the Illinois Pandering Act.
It has been demonstrated that men and women engaged in the
"white slave traffic" are not organized. Their operations, however,
are so similar and they use the same methods to such an extent that it
is safe to infer that they are in some way working together.
Divorce. The Vice Commission, after exhaustive consideration
of the vice question, records itself of the opinion that divorce to a large
extent is a contributory factor to sexual vice. No study of this blight
upon the social and moral life of the country would be comprehensive
without consideration of the causes which lead to the application for
divorce. These are too numerous to mention at length in such a report
42 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
as this, but the Commission does wish to emphasize the great need
of more safeguards against the marrying of persons physically, men-
tally and morally unfit to take up the responsibilities of family life, in-
cluding the bearing of children.
Selection Guarded. An application for a license of any kind, whether
it be to construct a house, run a push cart, peddle shoe strings, or keep
a dog, must be accompanied with evidences that the applicants are
responsible and reliable agents. But for a marriage license, one per-
son, unattended and unknown and, as far as one can know, an epileptic,
a degenerate, or who has in his blood a loathsome venereal disease,
may pass his name through a window with that of a similarly ques-
tionable female, likewise unknown, and be granted the divine right
to perpetuate his kind and in turn thereby placing a burden and a blight
on society and the community for generations to come. The whole
subject of selection in connection with the institution of marriage is of
vital importance in connection with the social evil. Unwise selection
produces innumerable contributory agencies through unhappy mar-
riages, inherited degeneracy and disease, and the divorce evil.
The Economic Side of the Question. The life of an unprotected
girl who tries to make a living in a great city is full of torturing
temptations. First, she faces the problem of living on an inadequate
wage: Six dollars a week is the average in mercantile establish-
ments. If she were living at home where the mother and sister could
help her with mending, sewing and washing, where her board would
be small perhaps only a dollar or two towards the burden carried
by the other members of the family where her lunch would come
from the family larder then her condition might be as good as if she
earned eight dollars per week.
The girl who has no home soon learns of "city poverty" all the more
cruel to her because of the artificial contrasts. She quickly learns
of the possibilities about her, of the joys of comfort, good food, enter-
tainment, attractive clothes. Poverty becomes a ^menace and a snare.
One who has not beheld the struggle or come in personal contact
with the tempted soul of the underpaid girl can never realize what the
poverty of the city means to her. One who has never seen her bravely
fighting against such fearful odds will ever understand. A day's sick-
ness or a week out of work are tragedies in her life. They mean trips
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 43
to the pawn brokers, meagre dinners, a weakened will, often a plunge
into the abyss from which she so often never escapes.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of girls from country towns, and those
born in the city but who have been thrown on their own resources,
are compelled to live in cheap boarding or rooming houses on the
average wage of six dollars. How do they exist on this sum? It is
impossible to figure it out on a mathematical basis. If the wage
were eight dollars per week, and the girl paid two and a half dollars for
her room, one dollar for laundry, and sixty cents for car fare, she would
have less than fifty cents left at the end of the week. That is pro-
vided she ate ten cent breakfasts, fifteen cent luncheons and twenty-
five cent dinners. But there is no doubt that many girls do live on
even six dollars and do it honestly, but we can affirm that they
do not have nourishing food, or comfortable shelter, or warm clothes,
or any amusement, except perhaps free public dances, without outside
help, either from charity in the shape of girls' clubs, or friends in the
country home; How can she possibly exist to say nothing of live?
Is it any wonder that a tempted girl who receives only six dollars
per week working with her hands sells her body for twenty-five dol-
lars per week when she learns there is a demand for it and men are
willing to pay the price? On the one hand her employer demands
honesty, faithfulness and a "clean and neat appearance," and for all
this he contributes from his profits an average of six dollars for every
week. Her honesty alone is worth this inadequate wage disregarding
the consideration of her efficiency. In the sad life of prostitution, on
the other hand, we find here the employer demanding the surrender
of her virtue, pays her an average of twenty-five dollars per week.
Which employer wins the half starved child to his side in this unequal
battle ? It would be unjust, however, to cast any reflection upon those
girls who are brave and pure, by intimating that because they earn
so small a wage they must necessarily be in the same class with those
other girls who, unable to survive longer the heroic battle against
poverty and self-sacrifice, have succumbed and gone down.
Prostitution demands youth for its perpetration. On the public
rests the mighty responsibility of seeing to it that the demand is not
supplied through the breaking down of the early education of the
young girl or her exploitation in the business world? What show
44 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
has she in the competitive system which exists today? Whatever her
chances may be, to stand or to fall, she is here in hordes in the business
world as our problem. Let us do something to give her at least a
living wage. If she is not sufficiently skilled to earn it let us mix
some religious justice with our business and do something to in-
crease her efficiency which she has never been able to develop through
no fault of her own.
Are flesh and blood so cheap, mental qualifications so common and
honesty of so little value, that the manager of one of our big de-
partment stores feels justified in paying a high school girl, who has
served nearly one year as an inspector of sales, the beggarly wage
of $4.00 per week? What is the natural result of such an industrial
condition? Dishonesty and immorality, not from choice, but neces-
sity in order to live. We can forgive the human frailty which yields
to temptation under such conditions but we cannot forgive the soul-
less corporation, which arrests and prosecutes this girl a first of-
fender when she takes some little articles for personal adornment.
The Man's Part. The end of the battle is not yet for those girls
who struggle on alone and unprotected with their more pressing
financial problems. The greatest menace is before her the Man.
See her as he meets her at the door of her place of employment ! See
her as she returns to her cheap boarding house ! Huddled away among
coarse and vulgar male companions, lonely, underfed and hungry-
hungry not only for food, but for a decent shelter, for a home, for
friends, for a sympathetic touch or word; tired from a hard day's
toil even to the point of recklessness starving for honest pleasures
and amusements and with what does she meet? The advances of
men without either a spark of bravery or honor, who hunt as their
unlawful prey this impoverished girl, this defenseless child of pov-
erty, unprotected, unloved and uncared for as she is plunged into the
swirling, seething stream of humanity; the advances of men who are
so low that they have lost even a sense of sportsmanship, and who
seek as their game an underfed, a tired, and a lonely girl.
She suffers, but what of him? She goes down, and is finally sacri-
ficed to a life of shame, but what of him? He escapes as a "romancer."
It is not just!
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 45
Rescue and Reform. One of the most important tasks undertaken
by the Commission was that of reporting on the subject of the rescue
and reform of immoral girls and women. This problem presents many
interesting phases, and can only be solved by wise methods and with
the help of good men and women. Too often this help is withheld
by the very ones who should extend it. The feeling against these
unfortunate women is still very strong in these days, and it is seldom
that persons can be found who will furnish a wholesome Christian
home environment which is so much needed in any plan to touch the
lives so troubled and degraded. Outside of this very effective method
of reaching this class of women there has not been any scheme sug-
gested for their reformation. One of the chief reasons for this, no
doubt, is that no system of reformation substitutes anything for the
abnormal impulses to which these women are subjected. Some life
must be devised whereby the abnormality of their existence can be
controlled. Unless this is done it would seem that the reformation
of the professional prostitute is almost hopeless.
Causes Which Lead to Downfall. Any plan of reformation must
take into consideration the causes which lead to the downfall of these
unfortunates. After an exhaustive study of the whole field the Com-
mission feels that among the causes which influence girls and women
to enter upon a life of semi-professional and professional prostitution
are the following: First, lack of ethical teaching and religious in-
struction; second, the economic stress of industrial life on unskilled
workers, with the enfeebling influences on the will power; third, the
large number of seasonal trades in which women are especially en-
gaged; fourth, abnormality; fifth, unhappy home conditions; sixth,
careless and ignorant parents; seventh, broken promises; eighth, love
of ease and luxury; ninth, the craving for excitement and change;
tenth, ignorance of hygiene.
Once plunged into this life through these or any other causes the
prostitute sinks lower and lower. She finds herself a part of a cruel
commercialized business. She is driven to excessive indulgence in all
kinds of vice, besides the one particular vice so abhorrent, in order
to bring extra profits to her keeper, and to the men who profit off
her sin and shame. These attendant vices, such as drink and the use
of drugs, coupled with the demands upon her nervous system in per-
46 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
forming the services demanded of her, soon render her the most pitiful
of all beings. As one physician who has had a large practice in venereal
disease wards put it, "The life is against biology as well as sociology,
they are in most cases gone physically, gone nervously, gone socially."
How Can Unfortunate Women Be Rescued? How can these un-
fortunate women be helped and saved to society? Some well meaning
persons declare that they should be left to their fate; that they are
criminals, and should be treated as such. The Commission does not
feel that this is an answer to the problem. They are human beings
still, for a time stumbling in the depths of sin and shame, but not-
withstanding how low they have sunken in the social scale they can be
rescued, if by some method they can be made to feel the touch of
divine sympathy and human love.
No doubt, during the coming months many of these women, now in
houses, and on the streets, and in the saloons, will be cut loose from
their surroundings by the effective operation of the law. Some wise
provision must be made to help them. To put them in prison with no
provisions for their spiritual or physical needs would only tend to
degrade them still lower and send them back to a life of shame in some
other community in a worse condition than they were before.
Abolish Fining System. Two very practical things can be done.
The first is to abolish the fining system now in vogue against the semi-
professional and professional prostitutes. This system leads to many
abuses and is in no way reformatory. If the girl does not have the
money to pay her fine or secure bail, she must borrow, often from
men, and this generally adds a link in the chain which binds her to an
immoral life. If she has money the fine or the cost of the bail bond
will probably make her penniless. In either case she must return to
the street, the house or the saloon, and plunge into reckless excesses
in order to earn the money. First offenders, especially, instead of
being fined or imprisoned should be placed on probation under the
care of intelligent and sympathetic women officially connected with
the court. These women can not only watch over these unfortunate
girls and advise with them, but can secure employment for them or
return them to their homes. This adult probation system has proved
to be most successful in other cities in reaching this class of cases.
The following is suggested in the form of relief:
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 47
Industrial Homes. Old and hardened offenders, weakened by dis-
ease, their wills sapped and gone by drugs and the artificial excite-
ment of their degraded lives, should be sent to an industrial farm
with hospital accommodations on an indeterminate sentence. Ob-
viously it is necessary that some such measures of almost drastic con-
trol should obtain, if such women are to be permanently helped and
society served. Such women are described by one writer as : "These
dubious divinities of the gas light and the pavement represent the
eternal sacrifice of woman, the tragedy of her abasement, her obedi-
ence to the world."
To Men A Closing Word. In closing this introduction the Com-
mission desires to say one more word to those who support this busi-
ness of women's souls, whether as barterers of the body, or those who
demand the service the Man. There is only one moral law it is alike
for men and women. Again, there is a contract called matrimony
which is a solemn contract made between those who love. It carries
with it the elements of vested rights even a solemn promise before
God. A signature represents honor it is there likewise a promise
it is there. Has this contract been kept inviolate ? If not, why not?
To one who hears the ghastly life story of fallen women it is ever
the same the story of treachery, seduction and downfall the flagrant
act of man the ruin of a soul by man.
It is a man and not a woman problem which we face today
commercialized by man supported by man the supply of fresh victims
furnished by men men who have lost that fine instinct of chivalry
and that splendid honor for womanhood where the destruction of a
woman's soul is abhorrent, and where the defense of a woman's purity
is truly the occasion for a valiant fight.
Proposed Ordinance,
PROPOSED ORDINANCE.
The Vice Commission presents the following ordinance for the con-
sideration of the Mayor and City Council of Chicago:
Be it Ordained by the City Council of Chicago:
SECTION 1. That there shall be and hereby is created in and for
the City of Chicago, a commission to be known as the "Morals Com-
mission of the City of Chicago," the members of which shall be ap-
pointed by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council, and
which commission shall consist of five (5) persons who shall be quali-
fied electors of said city and each of whom shall have resided therein
at least one year preceding his appointment. The Commissioner of
Health of the City of Chicago shall be ex-officio one of the members
of said commission. A second member of said commission shall be a
physician in good standing.
SECTION 2. The members of said commission shall take the oath
of office and file the bond provided by law for officers of said city:
Provided that no additional bond shall be required of the member
of said commission who shall be the Commissioner of Health of said
city. Such bond shall be in the penal sum of One Thousand Dollars
($1,000), and shall be conditioned according to law.
SECTION 3. The term of office of the Commissioner of Health as
ex-officio member of said commission, shall be during the time that
he shall be Commissioner of Health of the City of Chicago. The
term of office of the other members of said commission shall be two
(2) years and until their successors shall be appointed and qualified.
The Commissioner of Health of the City of Chicago shall not receive
any additional compensation as a member of said commission. The
other members of said commission shall serve without compensation.
It shall be the duty of the Commissioner of Public Works of the City
of Chicago to furnish to said commission suitable quarters without
charge.
SECTION 4. Said commission shall have power to appoint a chief
clerk and assistant clerk, one attorney and assistant attorney, one
medical inspector and assistant medical inspectors, and such other help
51
52 THE~SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
as may be necessary. The compensation of all such officers and help
and other expenses of said commission shall be such as may from
time to time be fixed by the City Council.
SECTION 5. It shall be the duty of said commission to take all
legal and necessary steps towards the effectual suppression of bawdy
and disorderly houses, houses of ill-fame or assignation within the limits
of the City of Chicago, and within three (3) miles of the outer
boundaries of the city; to collect evidence of the violation of any state
laws and city ordinances concerning any of such houses, and the keep-
ers, inmates and patrons of the same; and to institute and carry on
prosecutions in the name of the City of Chicago against any of said
houses, said keepers, inmates and patrons.
SECTION 6. Said commission shall have power and authority to
make rules and regulations for the conduct of the business of said
commission and otherwise not inconsistent with the provisions of
this ordinance.
Recommendations.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
The Vice Commission presents the following recommendations for
the consideration of the Federal, State, County and City authorities,
public officials and various organizations :
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE FEDERAL AUTHORITIES.
I. A Federal Bureau of Immigration should be established in great
distributive centers, such as Chicago, to provide for the safe conduct
of immigrants from ports of entry to their destination. Efficient
legislation should be enacted and present laws enforced in such a man-
ner as to deal the traffic in women within the boundaries of each State
as thoroughly as the Federal authorities have dealt with the inter-
national traffic.
II. The law regarding the use of boats for prostitution purposes
should be enforced.
III. The owners of lake steamers should exercise more vigilance
enforcing their rules.
IV. There should be more officers with police powers on board
lake steamers.
V. The sale of intoxicating liquor to minors should be absolutely
prohibited on lake steamers.
VI. All gambling devices should be suppressed on lake steamers.
VII. The Commission condemns the ease with which divorces
may be obtained in certain States, and recommends a stringent, uni-
form divorce law for all States.
55
56 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE STATE AUTHORITIES.
I. We recommend that the State authorities, the Chicago Medical
Society, or the Morals Commission investigate and report on mid-
wives, advertised maternity hospitals, medical advertisements, adver-
tising doctors and regular physicians who are suspected of being or
known to be abortionists.
II. Physicians who advertise treatment and cure of venereal dis-
eases should come under the provisions of Section 12, Chapter 91,
of the Illinois Revised Statutes, providing for the licensing of itinerant
physicians.
III. We recommend that the State authorities or the Morals Com-
mission conduct an investigation of employment agencies.
IV. The advertisements of employment agents who advertise in
Chicago papers published in foreign languages should be carefully
watched and the advertisers investigated.
V. Publishers should be warned against inserting the advertise-
ments of suspicious employment agencies.
VI. Employment agents should be carefully instructed regarding
the law applicable to them.
VII. We recommend the enactment of a new Illinois law providing
that medical certificates must be secured showing bearer is free from
syphilis, gonorrhoea and other venereal diseases before a marriage
license can be issued. 1
VIII. The law regarding infamous crimes should be altered and
made specific under the guidance of scientific men who understand
these practices so as to make it clearly understood that society regards
these abhorrent deeds as crimes.
IX. We recommend the passage of an amendment to the present
child labor law to the effect that no person under the age of twenty-
one shall be employed in the night messenger service.
X. We recommend the enactment of State laws and City ordi-
nances whereby a house of prostitution may be declared a public
nuisance, and containing provisions expressly giving to any c.tizen
'See Exhibit N.
RECOMMENDATIONS 57
the right to institute simple and summary proceedings in equity for the
abatement of the nuisance.
XL We recommend the repeal of the law of 1874, as to houses
of ill-fame or prostitution (Chapter 24 Revised Statutes, Part 1, Arti-
cle 5, Section 1, paragraph 45) in so far as such limits the powers
of the Department of Health ; and most strongly recommend the enact-
ment of such legislation as will empower the Commissioner of Health,
after due investigation, to declare any such house a place of con-
tagious disease and to order same closed and abandoned.
XII. There should be a relentless prosecution and punishment of
professional procurers.
XIII. There should be constant prosecution of all keepers and in-
mates of existing houses of prostitution, as well as owners of the prop-
erty rented or leased for immoral purposes.
XIV. There should be a more strict supervision in licensing and
inspecting the practice of midwives and physicians and prosecution
of druggists who sell drugs and certain appliances illegally.
XV. An identification system for prostitutes should be established
in the State Courts.
XVI. In dealing with prostitution fines should be abolished and
imprisonment or an adult probation system substituted.
XVII. A law should be enacted providing a penalty against any
person who knowingly places or permits to remain in a disorderly
house or in an unlicensed saloon, inn, tavern or other unlicensed place
where malt or spirituous liquors or wine are sold, any instrument or
device by which communication can be had between such disorderly
house, saloon, inn, tavern, or unlicensed place, and any office or place
of business or habitation of a corporation or person.
XVIII. A law should be enacted providing a penalty against any
corporation or person employing messenger boys, or knowingly sending
any messenger boy under twenty-one years of age to any disorderly
house, unlicensed saloon, inn, tavern, or other unlicensed place where
malt or spirituous liquors or wines are sold, on any errand or business
whatsoever.
XIX. We recommend that immediate legislation be sought to es-
58 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
tablish a second school for wayward girls in the State of Illinois, said
institution to be established in some other part of the State, rather
than to extend the institution at Geneva. The latter institution is
overcrowded and the numbers there are all that can be governed satis-
factorily by one superintendent.
XX. We recommend legislation providing for the organization of
a sympathetic agency with paid agents who have followed a special in-
struction, and who would be charged with the regular supervision of
the children of unmarried mothers.
XXI. We also recommend that the City or County provide a phy-
sician with assistants who shall receive the reports of agents and in-
quire into the state of health of such children and care for those who
are sick.
XXII. We further recommend that this general guardianship and
regular supervision over all such children of the City be extended
until they have passed through the school age.
XXIII. We recommend that Section 8, Chapter 17, of Kurd's Re-
vised Statutes relating to Bastardy be amended by striking out the
words, "He shall be condemned by the order and judgment of the
Court to pay a sum not exceeding $100 for the first year after the
birth of such child, and a sum not exceeding $50 yearly for the nine
years succeeding said first year, for the support, maintenance and
education of such child," and amending same so that responsibility
for the care and support of the child of an unmarried mother shall be
borne by the father until the child's majority.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNTY OFFICIALS.
I. We recommend the appointment of a permanent Committee on
Child Protection, with ample funds from the County Treasury.
II. All hospitals receiving County funds in whole or in part sliould
be obliged to treat cases of venereal disease.
RECOMMENDATIONS 59
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY AUTHORITIES.
I. We recommend that the City Council of the City of Chicago
enact an ordinance creating a commission to be known as the "Morals
Commission of the City of Chicago." 1
II. Enforce the laws and regulations, especially those,
(a) Prohibiting the harboring of prostitutes and disorderly
persons in saloons.
(b) Prohibiting wine rooms &nd stalls in saloons.
(c) Prohibiting assignation rooms, houses of prostitution and
"hotels" in connection with saloons.
(d) Prohibiting dances in buildings where there is a saloon.
III. To this end
(a) Maintain a strict surveillance of the police.
(b) Discharge policemen who are guilty of gross or petty
graft in their relations with the saloons.
(c) Make frequent rotation of policemen.
(d) Provide investigation of complaints, within twenty- four
hours, by picked men, taken from "outside" districts.
IV. By any proper means, especially by publicity, put pressure
(1). Upon the Brewers' Exchange and the Wholesale Liquor
Dealers' Association members doing business with saloons which
violate the laws or regulations referred to, or who are, as bonds-
men, responsible for such saloons.
(2) Upon the Retail Liquor Dealers' Association to discipline
members who may violate these laws or regulations.
V. Licenses of saloons that violate these laws or regulations should
be permanently, not temporarily, revoked.
VI. The city should provide public comfort stations in different
sections of the city, especially in the loop district.
VII. Licenses of saloons in the near neighborhood of school houses
and other public institutions should be revoked.
VIII. Give the facts regarding conditions in saloons, both general
and detailed, to the public.
*For copy of proposed ordinance, see page 51.
60 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
IX. No women without male escorts should be permitted in sa-
loons.
X. No professional or paid escorts for women should be permitted
in any saloon.
XL No solicitation for drinks or for prostitution purposes by men
or women should be permitted in any saloon.
XII. No immoral or vulgar dances or entertainments should be
given in any room connected with saloons.
XIII. The ordinances prohibiting wine rooms should be strictly
enforced and any attempt to provide booths, screens, curtains about
tables in rear rooms of saloons should be immediately suppressed.
XIV. All connections leading to rooms over saloons from any part
of saloon should be immediately and permanently closed.
XV. The violation of any of these rules and regulations should
be sufficient to secure the permanent revocation of a saloon license.
XVI. We recommend that no intoxicating liquor be sold at any
public dance.
XVII. We recommend that an ordinance be passed providing for
a license fee of Fifty Dollars annually for the privilege of operating
a public dance hall and also that a corresponding Department of In-
spection be provided. 1
XVI. Prostitutes who desire to avail themselves of the opportunity,
or who are arrested and convicted on charges, should be sent to an
industrial home with hospital accommodations. To this end such an
institution should be established.
XVII. Semi-delinquent girls should be segregated from delinquents
and more enlightened methods of care and education be given them.
They should not be associated with prostitutes or semi-professional
prostitutes.
XVIII. A Municipal Detention Home for Women should be es-
tablished, controlled by probation officers.
XIX. The City authorities should see to it that immigrants ar-
riving at the railroad station are protected and, if necessary, escorted
to their destination within the city.
'See Exhibit O.
RECOMMENDATIONS 61
XX. Municipal dance halls should be established, properly policed
and supervised.
XXI. The city ordinances regarding moving picture shows should
be revised in such a way as to provide for the presentation of pictures
in well lighted halls.
XXII. A municipal lodging house should be established for women.
XXIII. Wards should be established in the city hospitals for the
treatment of venereal diseases.
XXIV. All hospitals receiving city funds in part or in whole should
be obliged to treat cases of venereal disease.
XXV. We recommend that the municipality secure a farm on which
a trade school and hospital could be established to which professional
prostitutes could be committed on an indeterminate sentence.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CORPORATION COUNSEL.
I. The city ordinances relating to houses of prostitution should be
enforced.
II. The city ordinances prohibiting advertisements purporting to
treat and cure venereal diseases should be enforced.
III. Daily papers that publish such advertisements should be prose-
cuted.
62 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I. Accurate monthly reports on all places in the City of Chicago
where immoral and dissolute persons congregate, should be made to
the General Superintendent of Police by inspectors of all police divi-
sions.
II. If any inspector, captain or officer fails to report to the Gen-
eral Superintendent of Police all places where immoral and dissolute
persons congregate, as suspicious or otherwise, he should be reduced
in rank or dismissed from the service.
III. Inspectors of police should immediately report to the General
Superintendent of Police all known assignation hotels and suspected
places of like character and these places should be immediately sup-
pressed.
IV. When complaints are received by the General Superintendent
of Police, he should have them investigated by officers directly con-
nected with his private office, and a report should be made to him
direct at the earliest possible moment.
V. A special morals police squad should form a part of the police
force of the city.
VI. We recommend that women officers be added to the police
force, "whose duty should be to render assistance to women or girls
throughout the city, especially at all railroad stations or other places
where inexperienced women are liable to need help. We also recom-
mend that some of these women officers be able to speak foreign lan-
guages.
VII. Police officers should be compelled to designate whether or
not an offender was charged with street walking, when arrests are
made under Section 270 of the Criminal Code, and -Sections 1476 and
1454 of the City Ordinances.
VIII. The General Superintendent of Police should direct all police
officers to send to their homes all children and all young boys and
girls under sixteen years of age found on the streets, away from
their home neighborhoods and unattended by parents or guardians,
after 9 o'clock in the evening.
IX. The police should wage a relentless warfare against houses
of prostitution, immoral flats, assignation rooms, call houses, and dis-
orderly saloons in all sections of the city.
RECOMMENDATIONS 63
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
I. We recommend that the Department of Health of the City of
Chicago investigate and report the extent of venereal diseases in Chi-
cago each year, together with the sources of infection.
II. We recommend that the Department of Health investigate and
report on the question of the practice of midwifery in Chicago, with
such recommendations looking to its improvement as may be deemed
proper.
III. We recommend that the Department of Health institute a rigid
investigation into the use of cocaine and other noxious drugs, with a
view at least of limiting such sales by the druggists.
IV. We recommend that the Board of Health direct especial at-
tention to so-called massage practice.
V. We recommend that the Department of Health be given power
to suppress as a public nuisance any place where venereal and other
contagious diseases flourish.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
I. We recommend that the Board of Education appoint a com-
mittee to investigate thoroughly the advisability and methods of teach-
ing social hygiene to the older pupils in the public schools.
II. Girls between the ages of fourteen and sixteen should receive
definite vocational training in continuation schools.
III. We recommend that the Board of Education extend the use
of public schools as social centers.
IV. We recommend that school grounds be open for children,
always under close supervision.
64 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PARK COMMISSIONERf
I. The parks should be better policed and playgrounds supervised
more carefully.
II. Managers of dancing pavilions should be more vigilant in ex-
cluding professional prostitutes.
III. Soliciting by prostitutes within park enclosures should be
rigidly suppressed.
IV. Park managers should extend greater protection to unaccom-
panied young girls, especially in the evening.
V. Public parks should be better lighted and equipped with search
lights. Seats should be removed from the deep shadows.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CHURCHES AND OTHER RELIGIOUS BODIES.
I. Pastors and religious workers should aid in arousing public
opinion against the open and flagrant expression of the social evil in
this city.
II. The churches should endeavor tQ counteract the evil influences
in the community by opening rooms attached to the church buildings
as recreational centers during week day evenings.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO PARENTS.
I. Great emphasis should be placed on parental responsibility and
upon the effects of church and school in informing parents how to safe-
guard their children in sex life and relationship.
II. Parents should demand a signed statement from a reputable
physician that the man asking permission to marry their daughter is
free from venereal disease.
III. We recommend the careful examination of all printed material
offered to children and purporting to give helpful instruction along
sexual lines, and the suppression of such as is evidently vicious in in-
tent. Publishers and book sellers should not be allowed to sell this
material to children.
RECOMMENDATIONS 65
RECOMMENDATIONS TO PHILANTHROPIC AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
I. An intensive study should be made of the working conditions
and wages paid by those establishments in Chicago which depend upon
the labor of girls and women. This investigation should also ascer-
tain living conditions, cost o^ living of different groups, and decide
on what constitutes a "living wage" for each group.
II. Greater publicity should be given the conditions which exist
on lake steamers so that parents will warn their sons and daughters
of the moral dangers surrounding them while on such excursions.
III. Immigrant homes for foreign girls should be established and
supported by different nationalities.
IV. Immigrant girls should be warned not to go to employment
agents who advertise in the press, especially in foreign languages, until
the agents have been investigated.
V. More hotels and homes should be established for working women
and girls.
VI. Provision for the rescue and reform of prostitutes should
include some plan for the hospital care of drug users.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATION.
I. We recommend that the daily press publish an appeal or protest
to parents that their children be not given too much liberty; that
parents and guardians accompany children of all ages upon their amuse-
ment excursions.
Chapter I.
Existing Conditions.
CHAPTER I.
EXISTING CONDITIONS IN CHICAGO.
The Commission, in beginning its labors, decided that, in order to
work intelligently, local conditions must be thoroughly known. Much
time and thought were given, to the matter of selection of methods and
the character of the field investigation. To make a complete census
of all houses of ill-fame, flats and assignation houses, with the names
of owners, keepers and inmates, would mean months of work on the
part of a large corps of investigators, and an expenditure of money
beyond the resources of the Commission. It was, therefore, decided t'">
accept such a list as the Police could supply as the basis of investi-
gation, adding to it such other places as might come to the knowledge
of the Commission, directly or indirectly. The General Superintendent
of Police ordered a special census to be taken, showing the disorderly
resorts in the precincts of the city. Such a list was submitted in
August, 1910, and the Commission began its investigation. It was
soon found that the list was incomplete, as shown in another place in
the Commission's report. 1 A second census was taken and the list
submitted to the Commission in October, 1910. This also proved in-
complete, as is shown elsewhere. However, it was decided by the
Commission that, whether a complete census was, or could be obtained,
sufficient information was forthcoming to give a clear knowledge of the
character and extent of the conditions in Chicago.
Seven expert and trained investigators were put in the field. In
order to eliminate as many errors as possible, each investigator's work
was verified and checked up, unbeknown to him, by other investigators.
In some instances this was done three times. We have every reason
to believe, therefore, that the statements contained in this report are
as correct and reliable as could possibly be obtained.
In addition to the field investigators, the conferences with repre-
sentatives of various organizations and citizens, referred to in the
preface of the report, were prolific of much valuable and reliable
information.
School census reports, issued by the Compulsory Department of
'See Chapter III, page 148.
69
70 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
the Board of Education, were most illuminating and reliable, and gave
the Commission much helpful data regarding the dangers to children.
Court records were examined most thoroughly, and tabulated figures
are in possession of the Committee, too voluminous to print in this
report, showing the disposition of cases which relate directly or in-
directly to the Social Evil. The Municipal Court records for the
three years of its existence were most valuable to the Committee on
Law and Legislation in determining the extent to which the laws
now existing had been applied to the local situation.
The rules and regulations, with the daily bulletin of the General
Superintendent of Police, gave such information regarding the re-
peated attempts to regulate the Social Evil in Chicago. In this con-
nection, it is interesting to note the rules and regulations issued by the
Police, which in many instances are disobeyed in part, or in whole. 1
The Commission does not attempt to give absolutely accurate figures
as to the number of professional prostitutes in Chicago. But, taking
the Police list as a basis, even though proved incomplete, and adding
to this the number of resorts found by investigators which are not on
the Police list, and allowing for those which lack of time and money
prevented discovery, the Commission believes, after the most careful
survey, that there are not far from 5,000 who devote their time wholly
to the business of prostitution. In its careful estimation larger figures
would be an exaggeration and probably unfair.
As showing how these figures were obtained, the following may be
of interest.
According to the official Police list issued October 26, 1910, it is
shown that there are 192 houses of prostitution with 2343 rooms in
seven precincts, with 1012 inmates and 189 madames or keepers. In
addition, the list gives 272 flats with 960 rooms, at 151 separate ad-
dresses, with 419 inmates and 252 keepers. The list also contains the
addresses of 42 hotels, with 1222 rooms, which cater to an immoral
flats and hotels contain 4525 rooms used for immoral purposes. This
gives a total of 506 places where immoral conditions exist, at 385 sep-
arate addresses, 449 keepers, and 1431 inmates, or a total of 1880
women engaged in this business. 2
'See Table I, Chapter III, "The Social Evil and the Police."
'Table I.
EXISTING CONDITIONS 71
According to the Commission investigation, there are 514 houses,
flats and hotels and saloons, used for immoral purposes not on the
police list, with 1314 women not included in the police list. This
gives a grand total of known women engaged in the business as 4194.
We again emphasize the fact that the Commission was unable to cover
the entire city in its investigations, and that many resorts, their keep-
ers and inmates, are still unrecorded. The estimation of 5000 is, there-
fore, considered conservative but fair. 1
As intimated, the Commission has not sought to inquire into the
extent of clandestine prostitution in the city. The clandestine prosti-
tutes (or more correctly the immoral girls or women, married or
otherwise) form a large class in Chicago. Because of the peculiar
phase of the evil it was impossible for the Commission to investigate
conditions or make an estimate of the number in this class.
The Commission, after careful examination of the data at hand,
has made an ultra conservative estimate covering the annual profits of
those interested in the Social Evil in Chicago. This includes the
owners, keepers and inmates of the houses and flats given in the
police list; the immoral places discovered and investigated by the
Commission; and the profits from the sale of liquor in resorts and
236 disorderly saloons.
From this estimate the Commission can assert that the annual
profits in the City of Chicago alone, is between 15 and 16 million
dollars. 2
That this is a man problem and that the support of this illicit
traffic in bodies comes from men is easily understood when the fol-
lowing facts are learned.
The Commission makes a rather conservative statement as to the
amount of profit; it makes a similar conservative statement concern-
ing the men who demand service from the prostitute. Taking the
number of women on the police lists alone, (who are in recognized
houses), or 1012, and multiplying that number by the average number
of services daily, or 15 instances, or 15,180 daily, this makes a grand
total of 5,540,700 per annum. 3
In order to bring out vividly the present conditions the Commission
'Tables III-V.
! See page 113.
*See page 114.
72 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
submits the information which immediately follows with typical cases
as illustrations. It must be borne in mind that these typical cases
are but a few of hundreds which have been reported on by investigators
and recorded. They have been carefully selected as being normal and
representative types under the various phases of the problem. Names
and addresses have been suppressed, being designated as (XI),
(X2), etc. The actual names and addresses are in the possession of,
the Commission. This statement is made that it may be understood
that they are real and not hypothetical cases.
The Commission calls attention to the following phases of the evil
based on its investigations.
(a) There has been lax observance of police regulations so long
that police orders are not taken seriously.
(b) That new houses, especially in the flat buildings, are being
established in residential districts to an alarming extent. In fact,
there are more houses of this character in these sections of the city
than in the so-called restricted districts. When the order was issued
prohibiting the sale" of liquor in the houses, many of the keepers moved
from the restricted districts into the residential sections and opened
flats. In other cases the former inmates established small flats with
the assistance of some of their regular customers. The telephone is
the main agency used in conducting these flats. Most keepers have a
list of young girls "on call," that is, girls who are employed during the
day and who are ready to come to these flats during the evenings when
there is a rush of business.
The keepers of houses in flats invariably have young and fresh
girls or know where they can be found. Some of these girls live
in nearby towns and come to Chicago at different times, earn some
pocket money, or enough to buy outfits of clothes, and then return
home. They usually tell other girls of their own neighborhoods of this
"easy graft" and these in turn come to Chicago. Inmates from some
of the smaller flats spend the early hours of the evening soliciting
on the street or in downtown saloons and restaurants where they
increase the number of their acquaintances, giving out cards with
their addresses and telephone numbers. After 1 :00 A. M. they re-
turn to the flats and sell beer and liquor.
(c) There is a large number of men who make a business of con-
EXISTING CONDITIONS 73
ducting houses of prostitution in Chicago. These men are in close
tpuch with cadets and panders and spend most of their leisure time
in gambling. In some houses the keepers insist on the inmates hav-
ing cadets of their own choosing, and these men keep watch over the
girls. In one house of white inmates the "cadets" are all colored
young men.
/
(d) Pervert methods are on the increase in the higher priced
houses. The inmates who perform these services earn from two to
three times as much money as the so-called "regular" girls. In one no-
torious place known all over the country and which caters to a so-
called high class trade, these methods are used almost exclusively.
The inmates gave testimony before the Commission that they do this
on the advice of their physician, who says it prevents disease and
other troubles.
(e) Solicitation is still going on from doorways, stoops and win-
dows of houses, but to a small extent compared with that of former
years. The inmates sit behind curtained windows and as men ap-
proach the houses they tap on the window panes. Lookouts are sta-
tioned near the windows and in front of saloons and warn the so-
licitors when the officer on the beat approaches. In some instances
these lookouts touch an electric bell concealed behind a sign or make
significant motions with their hands.
(f) There is quite a number of massage parlors, manicure estab-
lishments and Turkish baths, especially in the downtown business dis-
trict, which are in reality nothing but houses of prostitution of the
most revolting and insidious type. It is practically impossible to se-
cure legal evidence against these places, and they continue their in-
famous practices.
(g) Assignation hotels are scattered all over the city, especially
in the downtown district, and on the West and North sides. Prosti-
tutes in saloons and on the street use these cheap places. The charge
for rooms varies from 25 cents to $2.00. The conditions in many of
these hotels are insanitary. The furniture is cheap and the beds are
used by many different persons each night without change of linen.
These places, as used by street walkers and women soliciting in
saloons, are the source of the spread of venereal disease to a greater
extent than any other expression of the social evil. There are practically
74 THH SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
no provisions for cleanliness on the part of either the men or the
women.
There are also a great many assignation rooms especially on the
North side from the river to Chicago avenue and on the side streets
West of State. These rooms are used to the same extent as the
hotels and the conditions in them are about the same. These so-called
rooming houses are a source of great danger to young men and women
who are compelled to live in cheap quarters. Young men or women,
strangers in the city, may find themselves living next door or on the
same floor with vile men and women.
(h) The so-called medical inspection of inmates in Chicago by
private physicians employed by madames of houses is practically
worthless and has become a source of graft. Instances have come to
light where inmates have been allowed to remain as workers in houses
when they were afflicted with disease. This has been done with the
knowledge of the attending physician and the keepers.
(i) The conditions regarding immoral shows and exhibitions have
greatly improved, but they are not wholly eradicated. A description
of these shows as given by investigators is too vile and disgusting to
appear in print.
(j) Certain theatrical managers in the city are inclined to present
plays which are on a low moral plane. The advertisements of these
plays, as well as of others, appear on many of the bill boards, and
are offensive to the eyes of decent citizens, and suggestive to the
young boys and girls. Such matters should be adequately supervised
in the interest of public morality.
The investigations conducted by the Commission show that most
of the crimes such as robbery and gambling are committed by men
who are attached to houses of prostitution, or who live off the proceeds
of their women.
But the thefts and crimes of violence in connection with the Social
Evil are no more prevalent than one would naturally expect who is
acquainted with the actual conditions of the existence of the Social
Evil in a large community like Chicago.
There can be no doubt that much money is stolen from men who
take their chances in going into houses of prostitution or consorting
with street walkers. These losses are probably only reported in the
EXISTING CONDITIONS 75
exceptional case, and even the attempted prosecution is often promptly
squelched when, for an example, certain tricks are resorted to by attor-
neys for the defense, such as threatening to bring the complainant's
wife or family into court as witnesses. Any loss would be stood
rather than have this occur, and indeed the shame of acknowledging
the incidents connected with the theft will prevent almost anyone from
reporting the loss to the police. Extortionate charges for small items,
such as in the old days for beer and now-a-days for its substitutes,
form other methods of parting a visitor from his cash. On the other
hand, the older and grosser forms of theft combined with personal
violence and extortion, such as the panel and strong-arm game, have
been largely discontinued, and it must be remembered that those houses
of prostitution which rely upon regular customers and the recommen-
dations of well-to-do people cannot afford, for definite business rea-
sons, to allow criminal transactions to be connected with their places.
The very commercialization of the vice would tend to strip it of the
dangerous connection with crime. No doubt men befuddled by drink
will always be regarded as victims by vicious women, but the chances
of their being unmolested are certainly greater in a regular house,
than when they associate with casual acquaintances in vice. All told,
the Commission has heard of nothing on this point that calls for
special recommendations.
TYPICAL CASES.
The following typical cases are given as illustrations of conditions
surrounding houses, flats, assignation rooms and hotels. 1
7. Houses, (XI) avenue No. (Xla). According to the records this
house is owned by an estate and is under the trusteeship of a woman.
The house is a two-story frame building. The lower floor front is
used as a reception room with a piano which is played by a white
woman who collects money for the music. A man by the name of
(Xlb) operates the house and lives with the keeper. This man checks
up the receipts and pays off the inmates every day at 4 :00 P. M. The
rent for this house is $175.00 per month on a yearly basis. A colored
girl named (X2) has immediate charge and collects the money. The
charge for service is $1.00. The sanitary conditions are very poor.
There are six inmates in the house as follows : l
Text of Laws and Ordinances see Appendices I-II-III-V.
76 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
Eva (X3), is about 30 years of age. Has been an inmate of this
resort for three years. Her parents live in (X3a), Michigan. She
says they are well off. She sends $10.00 home each week for her
parents to save for her. She has no cadet and lives on the premises.
Violet (X4), alias May (X5). May is about 25 years of age*
Been an inmate of this house two and one-half years. Has no cadet.
Lives with another inmate, Ray (X6) at the (X7) Hotel (X8) State
street.
Ray (X9). Fictitious name. Ray was brought to this city five
years ago from New York by (X10). She claims to have been inno-
cent up to this time. Is about 24 years of age. (X10) put her in (X12)
house on Custom House place. She lived with him and gave him her
money for about six months. This inmate lives with Margaret (X13)
at the (X14) Hotel. She and Margaret leave the resort at 4:00 A. M. ;
they must return at 2 :00 P. M. except on their day off.
Pearl. Last name not given ; about 21 years of age. Been in house
one year.
Mignon. About 23 years of age. Been in house two years. Lives
on premises.
Fifie. About 28 years old. Been in house two years. Lives on
premises.
II. Disease in House of Prostitution. This is a case of an in-
mate afflicted with syphilis who was allowed to remain in the house,
the keeper and her physicians knowing of her disease.
Bebet (X15). Born in (X16), Mo., came to Chicago about 10 years
ago. She is 28 years of age, and seems to be fairly well educated.
She still writes to her parents. She entered the (X17) House at (X18)
avenue, owned by (X19) and kept for him by Madame (X20), (X21)
avenue. Is on Police List. In August, 1908, when Bebet contracted
this disease, she went to Dr. (X22), (X23) State street, who grad-
uated from (X24), a night medical school, in 1902. At this time Dr.
(X25) was house physician for (X26) avenue. Dr. (X27) wanted
$200.00 to cure her. He gave her a prescription but she did not have it
filled, as she did not want this doctor to treat her, because he was a
negro. She then went to Dr. (X28), 22nd street, corner of (X29)
and she gave him $100.00. This doctor treated her for some time
without results. One day necrosis of the palm of the hand set in
and she was advised to go to Dr. (X30), (X31) street. This doctor
wanted $400.00 to cure her. She made arrangements to pay a stated
amount on each visit. At this time she was forced to give up her
service in the house; the week she was in bed was the only time she
refrained from rendering service. All of the physicians knew she was
receiving men. The landlady, (X32), offered no objections. At one
time she was so hoarse she could not talk and her mouth was so sore
real names of girls referred to throughout this report have been changed
practically in every instance.
EXISTING CONDITIONS 77
she could not eat. Dr. (X33) gave her a red mouth wash and later
told her it was time to go to Hot Springs, which she did. Bebet is
now living with a man on (X34) avenue when she was seen by in-
vestigator. Later, Jan., 1911; Bebet is now an inmate of (X35) ave-
nue. There are eighteen girls in this house, and twelve of them, it
is claimed, have syphilis. 1
///. Immoral Shows in Houses. (X36) street, on police list.
Owner (X37), keeper (X38). Eight inmates, according to the police
list.
On October 2, 1910, about 11 :30 P. M., eight men entered this house
and were taken to the rear parlor. Four girls took part in the show.
The description of this show and the one given at (X39) Dearborn
street is too vile to print.
IV. Sale of Beer in Houses. (X40) street. On police list.
On October 8, 1910, investigator purchased a pint bottle of beer in
this resort, for which he paid the sum of $1.00. At hrst the madame
did not want to serve the beer, saying they had been prohibited from
doing so on May 1. She said she was not afraid of trouble, but they
only sold to persons they knew personally. She sold beer to the in-
vestigator whom she did not know.
(X41) West Madison street. On Police List. (X42) two inmates.
On October 24th investigator purchased beer at 25 cents per pint in
this house. When the Police came around to see if there was beer in
this place, they looked in the ice box, and not rinding any, went away.
As a matter of fact the beer was kept in the flush box in the toilet
room. The keeper, Mrs. (X43), is a notorious woman well known
to the police.
During the evening of November 17th, while investigator was in the
(X44) saloon at (X45) Dearborn street, a colored maid from a house
of ill-fame, (X46) Dearborn street, came in with a large shawl over
her shoulders. She went to the bar and was given six bottles of beer,
which she covered with the shawl and left the saloon. She did not pay
for the beer, but the charge was noted down by the bartender.
Not long afterward a maid from a house of ill-fame at (X47) Dear-
born street came into this same saloon and was given six bottles of
beer, which were concealed in the same manner. The charge was also
noted down by the bartender.
V. Exploitation of Inmates. An inmate of (X48) avenue said
that the kimona she had on could be purchased over the counter for
$3.00. She had paid $15.00 for it to a man who came to the house. Of
this amount the madame received $9.00 and the salesman $6.00. She
Commissioner of Health has placarded certain houses because venereal
diseases were known to exist therein.
78 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
further stated that the madame receives a "rake-off" on everything the
girls purchase. They never "kick" on any bills. They know they get
"the worst of it" all the time. Neither does the madame "kick" at
her bills; they are paid without question, every bill, whether for light,
ice, laundry, coal, etc., is padded, and they are compelled "to stand
for it."
Jan. 29. Dolly, an inmate of (X49) avenue, recently paid (X50),
keeper of the house, $110.00 for a hat, which he had bought for $40.00.
Another inmate of this house paid this same man $65.00 for a dress
which he had purchased for $35.00. Two weeks ago this same man
had a number of rings which he had purchased for $5.00 and $7.00.
He sold $5.00 rings to inmates for $11.00 and $15.00 and the $7.00 rings
for $20.00. He is continually urging the girls to buy clothes, hats,
jewelry and other things.
VI. Methods of Advertising. The madames of houses, like the
proprietors of other enterprises always have regular business cards
which they distribute as occasion requires. The inmates also use
cards with which they endeavor to establish a regular line of cus-
tomers.
A Dearborn street resort distributes a very elaborate booklet which
describes in glowing terms the comforts to be found within the walls
of that "sumptuous" house. In fact no one need "feel the chill of
winter nor the heat of summer" in this place.
The madames of flats also have cards and a system of passing
the word along to exclusive gentlemen who desire "quiet and safe ac-
commodations."
Girls on the streets and in saloons use cards giving telephone num-
bers and suggestive inscriptions.
The chief advertising, however, is the district itself. The lighted
street, the sound of music, the shrill cries and suggestive songs of the
inmates and entertainers, all of these features tend to bring the busi-
ness to the attention of the public and to spread the news to other
towns and cities.
The recent Gypsy Smith parade gave the 22nd street district un-
fortunate advertising both in this city and throughout the county. The
scenes in 'this district after the parade were beyond description; hun-
dreds of men and women of mature years and an equal number of
young men and women apparently from respectable walks of life who
EXISTING CONDITIONS 79
had never been in the district before were drawn there. Reliable per-
sons who went to observe the effects of the parade declare the
saloons never did such a large business nor were the houses so crowded
with men and boys.
VII. Men Connected with Houses. For several years it has been
customary for a certain political club to give an annual ball in the
Coliseum for the purpose of raising money for a campaign fund. This
ball was notorious from the fact that those who attended it were for the
most part immoral women and men who are engaged in the social evil
business, the sale of liquor and gambling. The giving of this ball has
always been a disgrace to the City of Chicago.
It is the opinion of the Commission that this and any other similar
affair should never be allowed again.
VIII. Flats. (X51) South Park avenue. Flat (X52), not on
Police List. Bee (X53) solicited on Indiana avenue to go to this place.
Price of room, $2.00.
(X54) Indiana avenue. Not on Police List. Kept by Mrs. (X55).
She has a list of girls whom she calls in by telephone. Rents rooms for
$2.00. Has been in this business two years. During this time she has
paid for a home. Investigator was solicited on street to go to this flat.
(X56) East 21st street. Esther (X57) lives in flat (X58). She is
18 years old and came from Michigan. Beer is sold here, price $1.00
per bottle. There are 18 flats in this building which are used for im-
moral purposes.
(X59) West 22nd street. On Police List. Addie (X60) lives on top
floor. Said she paid a fine of $200.00 for selling beer two months ago.
On November 15th detectives went through the flat and searched for
beer, but only looked in the ice boxes. The beer was on the fire escape,
and it was sold for $1.00 per quart.
One woman, Mollie (X61), lives near Oak Park and solicits in
(X62). Her husband is dying in (X62a). She said that she began this
life only recently because of her extra expense in caring for her hus-
band.
A TYPICAL FLAT.
During the month of September, investigator discovered a flat which
is being conducted as a house- of prostitution in a large apartment
house in a residential section of the city.
As the woman who operated this place seemed willing to talk,
and was not suspicious, it was determined to find out as much as pos-
sible about the method of conducting such a place, as, ownership,
80 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
agent, securing inmates, prices, sale of beer, police, etc. Four in-
vestigators at different times, one a woman, worked on this case
and their findings, all of which were verified, are given below.
Ownership of Property. According to the records the owner of this
building is Emma (X63), living at (X64) East 24th street.
Real Estate Agent. The real estate agent, according to the rent
collector, is (X65), (X66) Dearborn street.
Rent Collector. A man by the name of (X67) collects the rents.
He lives at (X68) East 24th street, the same address as the owner of
the property. Investigator called on Mr. (X67) and spoke of renting
one of the flats in this building giving him to understand that he
wanted it for immoral purposes. Mr. (X67) said that he was only the
attorney for the building, but would see what he could do.
Keeper of Flat. The particular flat in this building which was
investigated in on the police list. Mrs. (X71) is the keeper. She has
been in this business between four and five years. At one time she
lived on East 33rd street. Mrs. (X71) has been very successful
and has a home which she has purchased out of the proceeds of her
business. At present she wants to retire and offers her furniture and
business for $1,400.00.
Description of Flat. There are six rooms in this apartment, four
of these being bedrooms. A couch is in the dining room for special
occasions. There is a bath room and a kitchen.
Expenses of Conducting the Flat. The rent is $50.00 per month,
legitimate price $30.00, light about $3.50, maid $5.00 per week. In
addition to this the expense for laundry, ice and food must be added.
Receipts. Mrs. (X71) said the lowest amount taken in by her in
a month was $165.00, the highest $340.00. She charges each of her
Iwo inmates from $10.00 to $15.00 per week for board. The prices
charged in this flat are $5.00, $7.00 and $10.00 according to the length
of time the customer stays. She receives $2.00 on every $5.00 earned
by the girls. In addition she sells beer at $1.00 per bottle, and rents
her rooms to couples for such prices as $2.00 for a short time and
$4.00 and $5.00 for all night.
Securing Inmates. This keeper seems to take great pride in the
fact that her girls are always fresh, young and attractive. She will
not have a prostitute in her place who has ever been in houses of
ill-fame, such as exist on Dearborn street and (X69) avenue. These
girls, she said, will never do in a quiet place. They love excitement,
the music, lights and large business at small prices. They also want
to have cadets. Once she took such a girl, but she could not keep her
as she longed to return to the excitement of her former life and her
cadet.
EXISTING CONDITIONS 81
The girls who do come to her, are in many instances from sur-
rounding towns or from other States. They stay long enough to earn
a few clothes and then return home, where they tell other girls of the
easy way they earned their clothes.
Mrs. (X71) has a list of 20 or 22 girls who have been with her
at different times. They come and go.
One of the girls now in the flat is called Rosie. This girl lives in
Iowa and was so wild at home, that her mother could do nothing with
her so she came to Chicago. Sometimes Rosie and the keeper have a
quarrel and the girl returns home. After awhile she writes and says
she wants to return to the flat, so Mrs. (X71) sends her a ticket.
Rosie is one of a family of three or four boys and three girls. One
of these sisters, called Violet, has also been an inmate of the flat and
comes occasionally. Rosie's mother says she realizes that Mrs.
(X71) can do more with her daughter than she can so she allows
her to come.
The last time Violet was in the flat she stayed 10 days and earned
$50.00, then went home again. She is 25 years old. Rosie is younger
and a good money maker. During July, Rosie earned $156.00 as her
share. During 27 days in August she earned $171.00.
Customers. The men who come to this flat are mostly married.
Mrs. (X71) says they are "gentlemen" and do not make any trouble.
They prefer a place that is quiet and secret. Other customers are
buyers from commercial houses, bringing out of town men who are
here to purchase goods. In addition to this there are many traveling
men who bring friends who gradually become regular customers.
The Flat as a Call House. The business in Mrs. (X71) flat depends
largely on the telephone service. The girls are summoned to go to
similar flats about town if they are needed, and in turn Mrs. (X71)
secures girls from other flats when her regular inmates are out when a
customer calls. For instance on September 20th the investigator was
in the flat when only one girl was at home. In a few moments a tele-
phone call came for the girl, Helen (X80), to go to a flat near by.
On September 30th a 'phone call came for three girls to go to (X81)
restaurant on Madison street and report in the back room where they
had been the previous night. There was only one girl in the flat at
the time, so Mrs. (X71) called up Calumet (X83) and Douglas (X84)
and arranged for two other girls to meet this girl and go to the
restaurant.
Renting a Flat. Mrs. (X71) gave the investigator who was the
supposed purchaser of her flat, the following advice regarding the
renting of a flat for immoral purposes :
"Do not go to an agent, they will increase the rent. Ask the
servants or janitor the price. You can rent furnished rooms, but
only from month to month from different keepers who want to
go away or take a rest. But you must be careful for they often
come back and put you out after you Jiave started."
82 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
She then mentioned a Mrs. (X86) and said she charges $60.00 for
her $40.00 flat on such terms.
Another one of the keepers was Edna (X87) who has three flats
at (X88) Wabash avenue. Edna has been in this business since she
was 21 years of age, and has conducted these flats with her sister
seven years. She does not keep girls in the flat except during the
time when there is some special celebration in Chicago. During a re-
cent celebration which continued for one week she made $700.00. At
such times she gives her inmates half the proceeds. Her prices are
$5.00 an hour, $7.00 and $10.00 for longer periods. She receives
$1.00 for beer, 50 cents for a glass of wine, $3.00 for a pint of cham-
pagne and $5.00 for a quart of champagne.
She declares that her customers are all first class, managers, buy-
ers and salesmen from department stores, such as (X89), the different
clubs and hotels. She is tired of it and wants to sell out, buy an orange
grove in California and be a good woman. She took care of her
mother and father for years, but they are now dead. She never mar-
ried and would not have a cadet. She claims to make from $6,000.00
to $7,000.00 each year. Her rent is $37.50 per month. Not long ago,
a former keeper, Rose (X90) came to the flat and asked Edna to put
her on call. At one time this woman had $150,000.00, but she gave it
all to a man and is now penniless.
IX. Sale of Liquor in Houses, Flats and Hotels. The profits from
the sale of beer and other liquors in these places is enormous. 1
Madames of houses and flats testify that the privilege to sell
liquor in connection with the business is a valuable asset and if de-
prived of it their business as a whole would suffer. In many houses
the inmates spend practically all of their time during the early part
of the evening in persuading visitors to buy drinks. One of the most
practical moves to reduce the evil effects of this business as it ex-
ists in houses and flats is to strictly enforce the regulation forbidding
the sale of liquor in those places. This is seen by the effect of the
police order issued May 1, 1910. As a result, rents of houses in the
restricted districts have decreased, many inmates have been compelled
to leave the district, madames have established houses elsewhere, and a
general depression has settled down on the business.
The madame at (X91) Dearborn street told investigator that this
house previously rented for $500.00; after the order went into effect
she only pays $250.00. She would be more than glad to pay the
$500.00 if she could sell beer.
^ee page 111.
EXISTING CONDITIONS 83
Another madame declared that the income from her business had
decreased $2,000.00 per month since this order was issued. One in-
mate said that the girls were each losing from $25.00 to $45.00 per
week on commissions.
One keeper of a regular house on Dearborn street, at least, has become
so desperate that he is remodeling his house, which is connected with
a saloon on the corner, and turning it into a hotel. His plan is to
secure a hotel license in order to evade the regulation.
The atmosphere at the present time in houses where liquor is not
sold is far different from what it was before. The girls, deprived of
this stimulant, are depressed and sullen. They sit about the parlor
making feeble efforts to earn commissions on the soft drinks which
are sold at the same prices formerly charged for beer, but the sales
are small.
Another trouble which has grown out of the order, according to
some, is the practice of visitors of bringing bottles of whiskey into
these resorts and taking them to the rooms of inmates and compelling
them to drink. Many of the inmates are not used to strong intoxi-
cants, and they resent this sort of treatment. As every one knows, a
person who is a beer drinker, does not, as a rule, touch whiskey and
vice versa.
Another objection is made by the madames. They consider it a
great injustice for them to be deprived of the benefits of selling
liquor, when a saloon probably on the same street or next door, which
uses immoral women as an adjunct to its business in the rear rooms,
and which is in reality a house of ill fame, is unmolested.
Of course, the objections by madames and keepers are not to be
considered, but there is one bad feature which can and should be
remedied. The effect of the police rule has been good as shown by
the objections of the madames and inmates. The bad feature is that
a large number of the inmates, through the aid of friends, have es-
tablished private flats in residential sections where they are free to
sell beer and liquor unmolested. Some of the madames have also
moved into residential sections, taking with them a certain number
of inmates, the others going on the streets or are frequently in the rear
rooms of saloons.
This has increased the trouble in controlling the evil in these sec-
tions.
84 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
X. Massage Parlors and Baths. One of the most insidious and re-
volting forms of immorality in Chicago is that which finds its ex-
pression in so-called massage parlors and baths. It has not been
possible to make an extended investigation of this phase of the prob-
lem. Enough has been done, however, to show that it does exist and to
recommend that a more vigilant supervision be exercised over them.
Fortunately, this revolting type of immorality is not as extensive as it
might be.
These so-called massage parlors and baths are for the most part
located in the down town districts, within the loop.
XL Hotels. (X92) Hotel. (X93) West Erie street. Not on police
list. Minnie solicited on street for this hotel.
October 4th. (X94) Hotel, (X95) North Clark street. Not on
police list. Woman soliciting by the name of (X96) said this place was
an assignation place.
(X97) Hotel, (X98) North Clark street. Not on police list. In-
vestigator was solicited on North Clark street by Hilda (X99) and
Chilla (X100) to go to this hotel.
(X101) Hotel, (X102) North Clark street. Not on police list.
Investigator solicited on North Clark street by Hilda (X103) and
Chilla (X104) at different times to go to this hotel.
(X105) West Madison street. On police list. Solicited investigator
on street to go to this hotel.
Hotel (X106), (X107) West Monroe. May solicited investigator to
go to this hotel.
Hotel (X108), Wabash avenue. Eight girls solicited investigator to
go to this hotel.
Hotel (X109), State street. Six girls solicited investigator to go to
this hotel.
Hotel (X110) Plymouth court. Ruth solicited investigator to go to
this hotel.
Hotel (Xlll), Michigan avenue. Maud solicited investigator to go
to this hotel.
XII. Use of Cocaine and Morphine by Prostitutes. It is generally
recognized that immoral women and their "cadets" are addicted to the
use of cocaine and morphine as well as other drugs and liquor. Most
of the cocaine purchased by habitues is secured through physicians.
Much of the morphine is nearly always obtained from druggists by
merely asking for it and paying the price asked.
In a canvas of drug stores outside the restricted district it was
found that they do not sell more than three drams of cocaine and four
ounces of morphine each month. On the other hand the four drug
EXISTING CONDITIONS 85
stores within this district sell at least four pounds of morphine and
six ounces of cocaine each month. It is practically impossible to as-
certain exactly how much cocaine or morphine any particular drug
store buys in spite of the fact that wholesale houses keep a record. The
druggist who sells cocaine illegally, orders some through his friends or
orders direct from the manufacturer. Again the records of the whole-
sale houses are apt to be in error. For instance a clerk in a drug store
at (X112) West 22nd street turned in an order for one ounce of
cocaine and asked for three ounces, which were given him. The
records show he ordered one ounce. This is often done.
It appears that prostitutes use little cocaine as compared with the
amount of morphine they consume.
TYPICAL CASES.
There are four druggists whose method of catering to the pros-
titutes is to send clerks to their respective customers in the various
houses of prostitution to solicit orders, including cocaine and mor-
phine.
(XI 13) makes up one ounce vials of cocaine in one per cent,
solution which he sells under great secrecy. He caters to the
(X114), (X115) avenue, where two prostitutes named Blanche and
Alice order on an average of 500 tablets a week of morphine sul-
phate, using a hypodermic syringe and injecting the drug. He
also caters to a house operated by madame (X116), (X117) ave-
nue, where Florence, a prostitute, uses on an average thirteen
grains of morphine and cocaine interchangeably every day.
At the (X118), (X119) Dearborn street, Violet and Bebe have
been buying morphine in large quantities from (X120). He also
supplies cocaine to Rosie (X121) avenue. He carries a large stock
of hypodermic syringes which he sells to habitues, and prostitutes
known to him are in the habit of going to the store, stepping
behind the counter and obtaining morphine and cocaine without
any record being kept.
The (X122) Drug Store, (X123) 21st street, also has a clerk
soliciting orders in a similar manner. In (X124) avenue, known
as (X125), practically every girl in the house uses cocaine or
morphine which were introduced by a prostitute named Sadie
(X126), who originally purchased the drug at the (X127) Drug
Store and who now caters to their trade.
(X128), corner of (X129) and (X130), have a boy called
(X130a) who solicits orders in a like manner from a number of
the larger houses, and procures orders for as much as one ounce
of cocaine and ten ounces of morphine a day.
86 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
Such drug stores as (X131) Pharmacy, (X131a), and (X132)
street, and (X133) Dearborn street, have boys who solicit from
the various houses.
Many prescription blanks have been presented to the drug stores
in that locality bearing the name of Dr. (X136), (X137) street.
Upon investigation it was found that this was a fictitious name, and
that these prescriptions were for the most part incorrectly written.
Nevertheless they were filled by druggists in that vicinity.
The physician, the most important element in the sale of cocaine,
disobeys the law more openly than the druggist. It has been claimed
that practically all physicians who examine inmates in houses dispense
cocaine and morphine.
Dr. (X138), (X139) State street, while treating a girl at
(X140) Dearborn street, accustomed her to the use of mor-
phine and cocaine. He still continues to furnish her with pre-
scriptions for these drugs. There are at present two girls' at
(X141) avenue who also secure morphine and cocaine through
Dr. (X138).
Dr. (X143), (X144), is the examining physician in a house of
ill fame. Many of the inmates claim to secure their drugs from
him.
Investigator claims to have seen many prescriptions of Dr.
(X145), (X146) State street, calling for cocaine.
It is well known by inmates that a physician, (X147), (X148)
22nd street, will for the price of $1.00 administer a hypodermic
injection of cocaine. On or about March 15, 1910, a cocaine
victim called (X149), an actor, visited Dr. (XI 50) and secured
from him six prescriptions for cocaine for $6.00.
During the first two weeks of September, 1910, Sadie (X151),
an inmate at (X152) avenue, a house owned by (X153), was
rooming at (X154) South State street with another inmate who
is a street solicitor named "Tantine." Tantine has in her pos-
session a complete hop layout, and was teaching Sadie how to
smoke opium. They are not living together now. Sadie has
discontinued the practice. She informed investigator that Tan-
tine purchased opium in a playing card which was bent in half
with a wad of opium stuck in the inside like an ordinary piece of
chewing gum. She purchased the opium in this form at (X155)
drug store, (X156) street, and (X157). She also purchased it
from Chinamen, who sold it put up in the following form. An
ordinary Chinese nut is cut in half, the kernel being removed, the
hollow shell is then filled with opium, and the two parts of the
shell are glued together. It is then sold in this manner, which
makes it very difficult to detect from the ordinary nut. She
said she was in two places with Tantine where she had purchased
EXISTING CONDITIONS 87
it in that form, both being on Clark street near Harrison. She
does not know the exact number.
During the early part of the year 1909, Sadie (Xlol) roomed
with an immoral woman called "Carmen" who also solicited at
(X159) avenue and purchased cocaine from (X160). She had a
little box which was used for cocaine only. Sadie further states
that she is acquainted with a young man whose name she does not
remember, who comes in{o the house to see her quite often. This
man is the owner of an opium den on (X161) street. He has in-
vited her down there at various times, but she does not like the
idea of going alone. (X162) of (X163) drug store secures her
orders for drugs now. She says (X164) is an old friend of hers,
and formerly supplied her with morphine tablets, but she does not
use any at present.
XIII. Owners and Real Estate Agents. The court records show
that practically no effort has been made during the past three years to
prosecute owners and real estate agents who are leasing and renting
property for immoral purposes. The law affecting these persons is a
dead letter.
The reasons for this are very apparent, first, the indifference of
the public, and second, but perhaps the most vital, is because such
property brings an exorbitant rate of interest on the capital in-
vested.
These artificial values in the last analysis are the basis of a great
many difficulties in connection with the problem of the social evil. It
was shown that the main reason why it is so difficult to suppress
prostitution in connection with saloons was because of the enormous
profits which are made from drinks in the rear rooms and from the
rental of rooms over the saloon. The same argument applies to as-
signation hotels.
This difficulty is very apparent When entire houses or apartments
are rented outright for this purpose. On the West Side there are a
number of properties which are practically worthless for legitimate
purposes. A business man endeavored to buy a lot on which was
erected a frame building, which was being used as a house of ill fame.
The lot is 90 feet and the owner was offered $36,000.00, or $400.00
per front foot. He declined to sell, saying that he was securing an
income on a value of $700.00 per front foot, and that he would not
sell even for that amount.
J See Chapter II, "The Social Evil and the Saloon
88 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
In another instance a lot was held for $450.00 per front foot, when
its legitimate value was only $350.00.
In still another case a lot was held for $850.00 per front foot when
its appraised value by an expert for legitimate purposes was only
$500.00.
The amazing part of the whole matter is that while these properties
are so valuable to the owner, the taxes on them are practically noth-
ing in comparison. The assessments are on a legitimate basis.
There is another side of the story also. While these properties are
increasing in value, without a cent of expense on the part of the
owner in improvements, the property in the neighborhood is decreasing,
or at a standstill.
The Commission has secured a large list of owners of houses where
prostitution is openly practiced. In some instances these owners are
vile and abandoned men who make a business of exploiting these un-
fortunate women. And side by side with these men, ignorant and vile,
stand so-called respectable citizens who are also sharing in the in-
creased values from property used to extend the business of prostitu-
tion. Indeed evidence has been produced tending to show that a highly
honored and respectable company, in whose hands respectable citizens
entrust their money, has apparently assumed the trusteeship of four
of the vilest houses of ill-fame in the 22nd street restricted district.
Another disgraceful fact is that some ostensibly respectable women
are owners or have control of property where prostitution is practiced.
Again several wealthy and prominent business men, whose advice
is sought in matters pertaining to the civic welfare and development
of Chicago, are leasing their houses on (X164a) street and (X164b)
avenue for this business. One of these men has six houses in a part
of the district where the most disgusting and flagrant violations of the
law and police rules occur. Young men hardly out of their teens have
been seen reeling in an intoxicated condition from one of these houses
to the other. One Saturday night it was all one officer could do to
keep a crowd of drunken young men moving and prevent fights on the
streets. In one instance he brutally kicked a young fellow and shoved
him into the street. In another instance, at the request of the keeper
of one of these low resorts, the officer entered her house and threw a
drunken young man out on the street, menacing him with his club.
EXISTING CONDITIONS 89
A field investigation was made in order to determine the ease with
which flats and houses can be leased from real estate agents for
immoral purposes. During the month of October investigator visited
65 real estate agents and owners, most of whom were of the city, located
in residential sections of the city, and in 44 instances they offered to
rent rooms and flats. In each instance the investigator stated she
wanted to rent the premises for a "sporting house."
TYPICAL INSTANCES.
South Side Of the 22 real estate owners and agents visited on the
South Side, 15 were willing to rent flats or houses for immoral pur-
poses. Among these were the following:
Mr. (X165), said to be agent or owner of flat building from
(X166) to (X167) Wabash avenue. He offered to rent a five
room flat on the third floor of one of these buildings for $35.00
per month. The applicant could have same for two months, rent
in advance, if she behaved herself and did not play the piano after
11 :00 P. M. She must be careful whom she let in and to whom
she sold beer.
Mr. (X165) said it was not necessary to "stand in" with the
officer on the beat, but must be with the "higher ups."
(X169) Wabash avenue. Janitor told investigator that she might
be able to sublet a flat in this building. The agent was (X170).
One office being at (X171) East 47th street. This firm also rents
the (X172) flats at (X173) East 21st street. There are 18 im-
moral flats in this building.
(XI 74) East 23rd street. Janitor showed investigator a flat
of six rooms for $37.50 per month. (X175) in a saloon nearby,
rented the flats. The owner was an old man who was away much
of the time. Could do anything in this place, but must be quiet.
(X176), (X177) Wabash avenue. One of the aldermen of the
(X176) ward. (X179) showed investigator a flat at (X180)
22nd street, rent $35.00 per month. It was a very dirty place.
The agent said she could do as she pleased in this flat.
West Side. Of the 11 real estate agents visited on the West Side,
eight were willing to rent flats or houses for immoral purposes.
(X181), (X182), West Madison street. Agent said he was
sure the landlord would rent a flat at (X183) West Van Buren
street for $25.00 or at (X184) Honore street for $22.50 for that
purpose. Was not sure about (X185) West Madison street.
90 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
(X186), (X187) West Madison street. Agent tried to induce
investigator to buy a house. He had just the thing and would
divide the commission with her. The house he mentioned was
(X188) West Monroe, price $7,500.00. He had another place at the
corner of (X189) terrace, southwest corner (X190) street, $60.00
per month. Advised investigator to go and see the house, de-
claring she could make a "pile of money" if house was run right
and quiet. "Then," he added, "we can help you."
(X191), (X192) West Madison street. Agent offered to rent
flats at (X193) West Madison street, 2nd flat $40.00, 3rd flat
$40.00, very poor, no heat. (X194) West Madison street, 2nd
flat $40.00. He said she would have to see the lieutenant of
(X195) station before renting any of these places and fix it up
with him. He then told investigator to go to (X196), (X197)
West Madison street and talk with her. This woman conducts a
disorderly house at this address, which is on the police list. She
has one inmate. She told investigator that she did not sell liquor.
North Side Of the 12 real estate agents visited on the North Side,
10 were willing to rent flats or houses for immoral purposes.
(X200), (X201) North Clark street. Agent offered to rent
house, seven rooms, at (X202) Roscoe street for $47.50 for im-
moral purposes.
(X203), (X204) North Clark street. Agent gave the following
addresses: (X205) Roscoe street, $45.00; (X206) Evanston ave-
nue, $65,00, and (X207) Roscoe street, $50.00. All of these are
houses. The agent cautioned the investigator not to tell the land-
lord what the house was to be used for.
(X208), (X209) Lincoln avenue. Had one flat he could rent
for immoral purposes, at (X210) Fremont street, 2nd flat, eight
rooms, steam heat, $40.00.
(X211), (X212) Lincoln avenue. Agent submitted the follow-
ing for immoral purposes:
(X213) Seminary avenue, $33.00.
(X214) Newport avenue, $32.00.
(X215), (X216) submitted the following for immoral purposes:
(X217) Sheffield avenue, $35.00.
(X218) Early avenue, $33.00.
(X219) Southport avenue, $45.00.
(X220), (X221) North Clark street. Agent submitted the fol-
lowing places which could be rented for immoral purposes:
(X222) Briar place, 7 rooms, $35.00.
(X223) Oakdale avenue, 8 rooms, $45.00.
(X224) Oakdale avenue, 9 rooms, $47.50.
(X225) Barry avenue, 8 rooms, $37.50.
(X226) Barry avenue, 7 rooms, $35.00.
Mr. (X227) accompanied investigator to (X222) Briar place,
and said they needed a good house out there. He said he knew
EXISTING CONDITIONS 91
of a woman on Wilson avenue who had a place and a list of
married women she called in when necessary. He offered to do
all he could to help investigator to secure a good business and
put her "on to" a man who would send all the women she needed.
The Loop Of the 11 real estate agents visited, eight offered to rent
flats or houses for immoral purposes or said they did do such business.
(X229), (X230) Washington street gave the following ad-
dresses and said they might have something by December 1st :
(X231) Calumet avenue, 1st flat, $32.00.
(X232) Calumet avenue, $35.00.
(X233), room (X234), (X235) Dearborn street submitted
(X236) Ellis avenue, nine rooms. Offered to show place, after
he had seen the owner. Asked how many inmates she would have.
(X237), room (X238), (X239) Washington street submitted
(X240) Michigan avenue. Rent, $50.00, which he said would be
vacant in about one month. Advised seeing the janitor, Mr.
(X241).
(X242), (X243) Dearborn street. Investigator spoke to Mr.
(X242). He said he had nothing in that line except in the very
cheapest neighborhoods.
XIV. Street Solicitation It is only fair to say that the conditions
on the streets in the downtown business district at present are much
better than they have been in many years in the City of Chicago. This
improvement has been gradual during the past three or four years.
It seems, however, that the policy of restriction has been carried out
in regard to street walking in much the same way as to houses. While
street solicitors have been seen in respectable residential sections, the
most flagrant violations occur in certain districts of the city, and on
certain streets. Roughly speaking these sections and streets are as
follows :
The downtown business district, on such streets as Wabash
(south from Van Buren) to Peck court, from thence to State street,
the side streets, and on State to Van Buren.
In vicinity of the 22d street restricted district, and as far south as
63d street.
On the North Side from the river on Clark and the side streets, west
of State to Chicago avenue, and even beyond.
On the West Side, on such streets as Madison, Halsted, Green,
Peoria, Sangamon.
The following extract from a report made by a missionary worker
gives her impression of conditions on the North Side:
92 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
"From the river to Chicago avenue, including Wells, LaSalle
and Clark streets, are certainly growing worse very fast. It is
simply alarming. Dearborn avenue, North Clark street, is fast
becoming a red light district. I have worked in all these places,
and can speak from deep experience. It is going farther north
all the time, even as far as North avenue. On all the cross streets,
from the river to Chicago avenue, one can see soliciting going on
almost any time of night."
This conclusion has been verified by the field investigation. One
worker who has covered the North Side from the river to Chicago
avenue, State, Wells and Clark, and all intersecting streets, three dif-
ferent times in as many years, declares that conditions are worse in
that section than they were three years ago. Prostitutes are soliciting
on practically all of these streets. For instance, on North State street,
from Michigan to Chicago avenue; on North Clark the women walk
from Kinzie as far as North avenue, and openly solicit in front of
rooming houses, and entrances to hotels. On LaSalle avenue, from
Michigan street to Chicago avenue, the same conditions exist.
Again on Wells street, girls from the rear rooms of saloons en-
deavor to entice men to go to rooms over saloons, or to the rear rooms
for drinks. On Indiana from Wells to Clark, Erie street, from Wells
to State, Ohio from Wells to State, Huron from Wells to State,
Ontario from Wells to State, street solicitation prevails.
There are two classes of prostitutes on the streets, professional and
semi-professional. By the latter is meant girls who are employed dur-
ing the day, and use this method of finding excitement or increasing
their income. The ages of these girls range from 16 to 21, and they
work in department stores, factories, as domestic servants, as waitresses,
as stenographers, and in other occupations.
The following typical cases illustrate the foregoing statements :
North Side Carmen solicited on North Clark street near Divi-
sion. She did not appear to be over 18 years of age, was timid
and seemed afraid. Lives on LaSalle avenue. Works downtown.
Takes men to hotel on West Erie street.
Lucille solicited on street. Lives on Dearborn avenue. Will go
to any hotel. Frequents buffet on North Clark street. Lucille
is about 20 years of age. Coarse and ignorant.
Flossie solicited on corner of Ohio and Clark streets to go to
hotel over saloon on North Clark street.
November 15th investigator was solicited by nine different street
walkers on the corner of Michigan and North Clark streets from
8:55 to 9:15 P. M.
EXISTING CONDITIONS 93
All of the women invited him to go to a hotel on North Clark
street. This hotel has an entrance from the back room of a
saloon on North Clark street.
The price asked by the women was $1.00 and 50 cents for the
room.
10:30 until 11:30 P. M. saw four different girls soliciting on
North Clark street, from Ohio to Indiana.
Violet solicited five men from Indiana to Illinois on North Clark
street from 8 :30 to 9 :00 P. M.
Bete solicited in front of palm garden on North avenue; said
her father worked for street department, and don't give her any
money or clothes. She goes with fellows for 50 cents; knows of
no place to go except up the track near Division street. She said
she was 17 years old. Speaks poor English. Has been in country
five years.
1 :30 to 2 :00 A. M. Nine girls soliciting from Erie to Huron.
10:00 to 10:30 P. M. Seven girls soliciting on North Clark
from Huron to Erie.
8 :00 to 9 :00 P. M. Four girls soliciting on Ohio from North
Clark to LaSalle avenue.
9 :00 to 10 :00 P. M. Ten girls on North Clark street from On-
tario to Ohio streets.
After 10:00 P. M. Five girls on Ontario from North Clark
to LaSalle avenue.
September 9th, 9:00 to 9:30 P. M. Fourteen girls soliciting
on corner of Illinois and North Clark.
West Side. October 13th. Flossie, 21 years of age, a waitress,
solicited on corner of Ada and West Madison streets to go to
(X245) West Madison street, where she has a room.
Paulette solicited on corner of Curtis and West Madison streets,
is 22 years old, married. "Hustles" to support two-year-old baby.
Said she could get a room on West Madison street.
Mignon solicited on street to go to hotel on West Madison street.
Mignon said she was 19 years old.
South Side Investigator was solicited on Indiana avenue be-
tween 42nd and 43rd streets by two girls. One named (X246),
married to a traveling salesman, and lives on (X247) avenue,
near (X248) street. She is employed during the day in the
(X249) building, one goes out at night "on the quiet." Will not
take anyone home, but will go to hotels or assignation houses. The
other woman, Rosie, is married and lives in Milwaukee, where
she lives at (X250) Wells street, flat (X251). She has stored
her furniture and is separated from her husband. Is staying on
South Park avenue for a few days. Expects to visit Mrs. (X252),
who keeps an assignation flat at (X253) Indiana avenue. She
expects to come to Chicago to live and open a flat of her own
on the South Side as soon as she can earn sufficient money. Two
or three of her men friends here in Chicago have offered to give
94 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
her $10.00 each for that purpose. She has a flat in view and
knows where she can secure all the girls she needs when she is
ready to start.
Solicited by girl on Jackson and LaSalle street at 12.20 A. M.
Girl gave name of Jennie and invited investigator to call on her
at flat (X255), 31st street. Kept by Mrs. (X256). Says Mrs.
(X256) receives herself, that she runs a regular assignation place,
can have liquor, as there is plenty in the place. Flat is over the
(X258) cafe.
Mariette solicited on South State street. Said she was 18 years
old, lives at home and "don't have to hustle." Frequents saloon
at South State street.
Sue solicits on South State street to go upstairs over saloon at
(X259) South State street.
A plain clothes man spoke to a woman who solicits on the
street in the 22nd street district. He said, "Well, how is business
tonight?"
"Bum," she replied, "I haven't broken my luck yet."
The detective then walked toward 22nd street.
On January 3rd 24 houses of prostitution were closed on Sangamon,
Green and Peoria streets. According to a police report there were
124 inmates in these houses. On the nights of January 21 and 22, 1911,
an investigator was solicited by 48 different women on Madison, Hal-
sted, Sangamon, Lake, Peoria, and Green streets. He secured the
names of 13 of these women, and they correspond with the names
of the former inmates of these houses.
West Side During period of 15 minutes, three girls solicited
on Adams between Morgan and Sangamon.
During period of 15 minutes, seven girls soliciting on Monroe
from Halsted to Peoria.
10 :30 P. M., three girls soliciting on Monroe between Green and
Halsted.
10 :30 to 11 P. M., nine girls soliciting on Madison street from
Sangamon to Morgan.
Downtown, South to East 22nd Street 1 :30 A. M. Clark
street, near river. Met waitress who works in lunch room, said
she would go to a room from 7 A. M., when she leaves her work,
until time to go back to work.
9 :30 to 11 :30 P. M. Investigator was solicited by 14 different
girls in vicinity of Wabash avenue, between Van Buren and
Congress. Eight solicited for a hotel on Wabash avenue, and six
for hotel on State street.
10 :10 to 10 :50 P. M. Investigator was solicited by following
women :
(a) Miss (X259) on State between Jackson and Adams;
would go to any hotel,' 'phone (X260).
EXISTING CONDITIONS 95
(b) Helena; lives on South Side, would go to any hotel.
(c) Rosie, corner Congress and Wabash. This was 11 :45
P. M.
10:10 to 10:50 P. M. Nine girls soliciting on Congress be-
tween Wabash and State. Investigator was solicited by six dif-
ferent women. Gave names as Rose, May, Ruth, Kate, Grace,
Ella. Two of them wanted to go to hotel on Wabash avenue, two
to hotel on State, and two any place investigator desired.
Met Bessie on Michigan avenue. She is 19 years of age.
Came from (X261), Indiana, about three months ago. Works
in restaurant on 22nd street. Lives in rooming house on Michigan
avenue. Is not a regular prostitute, goes with men for presents
or money. Is poorly paid at restaurant. Don't like the country,
prefers city life. Expects to move to a room where landlady
has promised to allow her to do as she pleases about bringing
friends to her room.
South Side from East 22nd to 6$rd Street 31st and Indiana
avenue. Lucille lives on Prairie avenue. Fairly well educated.
About 19 years ; would go to hotel.
On Michigan avenue near 24th street. Carmen, 22 years old,
goes to hotel on Michigan avenue, lives on Michigan avenue;
'phone Calumet (X262) ; does not take men to her room.
At 61st street and Cottage Grove avenue. Flossie lives with
her parents on West (X263) street. About 21; goes to hotel on
63rd street.
At 28th street and Michigan avenue. Two mulatto girls, one
named (X264), about 22, other 20, neither look over 18. Both
live on Wabash avenue in rear apartment and take men there.
Southwest Side Met Lilly in front of a five cent theatre. She
is a dressmaker's apprentice and receives $3.50 per week.
"Hustles" at night. Her parents are dead. Her aunt first per-
suaded her to become immoral. Frequents saloon on South Hal-
sted street.
Paulette's parents made her leave home because she went out
at night. She says she is "going to hell proper" now. Is 18 years
old. Frequents saloon on South Halsted street.
THE PROFITS FROM PROSTITUTION IN CHICAGO.
That the profits from prostitution are enormous is well known, but
until certain facts are known and studied, no clear idea can be obtained
regarding them. When two or three of the principal factors are ex-
amined a flood of light is thrown on the problem.
The police list of disorderly houses and flats submitted to this Com-
mission gave the following:
96 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
WEST SIDE.
2?th and s8th Precincts These precincts contain the so-called West
Side vice district.
Number of houses 38
Number of inmates in these houses 180
Number of flats 93
Number of inmates and keepers in these flats 321
Let us confine the present inquiry as to profit to two factors, viz.,
first, that from increased rent, and second, from fees paid to the
woman for the rental of her body.
As a preface to mathematical statements, and to show that the
figures given are ultra-conservative, take the following excerpts from
statements given in conferences before the Commission, first as to
profits from rentals of houses used for purposes of prostitution, and
second, as to the amount made by the individual prostitute.
(X265) leases a house for $50.00 per month in a section where it
would be ' impossible to sublet to respectable parties for a legitimate
increase of $75.00 per month. He then expends, say $200.00 in par-
titioning off 10 small bed rooms ; total expense so far $250.00.
He subleases to a landlady for $200.00 per month, and she often
pays a bonus in addition to the $200.00.
He thus gets his money back during the first month's rental, and a
profit of $150.00 that month and every month thereafter.
Mr. (X266) had a certain unoccupied piece of property on (X266a)
street which he formerly leased for $50.00 per month. He rented it
for $200.00 per month for purposes of prostitution.
A keeper of a house of ill-fame stated in conference that she paid
$8,000.00 per year on a 10-year lease for the house.
Evidence on file with the Commission shows largely increased rents,
sometimes double paid for flats to be used far assignation purposes.
As a typical instance, see page 80, under heading "Expense of
Conducting the Flat." Rent $50 legitimate rent $30. Revenue,
lowest amount taken in $165 per month; highest $340 covering a
four year period. She had two inmates, and charged $10 to $15 per
week board.
The prices charged were $5, $7 and $10. Rooms were also rented
for assignation purposes, price $2 for a short time, and $5 for all
EXISTING CONDITIONS 97
night. She received $2 for every $5 earned by the inmates.
One inmate, Rose, once stayed 10 days with her, and earned $50
for herself. During one July, Helen earned $156. During 27 days in
August she earned $171.
"During one week of a celebration, Edna (X267), who has three
flats at (X268) Wabash avenue, made $700 prices $5, $7 and $10."
She claims to make $6,000 to $7,000 per year.
INDIVIDUAL PROFITS OF PROSTITUTES.
The universal practice is that the "madame takes half."
If the profit, therefore, of the inmate is given that of the keeper
is known.
One madame testified before the Commission that in a 50-cent house
on the West Side, she with one girl took in $175 to $200 per week.
She also testified that she herself entertained 60 men in one night at
50 cents each.
This madame is supporting members of her family, and has $7,000
in the bank.
Other testimony shows that girls are not encouraged to stay in these
cheap houses who do not turn in $25 per week at least.
Testimony from a keeper and inmates shows that her girls earn
from $100 to $400 a week, and in one or two cases where the girl is
especially attractive and "womanly" even $500 per week. This keeper
has 24 "boarders."
Investigator's report gives the case of one woman who had conducted
a flat on the South Side in the residence district for a few years, who
had made enough to purchase property on the North Side, and "retire
from business," and of another who proposed to retire, and wanted
to purchase an orange grove.
Inmates of other houses not so pretentious ($2 and $3 houses) testify
to making $50 per week and upwards.
That there is even published and obtainable data to prove con-
clusively the conservatism of the estimates that are given further on, is
shown by the two following instances:
In May, 1907, Leona Garrity, keeper of a house at 75 South Peoria
street, was arrested on the charge of "allowing an unmarried female
98 THE~SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
under 18 years of age to live, etc., in a house of prostitution." The
case was tried by a jury, and a verdict of guilty returned, and appeal
taken to the Supreme Court, where the verdict was sustained.
In the printed abstract of record filed in the Supreme Court in this
case, certain pages are reproduced, taken from a book kept by the
madame of the house. These pages give the record of the inmates
of the house for five consecutive days in May, 1907, and shows the
number of men received by each inmate each day, and the amount
each girl received.
The price for' "service" in this house was 50 cents. It is shown
that six regular inmates on four consecutive days received 394 men,
an average of between 65 and 66 per day, or 13 per day each, and were
paid a total of $98.50, or approximately $4 per day each. This would
show weekly earnings of $28 each, and as the total amount of money
received was divided equally between the inmates and the madame,
the madame's earnings on this basis from these six inmates would be
$112 per week, or $5,824 per year.
The record, however, of two of the six inmates who worked five
consecutive days is as follows:
Sun. Mon. Tues. Wed. Thur. Total Av.
KITTY:
No. of men 24 14 12 9 17 76 15
FLORINCE:
No. of men 20 23 21 21 45 130 26
"Kitty" therefore averaged a little over 15 visitors per day, and
her weekly earnings would be about the same as those given above.
"Florince," however, who was the 16-year-old girl of the case in
court, on one day received 45 men, averaged 26 per day, and was
paid $32.50 for the 5 days, or at the rate of $45.50 per week. And,
of course, "earned" a similar amount for the keeper.
The total amount the six girls received for the five days was $114
(although four of them "worked" only four days). The weekly
profit of the madame, therefore, from these six inmates, taking this
as the average would be $159.60, or $8,299.20 per annum. 1
It should be remembered that this house was one of the lowest and
cheapest sort, a 50-cent house.
'Exhibit Q.
EXISTING CONDITIONS 99
In 1908, in connection with the arrest of the keeper of a disorderly
house, the authorities seized his books and papers. Among these books
was one giving the names of the inmates, and amounts turned in by
them each day ; total for one month daily, and total receipts per month
for 22 consecutive months. These records were held as part of the
evidence in this case, and are given below in detail. (The figures
given are all taken from the records ; the "averages" and other analyses
of the tables are ours.)
The price for service in this house was $1.
The regular number of inmates of this house was 18. Sometimes
these were a few more or a few less.
Record for one day (March 14) names of girls and amount turned
in by each :
Carmen $36
Blanch 28
Marcella 37
Martha 25
Jeannie 16
Lucille 41
Flossie 23
Lilly 13
Helene 20
Paulette 14
Mariette 23
Suzanne 23
Violette 13
Tantine 24
Mignon 11
Jennie 16
Bessie 11
Rosie 10
Alice 20
Marcette 12
Bete 27
Total 21 inmates $443
Average $ 21.10
Average profit per inmate (1/2) $10.05 per day; per week $70.35.
Average profit per inmate for keeper, $10.05 per day; per week,
$70.35.
100 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
Daily record of inmates for one week, March 7th to 13th
7th
8th
9th
10th
llth
12th
13th
$24
$33
$16
$16
$18
$17
$16
40
18
22
18
14
11
20
25
19
18
7
18
14
12
20
10
14
23
4
8
10
24
22
22
9
21
16
18
20
13
21
11
7
10
5
22
13
11
14
9
12
11
9
38
11
14
12
7
13
35
25
15
4
30
14
12
26
16
7
7
7
13
19
12
25
12
5
10
16
9
16
12
9
15
7
9
9
29
10
10
23
11
4
5
15
10
8
13
10
6
4
27
11
11
21
10
4
7
20
10
11
2
6
3
3
16
30
5
10
9
7
13
20
10
8
6
8
13
18
7
19
4
11
11
$406 $364 $240 $202 $250 $179 $192
Total for seven days $1,833
Average number of inmates 18
Average per week for each inmate (1/2) $50
Average per week from each inmate (1/2)
for madame $50
Record of daily receipts from inmates for one month:
Mar. 2, $247 12, $197 22, $339
3, 228 13, 202
4, 229 14, 500
5, 206 15, 350
6, 235 16, 233
7, 419 17, 231
8, 379 18, 226
9, 255 19, 226
10, 214 20, 246
11, 260 21, 420
Total for 30 days $8,144
Average number of inmates, 18
Average earnings per inmate for month (1/2) $220
Average earnings per inmate for week 55
Average earnings for keeper for month (1/2) $4,072
EXISTING CONDITIONS 101
Record of total business per month for 22 months (August, 1906, to
June, 1908) :
1906 1907 1908
August $ 6,526 April $ 8,180 December. ... $ 9,229
September.... 6,816 May 8,465 January 1908 7,837
October 7,221 June 8,613 February 7,894
November.... 7,074 July 9,008 March 8,494
December.... 7,790 August 10,061 April 8,266
January 1907. 7,294 September. . . 9,325 May 8,936
February 6,588 October 9,109
March 8,226 November... 8,647
Total for 22 months $179,599
Average per month 8,164
Average earnings of inmates (18) per week (^) 55
With these facts in mind, note the following figures confined en-
tirely to "rent of house and body."
WEST SIDE.
Rent of House 38 houses (from police list).
Average excess profit from rental, $1000 per year, to
owner or lessor $ 38,000
93 flats (from police list).
Average excess profit from rental, $300 per year, to
owner or lessor 27,900
180 inmates of houses (from police list)
Profit of $25 per week; aggregate per annum 234,000
Profit of $25 per week for keeper from inmates 234,000
321 inmates of flats; same as above ($25 per week)
aggregate per annum 417,300
Keeper's profit from 321 inmates 417,300
Total West Side $1,368,500
SOUTH CHICAGO.
This so-called "restricted district" is of practically the same chat
acter as that of the West Side.
i$th Precinct This precinct contains the South Chicago re-
stricted district.
25 houses (from police list).
Excess profit from rentals, $1000 per year each, to
owner or lessor $ 25,000
120 inmates, profit of $25 per week, aggregate per
annum 156,000
Keeper's profit from 120 inmates 156,000
Total South Chicago $337,000
102 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
SOUTH SIDE.
In this district, while the excess revenue from rentals of houses and
flats must be very largely in excess of that on either the West Side
or South Chicago, the same amount is used in the estimate for houses,
or $1,000 per year, and $50 per month (or $GOO per year) for flats
instead of $300.
The weekly average profit of the prostitute in this district is esti-
mated at $50.
2d, sd and 4th Precincts South Side restricted district. 119 houses
(from police list) :
Average excess profit of $1,000 per year to owner or
lessor $ 119,000
686 inmates of houses (from police list).
Weekly profit of $50 each, aggregate per annum 1,783,600
Keeper's profit from 686 inmates 1,783,600
143 flats (from police list).
Average excess profit of $600 per year to owner or lessor 85,800
277 inmates of flats (from police list)
Weekly profit at $50 each, aggregate per annum 720,200
Keeper's profit from 277 inmates 720,200
Total South Side $5,212,400
RECAPITULATION OF THREE RESTRICTED DISTRICTS (HOUSES AND
FLATS ONLY).
West Side $1,368,500
South Chicago 337,000
South Side 5,212,400
Total $6,917,900
This appalling aggregate covers only the houses and flats in the
three so-called restricted districts.
In addition to these houses and flats, the police list gives 17
assignation hotels in the 2d, 3d and 4th precincts, having 1086 rooms,
and 6 in the 27th and 28th precincts, having 45 rooms. These rooms
rent for from 25 cents to $2.
Assuming that each room is rented only once each night at an
average price of 50 cents, and that this is all profit (as most of these
rooms are rented many times each night, and many of them for higher
EXISTING CONDITIONS 103
prices) the sum of $206,407 must be added to the above aggregate
for rental only (for the West Side $8,212 and for the South Side
$198,195). Estimating that only one prostitute entertains once each
night in each room at a price of $1, the "body rental" amounts to
$412,815. (For the West Side $16,425 and for the South Side
$396,390.) It is an ultra-conservative assumption that considering
the total business done, these sums may be called "profits." To con-
clude with the police list, 10 houses with 26 inmates, 36 flats with 73
inmates and 19 assignation hotels having 91 rooms are given for the
38th precinct, North Side.
An estimate of these on the West Side basis, given below (which is
entirely too low) gives an additional sum of $328,022. (See estimate
in final table.)
We thus have, dealing with the police list only a grand total profit
from the two factors mentioned, from tolerated or regulated vice in
the city of $7,865,144.
And even this is not all. The investigation of the Commission,
which covered only a part of the city, showed 398 disorderly saloons
catering to immoral wornen, practically assignation rooms, or houses
of ill-fame, in which 928 prostitutes were seen; it showed 33 hotels
over saloons, 37 hotels not over saloons, 82 rooms over saloons, 24
houses over saloons, and 60 rooms not over saloons. None of these
saloons, houses, hotels or assignation places are given on the police
list, or considered in the above statement.
Estimating on the lowest basis given above (and omitting entirely
the 398 disorderly saloons and the 928 prostitutes seen in them), a
sum amounting to $611,545 must be added, considering each "hotel"
as a flat with two inmates only, and each of the 24 houses as having
only two. The final sum is therefore $8,476,689.00.
It must be borne in mind that the vast revenue from the sale of
liquor is entirely neglected in this sum, nor are any of the lesser
sources of profit considered, such as tips given to the girls by patrons
(testimony shows this amounts to $25 per week per inmate in the better
houses) nor from music, or the large sums made by giving indecent
shows, etc. Nor has it anything to do with the matter of clandestine
prostitution.
In the above estimates, the total number of prostitutes considered
104 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
is 3,233. This figure does not include the 928 prostitutes counted in
disorderly saloons mentioned, but only inmates of houses, flats and
rooms. The "per capita" annual profit, therefore (from rentals of
property and fees paid women) of this business, found by dividing
the aggregate given by 3,233, is approximately $1,480.00.
What must be the value of real estate and property where such possi-
bilities of revenues are found ?
Analyzing further the figures given, omitting the first factor of
rental of property and the keeper's or madame's share, and consid-
ering only the aggregate earnings of the individual prostitute (amount-
ing to $4,167,531) and dividing the sum by 3,233, we have a "per
capita" earning capacity of approximately $1,300 per annum, or $25
per week. This is 5 per cent, on $26,000. The average wage paid in a
department store is $6.00 per week, or $300 per year. This is 5 per
cent, on $6,000. In other words, a girl represents a capitalized value
of $26,000 as a professional prostitute, where brains, virtue and all other
good things are "nil," or more than four times as much as she is
worth, as a factor in the industrial and social economy, where brains,
intelligence, virtue and womanly charm should be worth a premium.
The statements were made above that the "madame gets half,"
and that even in the cheap houses the girl who cannot turn in $25.00
per week is not encouraged to remain. As has been shown, the aver-
age weekly earnings (as much underestimated as the above figures
certainly are) amount to that, and the keeper's or madame's share
is shown to amount to millions.
Why wonder then at the commercialization of prostitution, or at
its permanence ? A madame with 10 girls in a house has a sure revenue
of $250 per week, or $13,000 per year. After paying her exorbitant
rent of $2,400 per annum, is there not enough left for "protection"
and graft of every conceivable description?
The reasons for the statements of a keeper that she pays $8,000 per
year rent for a house that would ordinarily rent for less than $2500,
and that her daily expense for 24 servants, breakage of furniture,
glassware, etc., etc., is $225, are easily accounted for, when compared
with the accompanying statement that "I have accommodations for 24
young ladies," and the further statements both from her and the
inmates, that the "earnings" are from $100 to $500 per week per
inmate, and remembering that the "madame gets half."
EXISTING CONDITIONS 105
Assuming the lowest figure with 24 girls earning $50 per week,
the madame's share is $62,400.
If, however, the statement of daily expense amounting to $225 is
correct, this must be too low, as there would be a deficit.
On the basis of $100 per week for each inmate as the madame's
share, there would be a profit of $42,675 per year.
These figures speak for themselves, and show in a startling manner
why vice exists in Chicago, why it is allowed to exist, and why politics
and graft are inseparable from it under existing conditions.
The rich hoard thus offered explains the reason for the army of
cadets and thieves, exploiters and scoundrels who live on the earnings
of the bodies of the unfortunate women, who are led to believe the
life is "easy." It also accounts for the commercial interests that sup-
port, bolster, and live upon it, the real estate owners, and agents, the
liquor interests, costumers, furriers, jewelers, druggists, doctors and
many others who live on or share in the earnings of the prostitute.
The girl is peculiarly susceptible to all forms of graft, and is per-
sistently grafted upon by all. Nobody respects, admires or loves her;
no one wants her but for one purpose.
Confined as in a prison, her only resource is in "blowing in her
easy money" for what she can get to make the hours fly, and she is
an easy victim to each and every grafter who gets the chance to prey
upon her. It is the ease of her exploitation that largely accounts for
the so-called commercialization of prostitution and its perpetuation.
106 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
RECAPITULATION OF ESTIMATES GIVEN ABOVE ITEMIZED.
From Police List West Side Houses and Flats.
Profits of owners or lessors,
$ 38,000
27,900
$65,900
Profits of inmates,
180 inmates, houses at $25 week, 234,000
321 inmates, flats at $25 week, 417,300
Profits of keepers or madames,
501 inmates, houses and flats at $25 week 651,300
. 1,302,600
6 assignation hotels,
Profits of owners or lessors,
45 rooms at $.50 per night 8,212
45 inmates at $1 per night 16,424
. 24,636
Total West Side, $1,393.136
SOUTH CHICAGO.
Profits of owners or lessors,
25 houses at $1,000 per year each $ 25,000
Profits of inmates,
120 at $25 week each, 156,000
Profits of keepers or madames,
120 inmates at $25 week each 156,000
Total South Chicago, 337,000
SOUTH SIDE.
Profits of owners or lessors,
119 houses at $1,000 per year each $119,000
143 flats at $600 per year each 85,800
204,800
Profits of inmates,
686 inmates houses $50 week 1,783,600
277 inmates flats at $50 week 720,200
Profits of keepers or madames,
963 inmates at $50 per week 2,503,800
5,007,600
Profits of owners or lessors,
17 assignation hotels, 1086 rooms, at
50 cents night 198,195
Profits 1,086 inmates at $1 per night 396,390
594,585
Total South Side $5,806,985
EXISTING CONDITIONS 107
NORTH SIDE.
Profits of owners or lessors,
10 houses at $1,000 per year each $ 10,000
36 fiats at $300 per year each 10,800
20,800
Profits of inmates,
26 inmates houses $25 week each 33,800
73 inmates flats $25 week each 94,900
Profits of keepers or madames,
99 inmates, houses and flats $25 week 128,700
19 assignation hotels
Profits 9 rooms at 50c per night each 16,607
Profits 91 inmates at $1 per night each 33,215
Total North Side $ 328,022
Total from houses, flats and assignation
hotels given in police list $7,865,143
PLACES INVESTIGATED (NOT ON POLICE LIST).
Profits to owners or lessors,
70 hotels, considered as flats, $300 per
year each $ 21,000
24. houses $1,000 per year each 24,000
Profits of inmates, these houses and flats,
188 at $25 per week each 244,400
Profits of keepers or madames,
188 inmates at $25 per week each 244,400
Profits of owners or lessors of 142 rooms
at 50c per night 25,915
Profits 142 inmates of these rooms at $1 per
night 51,830
Total, not on police list
Grand total, $8,476,688
108 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
PROFIT FROM THE SALE OF LIQUOR IN CONNECTION WITH PROSTITU-
TION DISORDERLY SALOONS.
There are 7,153 saloons in the City of Chicago. The present ratio
of saloons to population is 1 to about 300 people. According to the
testimony before the Commission, given by the President of the Brew-
ers' Exchange and the representative of the Retail Liquor Dealers'
Protective Association, it will be 20 to 25 years before any new
licenses will be granted, because the city ordinances provide that none
shall be issued until the ratio of saloons to population shall be 1 to 500.
This in a measure accounts for the fact that saloon licenses that cost
$1,000 per annum are now worth $2,000 to $2,500, are rapidly increasing
in value, and are being bought up whenever possible by the liquor
interests.
The organizer of the Liquor Dealers' Association states that 25 per
cent, of the saloon keepers in the city, go out of business every six
months. On the face of it, this would lead to the belief that the busi-
ness was unprofitable, but that must be far from the truth. A license
when granted is not restricted as to locality but is good in any por-
tion of the city; neither is it restricted as to person, but is valid for
whomsoever owns it. These two latter features undoubtedly account
for the shifting character of the ownership. At any rate, the number
of saloons does not diminish and the fact that it does not, that others
are not only always ready and anxious to get in, but are willing to
pay more than twice the cost of the heavy license, proves that the in-
centive is the enormous profit that can be made under existing con-
ditions.
There can be no doubt that the profits of an orderly, well conducted
saloon under proper management, are large, but when the tremendous
profit made by the disorderly saloon which not only allows, but seeks
the aid of the prostitute as an adjunct to its business (and is permitted
to do so) is considered, further light is thrown upon the subject.
These saloons, with rear rooms frequented by prostitutes soliciting
men to buy drinks and for immoral purposes, either directly connected
with rooms or hotels in the same building, or indirectly with others
in the near vicinity are virtually houses of prostitution, and the nuclei
of vice, <the places where many take the initial step, and on the other
EXISTING CONDITIONS 109
hand the business headquarters and rendezvous of the lowest char-
acters of both sexes.
There are many such saloons in the city. The investigation covered
445 (scattered over the city). In 236 of these investigator was so-
licited, and 928 prostitutes were counted in them.
In considering the question of the profits made, attention should
be given to the following facts:
The usual price for a pint bottle of beer (in rear room of saloon)
is 25 cents.
The per cent, of gross profit to the saloon keeper is 178 per cent,
the commission being included in the cost. When sold in rooms up-
stairs the prices are doubled and the per cent, of gross profit is 250
per cent.
Counterfeit mixed drinks for the women, Manhattan and other cock-
tails, consisting of colored water and a cherry, sell for 25 cents. The
per cent, of gross profit on these is over 300 per cent., and much
greater when sold upstairs.
In the majority of such saloons, prostitutes are not only permitted
to solicit, but are paid a commission on the sale of drinks.
A low estimate of the amount earned per day by such girl sellers
of drinks is $3.00.
The average number of girls found in the 236 saloons where in-
vestigator was solicited was approximately 5.
On the basis of only 200 per cent, profit, which eliminates prac-
tically everything from the question except beer, the daily net profit
from 5 girls earning $3.00 per day on a 20 per cent, commission would
be $50 or $18,250 per year.
Assuming that the 236 disorderly saloons mentioned, employed only
5 girls each, the aggregate profits on the above basis would be $4,-
307,000.
Of course, there are many more such saloons than those investigated,
and the average number of girls employed must be much more than 5,
but even on this conservative basis, the total figures are startling, and
the reason why such saloons are allowed to exist is not far to seek.
Another big source of profit for the disorderly saloon is from the
rental of rooms for assignation purposes. Small bed rooms, directly
connected with the saloon or in some cases, controlled by it, are fitted
110 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
up at an expense of not to exceed $5 for a bed, 2 chairs and a few
towels. These rooms are rented many times during each 24 hours.
The average price for such rooms is 50 cents. From 5 rooms of this
kind rented only twice day at 50 cents, the annual revenue amounts
to $1,825.
Bearing in mind that these enormous revenues are only "side lines,"
additions to the natural or normal business of the saloon, some idea
may be formed as to the value of the business of prostitution as an
adjunct, and as to the difficulty of properly regulating, controlling or
suppressing these disorderly places.
Comparing the earnings of the women employed in this manner
for themselves, and for those who hire them with what they could
make as employes of department stores, or as factory hands, some
interesting deductions may be drawn.
In the first place, most of these women or girls are not necessarily
unintelligent, but certainly, from their opportunity and environment
since birth, uneducated, unskilled and with little opportunity or possi-
bility for social advancement or betterment.
Owing to the fact that the law of supply and demand regulates
the price of such labor as they can do, rather than the earning capacity
of the employe for the employer, the average wage these women could
expect to earn in the ordinary course of employment is $6.00 per week,
hardly enough to support life certainly not enough to supply even
the most modest and mtural desire of a girl for dress or what one
"madame" called "fluffy ruffles." In other words, the apparent "good
things" of life, which she sees enjoyed by women and girls all around
her, as matters of course. Small hope for advancement or better-
ment, or a home of her own or of earning enough for a modest outfit
for what is every woman's natural aim, marriage.
Her "capitalized" value as one of the army of the employed is
$6,000, as $6 per week, or $300 per year is 5 per cent, of this sum.
Selling drinks for a saloon keeper at 20 per cent, commission, she
earns for herself $21 per week, as a minimum, or $1100 per year.
Her capitalized value now, as such agent, based on her earnings is
$22,000, or nearly four times as much as in the industrial ranks, and
when the further profits from the rental of her body in connection
with her "business" are considered, is it strange that the life appears
EXISTING CONDITIONS 111
to her "easy" or that her "reformation" is difficult, or that it is difficult
to control or suppress this crying evil?
What can be offered to such women to replace the "luxury" unat-
tainable to them in any other known way, but made possible by the
life they are almost inevitably bound to follow, and why wonder at
the perpetuation (in spite of all the alleged efforts at control) of the
disorderly saloon, when the profits these women make for the saloon
keepers are so enormous as shown by the above facts?
PROFITS FROM SALE OF LIQUOR IN HOUSES OF PROSTITUTION.
The following facts are taken from statements made in confer-
ences before the Commission with madames and inmates, and from
data furnished by investigators.
Beer costing four cents per bottle (pint) is sold in cheaper
houses for 25 cents, in more expensive houses for 50 cents, and
though quart bottles are sold for double prices, often a pint bottle
is sold for $1.00.
"Champagne" so-called, mostly a very cheap quality, costs $12
to $16 per dozen bottles. It is sold in the cheaper houses for
$3.00 per bottle; in the more expensive houses for $5.00 per
bottle.
One madame stated that, prior to May 1, 1910, before the rule pro-
hibiting the sale of liquor in the houses was in force, she "averaged
on beer $1,200 to $1,500 per month."
Another madame of "a dollar" house stated, "We used to make a
good deal of money out of beer and liquor. We made $2,000 a month.
We charged 50 cents for a bottle of beer and $3 for champagne. I
now lose $1,000 and my partner $1,000 a month."
A Dearborn street madame said that where she formerly (prior to
May 1, 1910) paid $500 per month rent, she now paid $250, and would
gladly pay $500 if permitted to sell beer.
Inmates, according to a madame's statement, formerly made $35 to
$45 per week in commissions on sale of beer and wine, and the
madame who testified that she made $1,200 to $1,500 per month
said, "the girls got 40 per cent, commission." As she had ten girls,
their earnings on that basis would be $12 to $15 per week each.
It is practically impossible to make definite mathematical state-
ments regarding the aggregate profit of this business in the three
112 THE SOCIALLY IL IN CHICAGO
restricted districts, but in order to show how vast it must be, assum-
ing that the average annual profit to each house is $5,000 and for each
flat $2,000, and $10 per week each for inmates as commission, the re-
sult would be as follows:
FROM POLICE LIST.
West Side Houses 38 at $ 5,000 $ 190,000
West Side Flats 93 2,000 186,000
West Side Inmates 501 520 260,520
South Chicago Houses 25 5,000 125,000
South Chicago Inmates 120 520 62,400
South Side Houses 119 5,000 595,000
South Side Flats 143 2,000 286,000
South Side Inmates 963 520 500,760
North Side Houses 10 5,000 50,000
North Side Assignation Hotels 19 5,000 95,000
North Side Flats 36 2,000 72,000
North Side Inmates 99 520 51,480
Total from Houses, Flats, Assignation Hotels and In-
mates given in police list $2,474,160
PLACES INVESTIGATED NOT ON POLICE LIST.
70 Hotels 5,000 350,000
24 Houses 5,000 120,000
188 Inmates of these Houses and Hotels 520 97,760
142 Inmates, Rooms, etc 520 73,840
Total not on police list $641,600
Total on police list $2,474,160
Grand Total $2,915,760
On May 1, 1910, the rule of the General Superintendent of Police
prohibiting the sale of liquor in houses of prostitution went into effect.
On the whole it has been fairly well obeyed. No liquor is openly
sold in houses, with the exception of the most famous house of all,
where an investigator recently purchased a bottle of beer and one
of wine in the same unrestricted way, and at the same prices. Other
houses on the same street sold only soft drinks.
As to the benefit derived from this order, either to the inmates
or the public, opinions differ. Of course, the keepers and madames
EXISTING CONDITIONS 113
protest. Those of the higher priced houses admit they can still con-
tinue in business, though at greatly reduced profits. Others claim
their business is ruined.
There can be no doubt that the business of the saloons in these
restricted districts has enormously increased. The madames almost
all say that the girls are drinking more than before, and are uneasy
and hard to control.
Many inmates have left the houses and now live in flats, where they
sell liquor under a government receipt, secured at a cost of $25.00.
"There are 500 flats opened up on the South Side since May 1st."
An inspector states, "There are 360 flats with prostitution on Cottage
Grove avenue and all over ; that is from 22nd street, south and east of
State street."
It is undoubtedly true that the result of the order has been to
scatter the prostitutes over a wider territory and to transfer the sale
of liquor carried on heretofore in houses to the nearby saloon keepers
and to flats and residential sections, but it is an open question whether
it has resulted in the lessening of either of the two evils, of prostitution
and drink.
FINAL RECAPITULATION OF ANNUAL PROFITS FROM THE BUSINESS OP
PROSTITUTION IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.
Rentals of property and profits of Keepers and Inmates. ... $ 8,476,689
Sale of liquor, disorderly saloons only 4,307,000
Sale of liquor in houses, flats, and profits of Inmates on
commissions 2,915,760
$15,699,449
114 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
AN INQUIRY INTO THE NUMBER OF PATRONS OF HOUSES OF PROSTITUTION
IN CHICAGO.
The enormous aggregate of the amount spent in houses of prostitu-
tion, as shown in the section of this report entitled "The Profits from
Prostitution in Chicago," naturally suggests the inquiry Who are the
supporters of this vice, and how many must there be to keep it up?
Confining the inquiry entirely to the houses given in the police list
for the three so-called restricted districts and the North Side, and
briefly summarizing some of the facts will help to elucidate this
problem.
POLICE LIST.
No. of inmates in 38 houses, West Side 180
No. of inmates in 25 houses, South Chicago 120
No. of inmates in 119 houses, South Side 686
No. of inmates in 10 houses, North Side 26
Total number of inmates 1,012
The records taken from the books of a keeper of a 50 cent house,
with six regular girls, at 75 South Peoria street, show that the average
number of men per day for each inmate was 15.
The records taken from the books of a $1.00 house with 18 in-
mates give 15 plus per day.
The madame of a $1.00 and $5.00 with 18 to 20 inmates, testified
in a conference with the Commission as follows: "We receive from
300 to 400 men per night." This also shows an average of 15 plus
per inmate per day.
It is pretty conclusively proven, therefore, that it is safe to assume
that number as a basis for purposes of this estimate, especially when
taken in connection with the known fact that girls who cannot turn
in at least $25.00 per week in the cheapest houses, are not encouraged
to remain in them, and somewhat more than 15 visitors per day at
25 cents each is requisite to produce that amount.
On this assumption, then, the figures would be as follows:
Total number of inmates in houses, 1,012.
If each inmate receives 15 men per day, the total number per day
would be 15,180 or 5,540,700 per annum.
The population of Chicago is approximately 2,000,000. On the
EXISTING CONDITIONS 115
census basis of estimate there are approximately 400,000 families.
Assuming that there are two males (one father and one son) in each
family who may be considered as coming within the scope of this
inquiry (or 800,000) and that three-fourths of these because of age,
state of health, poverty, religious influences or other causes, are left
out, there are 200,000 "eligible" males left a number wholly inad-
equate to bear the burden of the millions (approximately $5,400,000)
of estimated expenditure in houses of prostitution as shown in the
article referred to.
(Note. This sum of $5,400,000 covers only the receipts of in-
mates and keepers from patrons for services, and the receipts for the
sale of liquor in houses, as per the police list, and leaves out of the
problem the receipts from all sources in flats, assignation hotels,
rooms and disorderly saloons.)
It is undoubtedly true that the bulk of support comes from "The
stranger within our gates."
In New York City there is a daily influx of over 150,000 strangers.
If we assume that only 60,000 visitors come into Chicago every day
and that 20,000 (or one-third of these) are "eligible'' as possible
"patrons" there is an army of 7,300,000 to be added to the home num-
ber.
The men from other towns who come to Chicago "To see the
sights." The man who is moral (apparently) in St. Louis or Cleve-
land or New York "relaxes" in Chicago. Thousands nightly "Go down
the line" here, who at home find conditions too strict to even suggest
a "fling."
It is certainly true that during conventions or "Show" occasions, the
business of the restricted districts is enormously increased. It is a
conclusion from fact, that can hardly be gotten 'away from, that the
bulk of the support of prostitution in the better houses and apartments
in Chicago, as well as in other large cities, comes from the outside
the visitor and not from the resident.
In considering this conclusion, however, two facts should be borne
in mind: first, that the above estimate is restricted entirely to the
houses given in the police list, and does not cover prostitution in flats
or assignation hotels and rooms, or that due to the disorderly saloon;
neither does clandestine prostitution enter into it at all, and, second,
116 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
the numbers given for patrons are "instances" only, and not separate
patrons.
As to the first of these two facts, it is perhaps sufficient to say
that the amount estimated for the houses alone is but one-third of
the entire total, and further, that from the known facts it is prob-
able the cheaper houses are more largely supported by the resident,
and the more expensive or "show" places and the better apartments
by the "visitor."
As to "instances," assuming that there are 200,000 "residents" who
may be considered as supporters of this vice, it would be necessary
for each one to expend approximately $28 per annum to make up
the entire sum of $5,400,000. If each one spent $4 per evening on
his dissipation, it would necessitate his making 7 visits a year to houses
of prostitution.
This number of visits by each would take care of the matter
without any reference to the help of outsiders.
And thus the question arises, "How immoral is the average man
addicted to the indulgence in vice?" One at all familiar with local
conditions, or who frequents disorderly saloons or restaurants cater-
ing to the "sporting element," must have often been impressed by the
fact that the same people visit the same places night after night, week
in and week out, and such an one also knows that there are apparently
thousands of men whose whole occupation seems to be the haunting
of disorderly or immoral places and the so-called "pursuit of
pleasure," and others who devote all their spare time and means
to it.
These suggestions are made with the idea of showing the conserva-
tism and reasonableness of the appalling sum given for the profits
from prostitution a sum which to one unfamiliar with the subject
would undoubtedly seem incredible.
Chapter II.
The Social Evil and
the Saloon.
CHAPTER II.
THE SOCIAL EVIL AND THE SALOON.
In the Commission's consideration and investigation of the Social
Evil, it found as the most conspicuous and important element in con-
nection with the same, next to the house of prostitution itself, was
the saloon, and the most important financial interest, next to the
business of prostitution was the liquor interest. As a contributory
influence to immorality and the business of prostitution there is no in-
terest so dangerous and so powerful in the City of Chicago. The
Brewery Companies, the Liquor Dealers' Protective Association of
Illinois, and the Wholesale Liquor Dealers' Association have all gone
on record as in favor of the elimination of the sale of liquor in con-
nection with prostitution.
In spite of this fact hundreds of prostitutes (928 counted by the
Commission investigators) are permitted and encouraged in no less
than 236 saloons, which were investigated by the Commission. Many
of these disorderly saloons are under the control of brewery com-
panies as will be seen later in the report. These saloons are
frequented by immoral women who openly solicit for drinks and for
immoral purposes and receive the protection of the saloon keepers
and interests.
The Commission is strongly convinced that there should be imme-
diate and complete separation of the saloon and the Social Evil and
that no house of assignation or prostitution or rooms above or ad-
jacent should be allowed in connection with a saloon.
Bawdy houses found by the Commission were appalling enough, but
the abuse of liquor selling privileges is equal in viciousness through
its open and alluring flaunting of vice and degeneracy, and in its de-
struction of the moral character of men who frequent the saloon pri-
marily for drink only.
The following definite information and specific cases bring out
very forcibly the conditions as they exist. Names and addresses have
been suppressed, signs such as XI Xll etc., being inserted. 1
*For text of laws and ordinances regarding saloons see Appendices XI-XII-
XIII-XIV-XV-XVI.
119
120 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
EXISTING CONDITIONS AND TYPICAL CASES.
/. Saloons and the Brewers. The records show that there are
7,152 saloons in the City of Chicago. The City Ordinances limiting
the issuing of dramshop licenses which went into effect November 1,
1006, declares that a license may be renewed upon strict and full
compliance with the law and ordinances in force at the time of the
application. No new license, however, can be issued until the licenses
in force at the time are less than 1 for every 500 of the population, as
determined by a school census. When this occurs, new licenses may
be issued.
The ordinance further provides that the owner or owners or his
or their legal representatives, of a license may be given the right
to a renewal or reissue at the same or different place of business.
Also the owner of a license may assign or convey his right to the
renewal or reissue to another person. This privilege of renewal or
reissue shall apply only so long as the license in each case shall
have been kept in force continuously and uninterruptedly in the name
of the licensee, or his successor in interest.
The ordinance also provides that no license to keep a saloon shall
be hereafter issued to a firm except in the name of the individual
members of the firm, and no such license shall be hereafter issued to
a corporation, provided, however, that any corporation now holding
such license in its name may designate the person or persons who shall
be entitled to a renewal or reissue for the license period beginning
November 1, 1906. 1
At the present time, the ratio of saloons to population is practically
one to three hundred. Before any more licenses can be issued, there-
fore, according to this ordinance, the population of Chicago will have
to be nearly doubled. Some think this will take 25 years.
This makes the saloon problem in Chicago a very interesting one.
The brewers recognize this fact and are endeavoring to control as
many licenses as possible.
The following news item which appeared in the daily press October
2, 1910, is illuminating:
*Appendix XII.
THE SOCIAL EVIL AND THE SALOON 121
SALOON LICENSES WORTH $2,000.
Contests before City Officials for Their Possession shows Value.
The "saloon court" composed of City Collector Magerstadt and
Assistant Corporation Counsels Barge and Beilman, yesterday
heard fifteen cases in which breweries and the supposed owners
of saloons were contesting for the ownership of licenses. While
in most instances the breweries won, having for some considera-
tion been given an assignment by the saloon keepers, in several
cases they were beaten. The value of a saloon license in Chi-
cago, owing to the restrictions placed on their issuance by the
$1,000 ordinance, is now approximately $2,000. The breweries
are making every effort to secure enough licenses to give them
full control of the saloons.
It is also worthy of note that a saloon keeper of a disreputable re-
sort in South Chicago declared that certain brewers are trying to buy
up the licenses of similar resorts in that vicinity, offering $1,500 for
the $1,000 licenses. In one instance it was reported that a certain
brewery paid $1,700 for such a license. Only recently a representa-
tive from a well known brewery has purchased four licenses from
owners of saloons in the South Chicago vice district. The price paid
for one of these licenses was $1,800. The reason these licenses were
sold, it is said, was because of the agitation against the sale of
beer in houses of prostitution. When things were running smoothly
in the houses these licenses could not be purchased for $5,000.
The Brewers' Exchange, which is composed of 90 per cent, of the
brewing companies in Chicago, has repeatedly affirmed that it is ab-
solutely opposed to the sale of liquor in connection with prostitution.
An investigation with reference to 236 disorderly saloons shows
that representatives of fourteen brewing companies are on the surety
bonds for sixty-three of these saloons.
In addition there are a number of individuals on the surety bonds
for other disorderly saloons who are also connected with brewing
companies but are not given as being representatives.
II. The Liquor Dealers' Protective Association of Illinois
and the Saloon. This organization has about 500 members in Chi-
cago and all of them are owners of saloons. This body of men has
passed resolutions and has worked for the separation of prostitution
from the sale of liquor in saloons, yet the nuisance is not abated.
122 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
///. The Wholesale Liquor Dealers' Association. This is an
other important organization in the liquor trade. It also claims that
as an organization it is interested in the elimination of disorderly
saloons.
Attention has been called to these organizations because they might
become very strong factors in any concerted effort to divorce the sale
of liquor from prostitution, especially in relation to saloons, and could
do much to really change the situation for the better.
IV. Disorderly Saloons. During the period of this investigation
the Commission has considered conditions in 445 saloons in different
parts of the city. 1
The investigators have counted 928 unescorted women in these
saloons who by their actions and conversation were believed to be pros-
titutes. In fact they were solicited by one or more different women in
236 different saloons to go to 33 hotels over saloons, to 82 rooms over
saloons, to 23 regular houses of prostitution over saloons, to 37 hotels
not over saloons and to 61 flats not over saloons. 2
Of the 455 saloons investigated, 47 were on the police list as fur-
nished by the General Superintendent of Police on October 26, 1910,
'and 398 were not.
Of the 37 hotels to which investigators were solicited to go by
prostitutes in saloons, and which were not over saloons one is on the
police list, 32 are not and 3 are doubtful.
Of the 61 flats to which investigators were solicited to go by pros-
titutes in saloons, and which were not over saloons, three are on the
police list, 32 are not and 26 are doubtful. 3
It is a fact that many saloons, especially those on the North Side,
are beginning to put in partitions in the rear rooms. In some in-
stances the entrance to these small rooms are hung with curtains
so that it is difficult to see over or into the booths.
V. Saloon Advertising. Saloon keepers often issue cards for dis-
tribution. These cards call attention to the "joys to be found within"
the saloon, the effect of the liquor drank and the possibilities of
pleasure.
'Table IV.
'Table IV.
'Table IV.
THE SOCIAL EVIL AND THE SALOON 123
Clambake in Saloon. The following is a description of a clambake
in one of the saloons, which illustrates a method of attracting patron-
age and advertising.
(X2G9) State street. Invitations to this clambake were spread
broadcast two or three weeks before the event. On the night of Oc-
tober 2, the rear rooms of this saloon were crowded, there being
about 150 women present besides men. Of this number probably 50
were without escorts. Those who came with escorts sat at the tables
with them for a while and then sought out other men.
One case was that of a young woman about 21 years of age, the
wife or woman of a waiter named (X270). This woman came to
the rear room of the saloon with a child about three or four years
of age. During the evening she asked men to buy drinks for her and
later went away with a man, leaving the child to be taken care of by
another woman.
A brother of this woman, (X271) by name, was also a waiter. He
was trying to induce men to sit at the same table with his sister. All
of the waiters in fact were asking men if they were not lonesome
and would not like to have a lady companion.
One waiter came to the investigator three different times and in-
vited him to sit with a certain woman. Said she was all right and
would give him a good time. The waiter lives with this girl.
VI. Lookouts. These lookouts or "Lighthouses" are usually young
men. They stand in front of the saloon and when an officer in uni-
form or a plain clothes man approaches in the distance they press an
electric button concealed in the, woodwork or behind a beer sign.
Typical places where these lookouts were seen operating are as fol-
lows :
(X272) Harbor avenue.
(X273) Dearborn street.
(X274) Dearborn street.
(X275) Avenue.
(X276) Avenue.
(X277) West 22nd street.
(X278) West Madison street.
VII. Bartenders and Waiters Connected with Disorderly Saloons.
(X279) North State street. Not on police list. Bartender said if a
couple did not want a room he would allow them to go to a rear room
in the saloon and lock the door.
124 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN 6HICAGO
(X280) Wells street. On police list. Bartender said they would
not have anything but young girls in this place. This is the saloon
frequented by Rosie, the "Kid," who said she was not yet 18 years
old.
(X281) South Halsted street. Not on police list. Waiter said that
he had been married four times. Beside this he had had a dozen
women who had solicited for him.
(X282) North Clark street. On police list as (X283) North Clark
street. This place has been investigated at three different times. Girls
solicit in rear rooms and take men upstairs to (X284) Hotel. It is
sometimes called the (X284a) Club. A man who wants a position as
waiter here expects to have a girl come from New York to solicit in
the place, so that it will be easier for him to obtain the position.
(X286) East Sixty-third street. Not on police list. Colored man
connected with the saloon offered *to "fix it" so that Rosey could have
a room upstairs.
(X287) West North avenue. Not on police list. Proprietor said
the women upstairs had been driven out, but he had a nice little girl
by the name of Violet in the back room waiting for a fellow named
Frank. If investigator desired he would introduce him and "fix it
up."
(X288) South Park avenue. Not on police list. Julia said Harry,
the bartender, could "fix them up" with a room.
(X289) West Madison street. Not on police list. Waiter told
investigator that if he came around some other night he could give
him a "real young chicken."
(X290) Strand. On police list. Bartender has girl who works
for him upstairs in house of prostitution. Said he was thinking of
taking some girls to Panama. Said a friend of his made a "lot of
money" over there, and that he would probably go very soon.
(X291) Strand. Not on police list. Bartender solicits men to
go upstairs to house of prostitution. This saloon is run by a man
who is a cadet for the landlady.
(X292) Harbor avenue. On police list. Proprietor also operates
house of prostitution upstairs. His woman solicits and is landlady
of brothel upstairs.
(X293) Strand. On police list. Proprietor is cadet for land-
lady who conducts house of prostitution upstairs. Bartender solicits
men to go upstairs. Rear room has side entrance. Women solicit
in rear room.
(X294) Strand. On police list. Landlady of house of prostitu-
tion upstairs is the woman of one of the proprietors. Bartender said
they expected to have seven more women in a few days.
(X295) Harbor avenue. Not on police list. Bartender solicits men
to go to the house of prostitution upstairs.
(X296) South Halsted street. Not on police list. Bartender
induced investigator to go to rear room to meet a girl, saying that
she wanted to see him. She solicited investigator to go upstairs.
THE SOCIAL EVIL AND THE SALOON 125
(X297) South Halsted street. Not on police list. Bartender said
a girl could be found in the Chinese restaurant upstairs. Drinks are
sent up to this place from the saloon.
(X298) South Halsted street. Not on police list. Bartender said
it was his birthday and his girl, Rose, 20 years of age, who works
in a lawyer's office for $20.00 per week, gave him a diamond stud as a
present.
(X299) Root street. Not on police list. Minnie solicited investi-
gator to go upstairs. Price, $2.00, $1.00 for room. She said the
bartender was her sweetheart and when he wanted a dollar she gave
it to him. She was 20 years old.
(X300) South Halsted street. Not on police list. Investigator met
a cadet named Frank, who said his "woman," Fifie, lived on 62nd
street.
(X301) South Halsted street. Not on police list. Heard three
men talking about a cadet named Jack (X302) who had brought
a girl from (X303), Indiana, and had promised to marry her. When
she received money from home he took it away and left her. Her
father is a wealthy farmer. She is 19 years of age and they call
her Carmen.
(X304) South State street. Not on police list. (X305) said he
didn't work, as Maggie, his girl, keeps him. She is in a flat at (X306)
street and (X307) avenue. Maggie had been supporting him for six
weeks.
(X308) State street. Not on police list. (X309) told investigator
that he had a sister at (X310) avenue who was "sporting." Also
that he had a girl at (X311) avenue who "comes across with the
coin." This man claims to work for a railroad company. Spends his
salary on himself and lives "off what she makes." 1
VIII. Entertainment. In the majority of saloons the entertain-
ments consist of piano playing and singing. In some instances a
vaudeville performance is given, as at (X312), (X313) South Hal-
sted street, (X314), (X315) West Madison street, (X316), (X317)
South Halsted street, and the (X318), (X319) West Madison street.
The singers usually receive $10.00 per week and a percentage on drinks.
These performers mingle with the men at the tables and solicit for
immoral purposes.
On August 10th, at (X320) La Salle avenue investigator saw a
colored woman playing the piano while her son played the violin. The
bartender said the boy was 14 years of age. There is a regular house
of prostitution upstairs conducted by the wife of the proprietor of
the saloon. On August 30th the boy was not seen in the place.
*For further data on Men in Saloons, see "Under Special typical cases," also
under Panders and Cadets, Chap. IV.
126 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
IX. Robbing in Saloons, (X321) avenue. Not on police list.
Conducted by colored men. Bebe, a white woman who solicits here,
told investigator how she had robbed a fellow of a pocket book con-
taining $40.00.
As pointed out above under "Entertainment," men who imperson-
ate females are among the vaudeville entertainers, in these saloons.
Unless these men are known, it is difficult to detect their sex. They
solicit men at the tables -for drinks the same as the women, and ask
them to go upstairs for pervert practices.
X. Dance Halls. In many cases public dance halls are located in
the same buildings with saloons. While bar permits are usually given
for the sale of liquor in the dance halls, the dancers have been seen
to frequent the rear rooms of saloons. In other cases the dance
halls are in the immediate vicinity of saloons and the dancers go to
these.
August 23. Investigator saw girls come out of a dance hall on
the northwest corner of (X322) and (X323) streets and go into a
saloon on ground floor with escorts.
August 37. Investigator saw four girls come out of (X324) dance
hall over saloon at (X325) West Madison street and go into rear
room with escorts. Girls appeared to be quite young.
XI. Children in Saloon. (X326) Wentworth avenue. Not on
police list. A bowling alley is connected with this saloon at rear of
bar. Proprietor told investigator that he had four "kids" employed
to set up the pins in the alley. The boys, he said, were 10 and 12
years old. They received two and one-half cents per game.
(X327) South Halsted street. Not on police list. Investigator saw
girl about 12 years of age behind the bar. Thought she was the
daughter of proprietor.
(X328) Noble street. While investigator was attending a dance in
a hall over this saloon on October 15th, he saw a girl not over 16
come into this saloon with a pitcher and buy five cents worth of
beer at the bar. 1
XII. Midnight Closing. (X329) North Clark street. On police
list. September llth, investigator in this saloon until 1 :30 A. M.
Three girls in here, one solicited him to go upstairs.
(X330) West Madison street. Not on police list. September 5th,
investigator went into this saloon at 1 :30 A. M. with Blanche
*See Chapter V, "Child Protection and Education," page 239.
THE SOCIAL EVIL AND THE SALOON 127
(X331), a vaudeville ginger at (X332), (X333) West Madison
street.
(X333a) avenue. Not on police list. Conducted by colored men.
White women soliciting in room upstairs. Was in this place until
4:00 A. M.
August 18th. (X334) West Madison street, in this saloon after
1 :00 A. M. 5 girls rooms upstairs.
August 27th. (X335) West Madison street, in this saloon at 2:30
A. M. 5 girls rooms upstairs.
August 27th. (X336) West Madison street, in this saloon at 3:10
A. M. 2 girls hotel over saloon.
August 23rd. (X337) West Madison street, in this saloon at 1:50
A. M. 14 girls, rooms upstairs.
August 13th. (X338) South State street. Proprietor will admit
persons in this saloon after 1 :00 A. M. if known. 5 girls in rear
room. (X338a) Hotel is over this saloon.
XIII. Police and Saloons zvhere Immoral Conditions Exist. This
subject is treated in full with typical instances in Chapter III, "The
Social Evil and The Police," page 143.
XIV. How Women Enter Lives of Prostitution through the Saloon.
Many of the women who frequent the saloons at the beginning are
not professional prostitutes. They are weak morally with a strong
desire for drink. They learn that generous men are there who wil-
lingly buy them drinks. Gradually these women find that they are
able to earn commissions from the saloon management on drinks.
Thus their visits become more frequent until they gradually drift into
a life of professional prostitution for the extra money.
A second class of women is the widow or divorced woman with
children. Many of these women are left without support and are
incapable of earning a living in the industrial world, and finally
resort to the saloon as an avenue to money making. As an illustration.
A woman now known as "the (X338a)" solicits in the (X339) Cafe
at (X340) South Halsted street. She told the investigator she was
a widow with two children. When her husband died she attempted to
work but found it impossible to support herself and her children on
the wages she received. As she had a fair voice she began to sing in
cafes. At this time she had no idea of "hustling," but when she
had to sit and drink with men, night after night, she was advised by
the waiters, by proprietors and by men she drank with to "hustle,"
as "she could make so much more out of it."
128 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
She resisted the temptation, however, until one night she was at-
tracted by a "cadet," and it was through his influence that she began
a life of prostitution, giving him part of the proceeds. She is not
living with the "cadet" at present, and consequently has saved some
money. This woman is about 40 years old and has been in the
business for several years. She testified to the fact that she had seen
many young and decent women "go to the bad" just through the
habit of frequenting saloons for the sake of persuading men to buy
drinks. At first these women come with a woman friend for a
sociable time. Soon they become acquainted with the waiters who
often give them drinks and are kind in other ways. These waiters
compliment them upon their physical charms. Then a waiter will
introduce one of his friends who buys them drinks. These men
see that the women are "green," and at first talk to them in a modest
way, and make them feel that they are friends. When the women
leave, they agree to come again in a few days.
As time goes on the supposed "friends" gradually lead up to a
conversation of a more suggestive nature. The women, probably loose
in morals, do not resent this familiarity and take it in good part.
As their circle of acquaintance among the, men grows, they begin to
receive a commission on drinks. They find they are earning from
$1.00 to $2.00 in an evening besides having a sociable time. This
opens their eyes to the possibility of making money so easily. The
men take advantage of this, and they all conspire in encouraging the
women to continue. It is only a matter of a short time until the
women are going upstairs or to nearby hotels as professional pros-
titutes.
The method used by the waiter, the proprietor and the cadet is
in appealing to the woman's vanity. They make them feel that they
are honored by having the privilege of giving them drinks. Thej
use this form of flattery and thus gradually attach the woman to their
particular saloon, saying they are glad to have them there, and that
they can make more money in their place than in any other.
This is the way which such women as Marcella (X341), the
(X341a), Violet (X341b), and Tantine (X342), became professional
prostitutes.
The third class includes the professional prostitute who started in
the dance hall, where she has acquired a liking for drink or others
THE SOCIAL EVIL AND THE SALOON 129
who have come from the street or from low priced houses.
This is a large class. They enter into business arrangements with
saloon keepers from the start, and it is through these that the pro-
prietor derives his large and abnormal profits.
XV. Solicitation in Connection with Saloons by Women. Aside
from solicitation in rear rooms of saloons, women stand in doorways
near the end of the bar and ask men to come into rear room and
buy drinks; then the men are solicited to go upstairs or other places.
(X343) West Madison street. Not on police list. Girls stood at
end of bar near door leading to rear room, asking men to buy them
drinks. Bartender "called" one girl because she spoke in a loud
voice to one man while a "fly cop" was in the place.
(X344) Wells street. On police list. Girls stood in doorway lead-
ing to bar and invited men into the rear room.
(X345) North Clark street. Not on police list. Rosie sat at end
of bar near door to rear room smoking a cigarette. Invited investigator
to enter room.
XVI. Protection of Women. It is the common practice for pro-
prietors to protect the girls who frequent their places. By protection
is meant the habit of paying the fine or bailing out the girls who are
arrested. Bebe at No. (X345a) Wabash avenue said that (X346),
the proprietor, offers this protection, and in return does not give the
girls commissions on drinks sold by them in the concert room at-
tached to the saloon.
XVII. Vulgarity in Saloons. On November 6th, (X347) saloon.
Investigator saw two dancers in the rear room of this saloon. One
of these women had on a loose blouse and when she danced this
blouse was lifted up, exposing her naked body. Two detectives came
in during this performance. One of them is called (X347a).
At (X348) West Van Buren street, a girl exposed herself to men
in the room. Proprietor conducts a house of ill-fame at (X349) Curtis
street.
At (X350) West Lake street. The men and women use the toilet
room at the same time. This place was ordered closed by police on
August llth. It was open on August 23rd.
(X351) South Halsted street. Is a rough place with noisy and
vulgar women. It is a common practice for women in the saloons to
stand at the door of the toilet, and ask men to buy drinks or solicit
them as they come out.
(X352) South Halsted street. Not on police list. Women vulgar
and dirty exposed themselves.
130 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
(X353) South State street. Not on police list. Entertainers tell
vulgar and smutty jokes and sing suggestive and indecent songs.
(X354) South Halsted street. Not on police list. Women vulgar
and dirty. One woman with breasts hanging outside of dress sat in
the balcony with a man at a table. Detectives in room at this time.
XVIII. Hozv Saloon Keepers Make Abnormal Profits by Allowing
Professional Prostitutes to Frequent Rear Rooms or Upstairs. As
pointed out above certain saloon proprietors make a business of en-
couraging professional prostitutes to make their headquarters in the
rear rooms. Some have a definite understanding with these women
and they are protected in different ways, as well as given commission
on the drinks they persuade men to buy. In some instances the
fines of the women are paid by the proprietors, or bail is furnished
by them. In other words the saloon keepers stand in much the same
relation to the prostitute in his saloon as madames do towards in-
mates of regular houses of prostitution.
Instances have been found where prostitutes actually live in rooms
over the saloon, and spend the afternoon as well as evenings in the
rear room, in much the same way as inmates appear in the parlors of
regular houses of prostitution.
To all intents and purposes, then, many saloons are actually houses
of prostitution with inmates.
Another class of saloon is that which allows prostitutes who so-
licit on the street, or for nearby hotels and flats, to make the rear
rooms their rendezvous for the purpose of bringing men or to solicit
customers.
This system has enabled many saloon keepers to become wealthy
in a short time. They receive abnormal profits from the sale of
liquor in the rear rooms and upstairs. They also receive enormous
rents by the month for assignation rooms upstairs. These rooms are
often rented several times during the afternoon or evening. The
following observations bring these points out more clearly.
a. Profits on Beer when Sold in Rear Rooms of Saloons. When
a man enters the rear rooms of a saloon of the type mentioned above,
the prostitutes endeavor to persuade him to buy drinks, on which
she receives a commission. The usual price for a pint bottle of beer
when purchased by a man under these circumstances is 25 cents.
This pint does not cost the saloon keeper more than four cents.
THE SOCIAL EVIL AND THE SALOON 131
b. Profits on Counterfeit Drinks when Sold in the Rear Rooms of
Saloons. The largest profit, however, is made on mixed drinks of
various kinds which prostitutes in the rear rooms encourage the men
customers to buy. When such a man orders any kind of drink besides
beer the portion brought to the prostitute is counterfeit, though the
customer has paid the usual rear room price.
It must be remembered also that the price of these counterfeit drinks
is doubled if served upstairs, so the margin of profit is much larger.
On the night of October 14, a contractor spent several hundred
dollars buying wine in the rear room of a saloon at (X355) Soutfe
Halsted street.
Looking at the matter with these facts in mind one may imagine
why it is so difficult to enforce the police regulations prohibiting the
presence of prostitutes in the rear rooms of saloons.
The investigation of the (X356) Cafe at (X357) South Halsted
street, shows that on September 27th, 23 prostitutes were in the
rear room of this saloon asking men to buy drinks and soliciting them
for immoral purposes. The price of a pint of beer in this rear room
is 25 cents. In some cases it was sold for 15 cents. The entertain-
ment in the rear room consists of cheap vaudeville.
Mr. (X358) told the investigator that he would have to close his
business in a month if he did not have the women in the rear room.
This place is not on the police list.
Harry (X358a), who has been a waiter in saloons and manager
of such places for the past 15 years, said that the majority of these
saloons which cater to prostitutes, could not exist over six weeks with-
out them. He further stated that (X359), at (X360) South Halsted
street, for whom he is now working, had absolutely nothing when he
opened his place. He is reported to have made a large fortune in
this business in a short time.
On August 11, 1910, investigator counted eight prostitutes in the
rear room of (X361) saloon. On August 29th, seven prostitutes, on
September 27th, 10 prostitutes, all asking men to buy drinks and
soliciting them for immoral purposes. The entertainment in this
place consists of cheap vaudeville. This saloon is not on the police
list.
On the night of August llth, investigator- witnessed a crap game
in one of the upstairs rooms. It lasted until 9 :00 A. M. August 12th.
This is another source of profit to many of these saloon keepers.
Perhaps even more than the sale of liquor.
c. Cumulative Rent for Assignation Rooms Over Saloons. In ad-
dition to the abnormal profit on liquor, the saloon keeper who caters
to prostitutes increases his profits, in many instances, by renting rooms
132 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
upstairs in the same building for assignation purposes.
These rooms as a rule are fittted up at very little cost, with a rude
bed, two chairs, a wash stand, with cheap pitcher and wash bowl and
two towels, laundered many, many times.
The following cases showing methods of soliciting and selling drinks
are typical: On August 15th, investigator counted 15 prostitutes in
the rear room of a saloon at (X362) North Clark street. (Not on
police list.) He was solicited to go to room in hotel over saloon,
price of room, 50 cents and $1.00 for a short time. Beer is sold in
rear room for 25 cents per pint.
Saloon at (X363) North Clark street. On police list. August 10th,
investigator counted nine prostitutes in rear room. Solicited by
Goldie. September 23rd, 11 prostitutes, solicited by "Tommy At-
kins," price of room upstairs, $1.00.
It is seen then, that the sale of liquor in connection with prostitu-
tion in saloons and hotels, as in the case with regular houses, is an
enormous source of profit and one of the most practical ways to deal
a blow at the Social Evil, is to absolutely divorce the sale of liquor
from prostitution in all of these places.
The reason why this is so difficult to do is easily seen. The proper
enforcement of the law is hindered because of the enormous profits in
this business to the lawbreaker. 1
TYPICAL CASES IN CONNECTION WITH SALOONS.
XIX. Cases of Girls in Saloons and their Condition at Present
Time, or Previous to Taking up this Life.
(X264) South State street. Not on police list. Violet, 20 years
old. Ruined by waiter at (X365), (X366) Cottage Grove avenue.
Lived with him. While away attending her father's funeral he left
her. She then went into business "proper."
(X367) South State street. Not on police list. Mignon lives at
(X368) street and Wabash avenue,. Married, but husband would not
support her and made her go to work. Found prostitution easier
way to make a living. Left husband and went into business "right."
(X369) South Halsted street. Not on police list. Rosie (X369a)
said she ran away from home to go on stage six years ago and drifted
into the life.
(X370) avenue. Not on police list. Conducted by colored men.
White women solicit in room upstairs. Bebe (X371) and Tantine
'For further data on "Profits from Prostitution in Chicago," see Chapter I,
page 95.
THE SOCIAL EVIL AND THE SALOON 133
(X372) live in a private house in Englewood. Gave 'phone number but
not address. Tantine said she was trying to secure a divorce from Her
husband, and when she did she was going to open a flat.
(X373) Wells street. On police list. Little Rosie, "the Kid," said
she was not yet 18 years old, and that all the girls in the saloons were
"chickens." They appeared to be quite as young to investigator. Four-
teen girls in this saloon.
(X374) Western avenue. Violet (X375) said she did not go around
much. Lives at home but wants spending money. She knew of no
place to go except brick yard two blocks away. Said she was 18 years
old. Seven other girls in this saloon.
(X376) Rush street. Not on police list. Betty and Bebe were at
side door. Said they were out for a good time. Live in furnished
room. Would go any place for $1.00.
(X377) North State street. Not on police list. Met Marcella at
side door. Has a private room at (X378) North State street. Mar-
ried in (X379), deserted in (X380) and had to go out and "hustle."
Been immoral one year.
(X381) North Clark street. Not on police list. Investigator saw
girl come out of this place and meet girl friend across the street. They
both came back and went into saloon. Investigator followed. Girls
drank sherry wine. Said they had run away from home so they
would not have to go to school. They met a fellow who got them
a job in (X882) department store, where they each make $5.50 per
week. They can't live on this so they "hustle" on the side. They
think this is better than going to school, and not having any spend-
ing money, besides they were their own boss. Mignon said she was
18, Violet said she was 19. They have a private room in a furnished
room house in middle of block on (X383) street east of Clark, but
would not give the number.
(X384) Harbor avenue. On police list. Girl a hard drinker.
While investigator was in saloon she had two fainting spells, one last-
ing 20 minutes, the other 10 minutes. This was the ninth spell she had
had that evening.
This girl was formerly a domestic servant, but says she "don't want
to work at that hard graft any more." To quote her own words,
"The ladies when they got money to hire servants imagine they have
some kind of a dog to kick around, and I don't want to be kicked
around."
(X385) Harbor avenue. On police list. Girl said her cousin had
put her in the business soon after she came to this country.
(X836) South Halsted street. Not on police list. Violet (X387)
about 35 years of age. Working in mailing department of (X388).
"Hustles" in cafes on Halsted street at night. Has a cadet.
Violet came from Louisville, Kentucky. She is trying to save
enough money to open a rooming house in this city.
(X839) North Clark street. Not on police list. Rosie (X390) so-
licited in here. Lives on La Salle avenue. Does not take men
134 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
to her room, but would go to hotel (391), (X392) North Clark
street, or any other hotel. Came to Chicago from Nebraska.
(X393) South Halsted street. Not on police list. Josey, 19 years old.
Said she was afraid she was in trouble. Does not care what becomes
of her. First went out with a man for a good time. Afterwards
met other fellows. Don't know who is to blame for her condition.
Expects to leave town as soon as she can earn enough money. Going
to Saginaw, Michigan, and enter a house of prostitution she knows
of there.
(X394) Root street. Not on police list. Violet solicited investi-
gator to go upstairs. Price $1.00 or $2.00. Room, 50 cents. Has a
mother to keep and needs the money. Could not make anything
working so she and her girl friend, Georgie, started to "hustle." Violet
is 23 years old.
(X395) West Madison street. Not on police list. May solicited in-
vestigator. Said she was 16 years old. Left home because she had
to work in a department store for $4.00 per week and "hustling" was
easier.
(X395a) South State street. Not on police list. Tantine, solicited
investigator, is 19 years of age and just started to "hustle." Says it
is easier than waiting on table for $1.00 per day.
(X396) Wentworth avenue. Not on police list. Lizzie was stand-
ing in doorway. Invited investigator into saloon. Five men were
gambling in rear room. Lizzie said she could get a room upstairs,
price of room, 50 cents and $1.00. 1
SPECIAL TYPICAL CASES.
A. (X397) Wabash avenue. Not on police list. This saloon is
operated by Jim (X398) and John (X399). The partnership was
formed only recently. The cafe is known as the (X400). This place
is open all the time, the entertainment lasting until 5 :00 A. M. Ad-
mittarice after 1 :00 A. M. is made through the side door, leading
off a main passageway from the street, to the left of the building.
Jule (X401), a waiter in this place and brother of (X402), one of the
proprietors, lives on (X403) avenue near (X404) street with a girl
.who is kept by Rube (X405), alias Si (X406), one of the entertainers
in the cafe. "Rube is a married man and his wife lives at (X407 and
(X408) avenue.
1. Entertainment. The entertainment is by means of an electric
piano and three men singers, who sing popular ragtime songs wkh
indecent parodies, wearing various costumes. These entertainers re-
*For other cases of women in saloons, see "Special Typical Cases."
THE SOCIAL EVIL AND THE SALOON 135
ceive $2.00 per day each, besides the money they are able to collect
from the customers.
2. Waiters and Prostitutes. There are two waiters who make an
average of $75.00 per week on tips and such money as they carl
make on overcharges, which custom is very extensively practiced
by them. After 1:00 A. M., the bar at the front of the place is
closed, but a closet containing all the intoxicating beverages necessary
is opened, and beer in bottles and all liquors are sold from this
closet. There are but few solicitors who actually stay in this saloon
continuously, most of them traveling from one cafe to another, us-
ually to (X409) and (X410) and back again. There are three girls
who really belong there, one Marjie (X411), a girl of about 20 years
old, who has only been in the restricted district for about two months.
Previous to this, she was in the habit of frequenting the (X412), a
dance hall at (X413) and (X414) streets, which place she blames for
her downfall. Fifie (X415), a girl living on (X416) street with her
parents, solicits very irregularly, her principal reason for frequenting
this place is because she likes the associations.
Gladys (X417), formerly a habitue of (X418) resort, frequents this
place and solicits.
The rest of the girls soliciting in this saloon are all habitues of
other resorts, who are here at various intervals, and go back and forth.
The girls are not paid by the keeper, nor do they receive any com-
mission on the drinks sold. One of the partners,, Jim (X398), was,
up to the time he bought this place, a waiter in (X420), otherwise
known as the (X421) on (X422) street, corner of an alley, between
(X423) and Wabash. He is a habitual user of cocaine and opium.
His brother, one of the waiters there, has been charged with abduc-
tion in the case of Bessie (X424), who formerly lived at (X425)
Lake avenue. The charge was dropped, due to the fact that the
girl left for New York City, where she is at present. On or about
October 1, 1909, he married this girl at (X426), Indiana, in spite
of the fact that he was previously married and had two children. The
parents of Bessie (X424) then had him arrested for bigamy, and he
was sentenced to serve two months in jail at (X428), which he did.
The marriage was then annulled. Jim (X398) secured the finances
for the opening of this saloon from his brother, Hal (X431), who is
the owner of the (X432) and the (X433) cafes on (X434) street.
There is no hotel directly connected with this cafe. The nearest
hotel is about one-half block away, but the solicitors usually cater to
the (X435) hotel, where they receive a commission of about 50 p'er
cent.
The (X436) Cafe, (X437) West Madison street. Located in the
heart of the West Side levee, it has a greater patronage than any '
cafe on the West Side. House upstairs, two women. On police list. t
This cafe is owned by two partners. One of the partners, (X438),
is the active head of the business, and was a popular saloon keeper.
He is at present living with a woman called (X439), who is a solicitor
136 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
in (X440) Cafe at (X441) and (X442) street. The other partner is
(X443). He is living with a woman called Paulette (X444), who keeps
a house of prostitution at (X445) West Madison street.
This house is popularly known by the old number, (X446), and
receives most of its patronage from the West Side. Mr. (X447) is
king here and his brother is a cadet attached to the house. There are
five girls in this house. They charge $1.00 and sell beer at 50 cents a
pint. The cafe at (X448) West Madison street consists of a main
entrance and one entrance for the saloon, as there is a bar on one
side. On the other side is an entrance leading into a hallway, which
has a little side door leading into cafe. The stairs lead up into a
house of prostitution, but this house is not connected in any way
with 'the owners of the cafe.
There are four waiters working here, one (X449), is living with a
prostitute on Wabash avenue. The woman he has now is (X450),
who is one of the regular solicitors in (X451) hall. The other waiter
called (X452) is living with some prostitute at (X453) place at
(X454 West Madison street. Not on police list. The third waiter
named (X455) goes out when he is invited. The fourth is a fellow
who is trying to become a cadet.
The entertainment consists of three men singers and a piano
player (man), also one woman singer. The oldest one here is
(X455a), he has worked at this place for about one year. He lives
with (X456) at No. (X457) Dearborn street.
The partonage on Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday nights is
largely from (X458) dance hall at the corner of (X459) and (X460),
about one-half block away.
There are a large number of hotels around here, but the one doing
the most business is the (X461), (X462) and (X463) hotel, all at the
corner of (X464) and (X465), or a few doors away.
Quite a number of young girls come to this cafe from the dances
and become intoxicated.
At 1 :00 A. M. the entertainment promptly stops, the lights are
turned low and outside entrance to bar locked and window shades
pulled down. Most of the people leave, but such as are known or are
invited by the owners move to the rear of the saloon.
Any one can gain admittance to this saloon after closing hours if
they are known. The signal is to knock on the little door in the hall-
way, and if they are not suspicious the person knocking is invited to
enter.
(X466) Cafe (X467) West Madison street. House of prostitution,
seven room over (X467). On police list. Two women, named Violet
and Rosie (X469), owners of the saloon, said to be (X470 and
(X471). (X472) owned place for five years. In spring of this year
he sold to (X473), owner of saloon at (X474) South Halsted street.
(X475) in turn sold to (X476), who is said to own a house of prosti-
tution on (X477) street./ Later (X478) sold to (X470) and (X471).
One of the waiters in this place has a record. His name is (X481).
THE SOCIAL EVIL AND THE SALOON 137
Until last summer he lived with a prostitute at (X482) West Madison
street. She went to Canada, but writes to him. When she came
back he was arrested on a charge of importing women for immoral
purposes. He was released on $5,000.00 bail furnished by (X483),
for whom he was working at that time. The girl was not allowed to
return. (X484) was finally released and the matter dropped.
He then became a cadet for a girl called (X485), whose parents
live on (X486) avenue. She was a prostitute in (X487) house at
(X488) West Madison street. She left this house when (X489)
left (X490) and (X491) employ and entered a house at (X492) West
Madison street. She stayed there until some time in September. At
present she is soliciting at (X493) saloon at (X494) South Hal-
sted street.
(X495), another waiter in this cafe, is married and has one child.
He has a prostitute in a house at (X496) street ; her name is Fifie. The
price is 50 cents in this house but she gives him on an average of
$6.00 per day.
In July, 1910, (X497) was taken to Washington on some charge, he
said it was for buying stolen property. His friends took up a col-
lection, and he finally came back. (X498) took care of his wife and
child while he was away.
There is a chop suey restaurant next door to this cafe, with an
entrance to the saloon through the kitchen. ' There is also an entrance
from the alley which leads into a small rear room with a closet
connected with it. This is said to be the exclusive entrance for
ofHcers. Investigator has seen four officers in uniform in this room
at one time, drinking bottled beer, which is in the closet.
Lights are out at 1 :00 A. M., the music stops, but no one is asked
to leave if they are known or have not aroused any suspicion. Others
enter after knocking on the door leading from the chop suey restaurant
next door.
(X499) Saloon, (X500) Dearborn street. Not on police list. Oc-
tober 26th, investigator saw women from the rooms over the saloon.
They called to men at the bar to buy them drinks. Investigator was
invited to go upstairs.
October 29th. Eight women unescorted in the rear room. They
opened the door leading to the bar and invited men to enter the rear
room.
Officer No. (X501) came into the saloon in uniform, but paid no
attention to women in rear room. He was given a bottle of beer which
he drank at the bar. He was there about thirty minutes. After
1 :00 A. M. the women went to wine room upstairs where drinks are
sold all night.
November 2. Women stood in doorway leading to rear room
and invited men at bar to enter. Investigator saw a man standing
in front of a saloon who was seen to press an electric button at-
tached to a buzzer, when an officer approached the place.
138 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
Disorderly Saloons near School Houses. The attention of the
Commission has been called to several disorderly saloons which are
in close proximity to certain public schools. One of the most notorious
is on (XSOla) street. The school property adjoins the lot on which the
saloon building is erected. The distance from the entrance to the
saloon to the entrance to the school is eighty-two steps. The distance
from the "ladies" entrance to the saloon to the edge of the school
property is thirty-five steps.
On Saturday, November 26th, an investigator counted eighteen
prostitutes in the rear room of this saloon. Five of these women
solicited investigator for immoral purposes. The bartender named
(X502) has two women who "hustle" for him, one in the rear room
of this saloon, and one in a house of prostitution.
Every effort to secure the revocation of the license has been in
vain. The bartender said it did no good to make complaints against
this place.
SUMMARY.
1. Some of these disorderly saloons are under the control or favor
2. The facts show that .a certain brewing company is endeavoring
to buy the licenses of saloons in the restricted district of South Chi-
cago at a premium.
3. The president of the Brewers' Exchange declares this organi-
zation is opposed to the sale of liquor in connection with houses of
prostitution.
4. Brewers furnish beer for saloons which are disorderly.
5. Saloon keepers have a regular system of advertising their
places, by use of cards and special entertainments.
6. Some disorderly saloons employ "lookouts" to stand in front
and "tip off" the approach of police. They use electric buzzers and
hand' signals.
7. Proprietors, bartenders, waiters and entertainers in certain sa-
loons are willing to aid in securing women for houses of prostitu-
tion.
8. These disreputable saloons are frequented by panders, cadets
and other dissolute and vicious men.
9. Immoral and disgusting entertainments are given on a stage in
the rear rooms of certain disorderly saloons.
10. Professional escorts are hired by keepers of disorderly sa-
THE SOCIAL EVIL AND THE SALOON 139
loons to sit with prostitutes in the rear rooms to evade the police
rules.
-11. Intoxicated men in rear rooms are often robbed by the women.
12. Degenerate men frequent the rear rooms. Some are female
impersonaters who solicit for drinks and endeavor to induct customers
to indulge in pervert practices.
13. Some saloons frequented by prostitutes are in the same build-
ing in which dances are given by so-called pleasure clubs. Fre-
quently the managers of these dance halls are the proprietors of the
saloons.
14. Children are allowed to peddle gum and papers in certain dis-
orderly saloons.
15. The sale of beer in the rear room when drunk in company
with a prostitute returns a margin of profit of nearly 180 per cent,
to the proprietor of the saloon.
16. The sale of counterfeit drinks which are given prostitutes
who are drinking with men in the rear room returns a margin of
profit of over 350 per cent., when the drink is a champagne cocktail,
and a profit of over 300 per cent, when the drink is a Manhattan
cocktail.
17. The margin of profit on beer when sold to occupants of as-
signation rooms over the saloon is 360 per cent.
18. As a result of the practice of using prostitutes as agents to
sell liquor, the profits are so large as to be a source of constant temp-
tation to the police and others in authority.
19. The rule regarding midnight closing is constantly violated in
these disorderly saloons.
-20. Certain police officers do not report all saloons where immoral
and dissolute persons congregate.
~~^B1. Officers on the beat and plain clothes men do not enforce
the rule regarding soliciting in rear rooms, keeping open after 1 :00
A. M., etc.
22. Certain police officers afe on friendly terms with "cadets" and
waiters who have women soliciting on the street, in the same saloon or
some other in the vicinity.
- 23. Police officers in uniform and plain clothes men frequent
disorderly saloons and drink at the bar and in rooms connected with
140 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
the saloons while on duty. They have been seen in saloons after 1 :00
A. M.
24. Proprietors of disorderly saloons have a regular system of
securing women to solicit men to buy drinks in the rear rooms, and
these women are often tempted to take up a life of professional prosti-
tution, if they are not doing so already.
25. Professional prostitutes are to all intent and purposes used
as adjuncts to the business of selling liquor in the rear rooms, in
connection with their immoral trade.
26. Certain saloons are in reality houses of prostitution for the
women actually live in rooms upstairs, and solicit in the rear rooms
for upstairs trade. They pay a certain amount each week for board
and room, to the proprietor of the saloon.
27. Young working girls, who are now semi-professional prosti-
tutes, are admitted to rear rooms of certain disorderly saloons.
28. In certain saloons the prostitutes actually expose parts of their
naked body and use vulgar and obscene language.
29. In some saloons the prostitutes actually use the same toilet
with the men.
30. Prostitutes stand in doorway leading to rear rooms in cer-
tain disorderly saloons and solicit men at the bar.
31. Certain keepers of disorderly saloons offer protection to pros-
titutes who solicit in their rear rooms. This consists of paying fines
and bailing out the offenders who are apprehended by the police.
32. Efforts are being made, especially on the North Side, to again
create wine rooms or booths enclosed by curtains in the rear rooms.
33. Some disorderly saloons are within a short distance of public
school buildings, and it seems utterly impossible to secure the revoca-
tion of the licenses or persuade the proprietors to move.
34. Exact data is not at hand, but it is estimated by a city official,
. who is in a position to know, that about 25 licenses have been perma-
nently revoked on the ground that disreputable persons were allowed
to congregate in saloons.
Chapter III.
The Social Evil and
the Police.
CHAPTER III.
THE SOCIAL EVIL AND THE POLICE.
Whenever an attempt is made to study the Social Evil problem,
the police become at once the object of interest and investigation.
Before a just criticism can be made, however, it is necessary to
investigate the causes that have brought about conditions which the
police are supposed to control. When this is not done, well mean-
ing persons, after a superficial investigation of existing conditions, are
inclined to make the sweeping statement that the entire department is
corrupt, that all the officers on the beat are grafters, and that pro-
tection money is paid to Inspectors of Divisions and Captains of
Precincts.
In order, therefore, to be fair in reporting upon the Police and the
Social Evil, it becomes necessary, first, to point out the peculiar condi-
tions, with the underlying causes that exist in a city, and, second,
to show what influences these conditions have had upon men who are
sworn to enforce the law.
In the first place, then, the laws now on the statute books for the
protection of society against the Social Evil were enacted by legislators,
the majority of whom came from the country districts, and who ex-
pected them to regulate affairs in large cities as well as in country
towns.
Unfortunately, experience has shown that this is quite impossible.
The laws prohibiting houses of ill-fame can be and are enforced in a
small community. But the situation is more difficult in a city the
size of Chicago. Here an individual may, if he chooses, live any
life he pleases, so far as his personal habits are concerned, and no
one be the wiser.
Often the country man, who stands as a pillar of strength in his
rural community, does not live up to his home standard when he
comes to the city, and helps to encourage disregard for law, and thus
increases the difficulties of the problem. If such a man, fresh from
a town where this law is strictly enforced, does not hesitate to violate
it when he comes to the city, what can be expected of citizens of
143
144 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
the city, if they look upon the conditions with indifference, and thereby
grow callous to the violation of the law.
Thus it has come to pass that the law against houses of prostitu-
tion has become inoperative in cities, and in its place has grown up a
custom of tolerance and indifference, which has resulted in peculiar
conditions, strange to the eyes of law-abiding men.
Is it fair, then, to fasten the entire blame for such conditions
upon the police as a whole, who in the last analysis are merely the
servants of the people, and as servants do their will?
But go a step further, and see how these conditions grow even
more complex, and difficult to handle.
This tolerance and indifference toward the law by the citizens have
gone so far in Chicago, that for years the people have seen de-
velop under their very eyes a system of restricted districts under
police regulation, the result of which has been to nullify the law, and
render it inoperative. In one district a police regulation takes the
place of the law. In another, the law becomes operative to a slight
degree, while in still a third it is apparently enforced.
So it happens that the people of Chicago, by their tacit consent,
have put aside the operation of the law, and made it a thing to be
manipulated this way or that, according to expediency.
Again, it is submitted that it is not fair to lay the blame entirely
upon the police, the servants of the people, who as servants, do their
employer's will.
As a result of this attitude toward the law on the part of the
community, the police department has been in a sense demoralized and
has come to exercise a discretion which was never intended it should
have.
One of the Municipal Court judges who appeared before the Com-
mission in a conference said that in his opinion "it is this discretion
which makes graft in the police department possible. The law-abiding
citizen will not pay graft to anyone, for the protection of his busi-
ness. He relies upon the law's protection. It is only the man who
is engaged in an unlawful business who will pay graft, for the pro-
tection of that unlawful business. We have in every large city in
this country the anomalous situation of the police officers, the guard-
ians of the law, attempting to regulate an unlawful business, a con-
dition which is certain to produce more or less corruption."
THE SOCIAL EVIL AND THE POLICE 145
The words of this judge sum up the situation, and if it can be
shown that the police have abused the discretion given them by the
people; that by their connivance, the Social Evil is fostered and al-
lowed to grow, through bribery and corruption, then the facts should
be ascertained to the end that the public be aroused to its responsi-
bility, and that such practices cease.
It is stated that the police force of Chicago is made up of eight
inspectors and 4,288 officers, or one policeman for every 590 inhab-
itants.
No fair-minded man would say that this large body of men has
been swept into this system of bribery and corruption and that they
deliberately foster the Social Evil. To so affirm would be a libel
not only against the Department, but against the City of Chicago.
But it is within reason to say that owing to the peculiar conditions
which the people have allowed to exist so long, temptations have de-
veloped which some have not been able to resist.
These temptations have assailed officers high in control and no doubt
some have fallen. Some men under these officers have seen the
rewards, and no doubt they too have fallen. It remains to show
by presentation of facts as shown in the typical cases just to what
extent these temptations have assailed members of the police force,
and how far the corrupting influences of the conditions of which
they are the victim have extended.
EXISTING CONDITIONS.
I. The Social Evil in Chicago. The evil of prostitution finds its
most acute expression in Chicago in the following ways: In recog-
nized houses in so-called restricted districts; in semi-recognized flats
in residential districts; in assignation hotels, in restricted, residential
and business districts; in rear rooms of saloons, in assignation rooms
over saloons, in restricted, residential and business districts, and on
the street in restricted, residential, and business districts.
II. Police Rules and Regulations. When the present General Su-
perintendent of Police was appointed, he found that there were cer-
tain so-called restricted districts, where the operation of the law
had been nullified by custom and precedent. Under such conditions,
146 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
he felt that in order to lessen as far as could be the evil influences of
prostitution, the best he could do would be to issue certain rules and
regulations for the guidance of the police and demand that they be
obeyed.
These Rules and Regulations were issued on April 29, 1910. 1
In transmitting these rules and regulations, the General Superin-
tendent of Police issued certain instructions to the inspectors. In
these instructions he said :
"In order that there may be no misunderstanding, the inten-
tion of this order is to absolutely divorce the liquor traffic from
prostitution, professional or casual.
Saloons that are adjacent to resorts shall have all connection
absolutely and permanently barred; nor will saloons be permitted
to sell drinks to be carried into resorts.
A general announcement on this matter some weeks since
has given all interested ample time to dispose of stock on hand.
All should be given to understand that those offending in this
regard may expect that their place shall be immediately and per-
manently closed.
In order to insure the practical abolition of this liquor traffic
as referred to above, the patrolmen on the posts must watch
all known suspected places, and report to their commanding of-
ficer wherever the delivery of goods, or any suspicious incident
suggests, that the place should be investigated. A report is ex-
pected from each inspector as made to him by his subordinates
each month, stating just what has been done and the conditions
existing in his division at the time of report.
In a word it is to be absolutely understood that this regula-
tion is permanent and complete, and must be rigorously enforced,
and permanently and faithfully observed."
///. Police Records. As the business of the police department
regarding the Social Evil is to enforce the law, and the rules and
regulations in districts where the law has become inoperative, it is
natural to suppose that all places where the regulations are being
violated, or where there is a suspicion of violation would be known
and classified by the Department.
With this in mind, the investigation of the Social Evil as under-
taken by the Commission was based upon a list of such places, fur-
nished by the General Superintendent of Police. This list was made
up from the reports of Inspectors throughout the city, as to condi-
x For text of Rules, see Appendix XXI.
THE SOCIAL EVIL AND THE POLICE 147
tions found by their subordinates in their different police divisions.
This list was received August 16, 1910.
An analysis of this list showed, briefly, that there were 142 houses
of prostitution in the City of Chicago, known to the police of seven
different precincts, namely, the 3d, 4th, 12th, 15th, 27th, 28th and
38th. These houses harbored 860 inmates and 142 madames or keep-
ers, making a total of 1,002 women engaged in this business in recog-
nized houses. In addition, the list gave 549 inmates in 261 flats located
at 181 separate addresses with 261 madames or keepers, making a total
of 810 women engaged in this business in flats. The record further
stated that there were 51 hotels which cater to an immoral trade.
Thirty-eight of these places were conducted by men and 13 by women.
This made a grand total of 1,825 women engaged in the business of
prostitution, according to the police list, either as inmates or keepers,
at 374 separate addresses.
It is interesting to note that no saloons where immoral and dissolute
persons congregate were given as such in this list. Which fact was
quite contrary to the instructions issued by the General Superintendent
of Police when transmitting the new rules and regulations to the
inspectors.
With this list as a basis, a field investigation was undertaken. From
July 15th to September 30th inclusive the investigators found 35C
houses, hotels, flats and assignation rooms. They counted 370 prosti-
tutes connected with 150 of these places, and were solicited by 150
different women for immoral purposes. Of the 150 places where
prostitution existed, 45 were on the police list and 105 were not.
Of the 78 houses, hotels, flats and assignation rooms discovered by
saloon investigators, and which were not in the same building with the
saloon, four were on the police list, 45 were not, and 29 were doubtful,
as the addresses were not secured. This made a total of 150 ad-
dresses of this character, which the police apparently had no record
of.
During this same period investigators secured information con-
cerning 275 saloons. They counted 779 women who were frequenting
these saloons, and were solicited for immoral purposes by more than
206 different prostitutes in 206 different saloons. Of the 275 saloons
visited, 46 were on the police list and 229 were not, making a grand
148 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
total of 379 places where immoral and dissolute persons actually con-
gregated or where there was a strong suspicion of such conditions,
which were not on the police list received August 16, 1910.
In view of the facts brought out by the field investigation, it was
thought that the list received August 16, 1910, was incomplete, and
did not give an accurate account of the conditions prevailing through-
out the city. The General Superintendent of Police felt the same way
and ordered another list prepared for the Commission.
The- new list was received on October 26, 1910.
It is interesting to compare the police list received on October 26th
with the previous list received on August 16th. An analysis of the
list received October 26th, shows that there are 192 houses of pros-
titution (August list, 142) with 2,343 rooms, in 7 different precincts
(August list, 5) with 1,012 inmates (August list, 860), and 189
madames or keepers (August list, 142). In addition the list gives 272
flats (August list, 261) with 960 rooms at 151 separate addresses
(August list, 181) with 419 inmates (August list, 549), and 252 keep-
ers (August list, 261).
The list also contains the addresses of 42 hotels (August list, 51)
with 1,222 rooms which cater to an immoral trade, and among the
keepers are 8 women (August list, 13). This makes a grand total of
1,880 women (August list, 1,825) engaged in the business of prosti-
tution, either as inmates or keepers at 385 separate addresses. (Au-
gust list, 374.) These houses, flats and hotels, contain 4,525 rooms
used for immoral purposes. There seems to be some confusion in the
minds of inspectors regarding the order from the General Superintend-
ent of Police to report disorderly places in the precincts within their
particular districts. One inspector said that such a list is kept, but the
places are not reported to headquarters unless asked for. Two other
inspectors said that there is an order for each inspector to report all
disorderly places found in the different police precincts each month,
and these reports should include all saloons frequented by prostitutes.
The list received from police headquarters on October 26th contained
the addresses of 15 hotels and 9 houses in the 2nd police precinct;
2 hotels, 107 houses and 42 flats in the 3rd police precinct; 3 houses
and 101 flats in the 4th precinct; 25 houses in the 15th precinct;
3 hotels, 38 houses, and 59 flats in the 27th precinct; 3 hotels and 34
THE SOCIAL EVIL AND THE POLICE 149
flats in the 28th precinct; 19 hotels, 10 houses, and 36 flats in the
38th precinct. 1
Of this number which were on the police list, 3 hotels and 9 houses
were investigated in the 2nd precinct; 13 flats in the 4th precinct;
9 houses in the 15th precinct; 3 hotels, 22 houses and 1 flat in the
27th precinct; 2 hotels, 2 houses, and 1 flat in the 28th precinct;
16 hotels, 8 houses and 15 flats in the 38th precinct.
The saloon investigation revealed the fact that there were a large
number of hotels, flats and houses in these precincts, which were not
on the police list as follows:
In the 3rd precinct, 10 hotels, 6 over saloons and 4 nearby; 8 flats,
5 over saloons and 3 nearby; and 1 house over a saloon.
In the 4th precinct, 2 places with assignation rooms, 1 over a
saloon, and 1 nearby.
In the 15th precinct, 3 places with assignation rooms, over the
saloons, and 13 houses over saloons.
In the 27th precinct, 14 hotels, 6 over saloons, and 8 nearby; 50
assignation rooms or flats, 38 over saloons and 12 nearby, and 6 houses
over saloons.
In the 38th precinct, 19 hotels, 15 over saloons, 4 nearby; 35 as-
signation rooms or flats, 18 over saloons and 17 nearby; and 1 house
over saloon.
In addition to this, investigators have found disorderly places in
police precincts, reports of which have not apparently been received at
police headquarters. These are as follows:
In the 1st precinct, 25 hotels and 2 assignation rooms or flats.
In the 5th precinct, 2 hotels, 12 assignation rooms or flats, and 1
house.
In the 8th precinct, 1 hotel.
In the 10th precinct, 1 flat and 1 house.
In the llth precinct, 4 hotels and 9 assignation room or flats.
In the 12th precinct, 1 hotel and 4 assignation rooms or flats.
In the 17th precinct, 13 assignation rooms or flats.
In the 19th precinct, 10 assignation rooms or flats.
In the 39th precinct, 3 hotels, 6 assignation rooms or flats, and 2
houses.
'Table I.
150 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
In the 41st precinct, 1 flat.
The above, of course, only include places which were actually in-
vestigated. There are others.
In other words, the investigation of 236 saloons in all the pre-
cincts, namely the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 15th, 27th, 28th, 38th, 5th, 8th, 10th,
llth, 12th, 17th, 19th, 39th, and 41st, led to the location of 33 hotels
over saloons, 37 hotels, not over saloons, 82 assignation rooms or flats
over saloons, 60 not over saloons and 24 houses over saloons. 1
In addition, an investigation of precincts where no places were re-
ported and indepedent of saloons showed 8 hotels in the 1st precinct;
1 house and 8 assignation rooms or flats in the 5th precinct; 1 hotel
and 4 assignation rooms or flats in the llth pracinct; 1 hotel and 1
flat in the 12th precinct; 1 hotel and 1 house and 2 flats in the 39th
precinct. 1
The above facts show beyond question, one of two things, first,
that the inspectors of police divisions or captains of police precincts
in these divisions are ignorant of conditions as they actually exist
in their districts, or second, that they have withheld the exact in-
formation asked for by the General Superintendent of Police. From
these facts the reader can draw his own conclusions as to the knowl-
edge of the police of these conditions.
At this point, we discover a weak spot in the administration of law
and regulations by the Police Department, as they apply to the Social
Evil in Chicago. The remedy is so obvious it need not be stated.
IV. The Police Officer on the Beat. The police officer on the beat
is nearer the Social Evil conditions than any other official in the City of
Chicago. He is, therefore, subject in a peculiar way to the tempta-
tions of the system as it exists. Upon him falls the heaviest burden
of criticism. His attitude toward the law and regulations can easily
be ascertained. It is reasonable to suppose that he reflects in some
degree the attitude of his superiors toward the law and regulations.
If this is true, the inspectors and captains do not tell the truth
when they plead ignorance of the actions of their subordinates, and
ne can hardly suppose these men are ignorant of things that any citi-
zen, who takes the trouble, may see.
In order to show as clearly as possible to what extent the "police
'Tables II-IV.
THE SOCIAL EVIL AND THE POLICE 151
officer on the beat" is influenced by custom, or by his superiors, or
whatever prevents law enforcement against certain phases of the
evil, a few of the facts as found are given below under different head-
ings.
In every case mentioned the place and number of the officer is
omitted, and signs such as XI Xll inserted. It should be borne
in mind that these instances do not represent an investigation of all
houses, saloons, hotels, flats or streets frequented by prostitutes, but
only such as the money, time and authority at the command of the
Commission felt would be indicative of the conditions as applying
to the whole. Following these specific instances, general observations
are given.
TYPICAL CASES.
V. Houses, Assignation Hotels and Flats. On August 16th, a look-
out stood in front of (X504), at the corner of West (X504a) street
and (X505) street. Two inmates of the houses next to the saloon
were soliciting from windows of the resort. Officer No. (X505a)
approached from (X505b) street. The lookout stepped to the door of
the saloon, placed his hand behind a brass shield over the post, and
a bell was heard to ring in the building. As soon as he did this, he
hurried to the windows, and motioned to the women who were so-
liciting. A moment later the officer came to the corner and the
lookout greeted him with "Hello (X506)," and (X506) stood chatting
with him for some time.
Officers Nos. (X508) and (X509) were standing on the corner
near a furnished room house in the afternoon, while investigator was
solicited by a woman standing in doorway.
VI. Houses, Assignation Hotels and Flats General. On August
25th a new force of officers in uniform and plain clothes men came
into the 22nd street district. It was interesting to note in a general
way the reception of these men by saloon keepers, cadets and look-
outs connected with the resorts. For some time one of the new men
in uniform stood on the corner of (X510) and (X511) streets, and
held a conversation with four young men, one of whom was the
lookout who tipped off the women soliciting from windows at (X512)
avenue. Another was a cadet who sings in the concert room of a
saloon frequented by prostitutes at the corner of West (X513) and
(X513a),next to (X514) avenue. Other receptions were held in different
parts of the district; on the corner and at the entrance of the (X515),
the (X516), corner of (X517) and (X518) streets, and near the police
signal box, corner of (X519) and (X520) streets. One detective, who
had been in the district, and who was evidently to be transferred,
152 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
walked through the district with a man, who appeared to be his
successor.
One night during October, investigator was in a house of prosti-
tution in the same building with a saloon on the corner of (X521)
and (X522) streets. While in here two officers in plain clothes en-
tered and talked with the girls; two glasses of beer were standing
on a table, at which sat a man and one of the inmates. The officers
paid no attention to the matter.
The (X523), at (X524), (X524a) Dearborn street. This is^ prob-
ably the most famous and luxurious house of prostitution in the
country. The list received from the General Superintendent of Police
on August 16, 1910, did not give the address of this house, nor of eleven
other similar places on the street. The revised list received October
26th, did mention the place, as well as the others.
On January 15th a man stayed all night in a house of prostitution
at (X525) avenue. On January 16th, he returned to this house with
two plain clothes men and told the landlady that he had been robbed
of $50 the night /before by one of the inmates. The landlady was in-
dignant and said to the officers in the hearing of the investigator that
"I am telling you that that man did not have that much money on
him, and I don't see why you are bothering me, for protection was
just paid two days ago."
The man wanted the inmate arrested, but the officers said he
would have to swear out a warrant. No warrant was served.
VII. Street Soliciting. On the evening of August 19th, between
9:30 and 10:15 investigator counted six (6) prostitutes soliciting men
on the north side of (X526), between (X527) and (X528). They
took the men to a hotel over a storeroom marked 47-49 (X529). At
10 o'clock, officer No. (X530) stood alone at the corner, when two of
the prostitutes stopped two men and walked with them to the entrance
of the hotel.
a. Downtown. On September 25th, between 10:10 and 10:50 P.
M. investigator was solicited by Miss (X531), Rosie (X532), and
Josie, on streets in the downtown district. Josie was standing at the
corner of (X533) and (X534), near the (X535) store. This was
11:45 P. M. Officer No. (X536) stood at corner about 10 feet away.
The girl Josie spoke to a cabman, and went into the (X535) store.
Officer spoke to investigator about the- weather, then about girl. Of-
ficer went into (X335) store and spoke to the girl. He came back in
a few moments, and said that she was a nice girl. During this time
women were soliciting across the street, and officer took no notice
of it.
On September 25th, between 10 :10 and 10 :50 P. M. investigator
was solicited on (X537), between (X538) and (X539) streets by six
different women, Rose, Mignon, Bete, Violet, Tantine and Marcella.
Two of them wanted to go to (X540) hotel, (X541) avenue, two to
the (X542) hotel, (X543) street, and to any place investigator de-
THE SOCIAL EVIL AND THE POLICE 153
sired. While talking to these girls a sergeant of police and officer No.
(X544) talked together at corner of (X545) and (546) streets. They
took no notice of solicitation. One of the girls told investigator that
the police do not interfere with them.
IX. Street Soliciting General.
a. North Side. September 11, 10:30 until 11:30 P. M. Saw 4
different girls soliciting on North (X546a), from (X546b) to In-
diana. Two officers passed.
September 10th. 1 :30 to 2 A. M. Nine girls soliciting from
(X546c) to (X546d). Saw one policeman.
September 9th. 10 to 10 :30 P. M. Seven girls soliciting on
(54Ge) from (X546f) to Erie. Saw one officer.
September 8th. 9 to 10:00 P. M. Ten girls on (X546g) from
(X546h) to (X546i) avenue. No officer in sight.
September 9th. 9 to 9 :30 P. M. Fourteen girls soliciting on corner
of (X546J) and North Clark. No officer in sight.
September 9th. 8:15 to 8:40 P. M. Seven women on La Salle.
Nelly solicited investigator to go to (X548) Hotel, (X549) La Salle.
No officer in sight.
b. West Side. September 6th. During period of 15 minutes 3
girls soliciting on (X546k) between (X5461) and Sangamon. No officer
in sight.
September 6th. During period of 15 minutes, 7 girls soliciting on
(X546m) from (X546n) to Peoria. No officer in sight.
September 1st. 10:30 P. M., 3 girls soliciting on Monroe between
(X546o) and Halsted. One girl talked to two officers near rear door
of (X547) saloon. A few minutes later police officer and a sergeant
came east on Monroe street, and all girls disappeared.
September 2nd. 10 :30 to 11 P. M. Nine girls on (X547a) from
(X547b) to Morgan. No officer in sight.
September 23rd. 9 :30 to 11 :30 P. M. Investigator was solicited
by 14 different girls in vicinity of (X549a) avenue, between (X549b)
and (X549c). Eight solicited for Hotel (X550), (X551) avenue, and
6 to Hotel (X552), (X553) street. One officer at (X553a) and
(X553b), but he stayed only a moment, and walked toward (X553c).
c. South Side from East 2$rd to 6$rd streets.
September 26th. (X553d) street and Indiana avenue, Violet (X554).
Lives on Prairie avenue. Fairly well educated. About 19 years,
would go to hotel. Officer stood on northeast corner (X553d) street
at time investigator was approached.
Saloons. August 27th. Officer No. (X555) was drinking at bar
at No. (X556) Wells street (not on police list). Bartender told in-
vestigator the girls were having an off night. He should come around
and get Violet, the best on the street for $1. Room upstairs.
August 31st. Officers (X557), called into (X558) West Randolph
street (not on police list). He drank a pint of beer at the bar. There
are assignation rooms over the saloon.
154 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
September 7th. Officer No. (X559) was seen in saloon at (X560)
West Madison street (not on police list), drinking bottle of beer. Ger-
trude stood at the end of the bar, leading to rear room, and invited
investigator to buy her a drink. She afterwards solicited him to go to
a room.
September 23rd. Officer No. (X561) entered saloon at (X562)
State street (not on police list). The proprietor, (X563), gave the
officer two cigars. He left in a few moments, after warning all the
people in the rear room to keep quiet. Five prostitutes were in the
rear room. One by the name of Kitty solicited investigator to go to
(X564) hotel, (X564a) State street. The rear room of this saloon
was open and drinks served after 1 A. M.
September 14th. Officer No. (X565) was leaning against the bar
in a saloon at (X566) avenue (not on police list).
September 14th. (X567) Lake (X568). Not on police list. A sus-
picious saloon. Officer No. (X569) was leaning against the bar.
(X570) 37th street. Not on police list. Investigator in here with
Mignon (X571), a street walker. Officer came into rear room and
went through to bar. Stayed there all the time investigator was in the
place.
(X572) Strand. Saloon, house of prostitution upstairs. On police
list. Two officers on the beat and both seem to be especially friendly
with people in the house, came in looked around. Two women in
rear room. One escorted. Officers were offered drinks and cigars
but did not accept. Afterwards they were invited to go upstairs
by the proprietors.
(X573) South Halsted street (not on police list). Investigator
matched pennies for drinks with officer No. (X574) in this saloon.
(X575) Halsted street (not on police list). Investigator had drink
with officer No. (X576) in this saloon. The rear room is frequented
by prostitutes. One of these is Gertrude, age 18.
(X577) Root street (not on police list). 'Investigator was solicited
by Minnie to go upstairs. Saw two officers, Nos. (X578) and (X579)
drinking beer in this place.
(X580) South State street. At 1:30 A. M. an officer No. (X581)
walked along 22nd street, and tried the front door of saloons. Finally
he stopped in front of the side entrance of saloon at (X582) South
State steet. This entrance is on 22nd street. While he stood there,
11 men and women went through this side entrance into the saloon.
He paid no attention to the matter.
This same officer walked west on 22nd street, and tried the front
door of the (X583) Cafe, on the corner of West (X584) street and
(X585) street. The side door on (X585) street was open, and music
and singing could be heard. While officer stood on the corner, 2 men
and 1 woman went through the side door.
(X587) avenue. (Not on police list.) Conducted by colored men.
White women soliciting. Investigator here until 4 A. M. Two of-
ficers passed on street twice while investigator was in room upstairs.
Music and dancing.
THE SOCIAL EVIL AND THE POLICE 155
(X588) Wabash avenue (not on police list). October 8th at 2:33
A. M. officer No. (X589) knocked on the side door of this saloon
and was admitted. The officer seemed to be well known to the pro-
prietor. When he came in, he went to the closet. Later the inves-
tigator saw him in the closet sitting on the box drinking a bottle of
beer. At 2 :40 A. M. another officer came in through the side door
and joined the other officer in the closet. The waiter called him
(X590).
Jim (X591), a waiter, in speaking of the two officers, said they
came in every night about that time, 2 :40 A. M.
(X592) saloon, (X593) Dearborn street (not on police list). This
saloon is connected with a house of prostitution. On October 29th,
8 unescorted women were soliciting in the rear room. They opened
the door leading to the bar and asked investigator to come back.
Officer No. (X594) came into the saloon in uniform, but paid no
attention to the women in the rear room. He was given a bottle of
beer, which he drank at the bar. He was there about 30 minutes.
After 1 A. M. the women went to wine room upstairs where drinks
are sold all night.
November 2nd. (X595) saloon, (X596) Dearborn street (not on
police list). Women stood in doorway leading to rear room, and
invited men at bar to enter. Investigator saw a man standing in
front of saloon who pushed an electric button attached to a buzzer
when an officer approached the place.
November 20th. (X597) Buffet, (X598) Wabash avenue. The pro-
prietor offered to secure women for houses of prostitution in China.
Assignation rooms over saloon. Prostitutes solicit in the rear room.
On this date, officer in uniform, No. (X599), came in and asked for
beer and cigars, for which he did not pay.
XL Saloons General. August llth. The police ordered the sa-
loon at (X600) West Lake street closed to women. On the evening
of this day investigator was solicited in this resort. While there he
saw a woman and a man in the toilet room at the same time. (Saloon
not on police list.)
August 23rd. Investigator again visited saloon at (X600) West
Lake street, which had been ordered closed, and in which he had been
solicited on August llth, and saw four prostitutes in the rear room.
He was solicited to go upstairs by a woman who said her name was
Trixy.
On August llth, the police were ordered to close the saloon at
(X602) West Lake street (not on police list) to women. On the
evening of this date, investigator was solicited by Frances to go up-
stairs. Frances said the rest of the women connected with the place
were upstairs.
On August 19th, the saloon at (X602) West Lake street was again
visited. Investigator was solicited to go upstairs, this time by Jennie.
Three other girls were in the concert room at this time.
August 16th. Police officer in uniform was seen by investigator
156 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
to take a drink of whiskey in saloon at (X604) Peoria street (not
on police list). Prostitutes frequent the rear room.
August 23rd. Lillian solicited investigator in saloon at (X607)
North Clark street (not on police list). While talking to her a police
officer came in and talked with the girls at another table. The girls
called him (X608), said he was a good sport and drinks with them.
August 23rd. Bartender in saloon on the northwest corner of
(X609) and (X610) streets spoke of a poker game going on in the
rear room, and stated the police did not bother. While in here investi-
gator saw two prostitutes, and was solicited by Hazel to go to an
assignation house in middle of block.
September 16th. (X611) North Clark street. (On police list.)
Officer entered this saloon at 12:45 A. M. and drank bottle of beer;
talked with bartender about 10 minutes.
September 27th. Vaudeville performance in the rear of (X612)
Halsted street (not on police list). Twenty-three women were in this
place, most of them vulgar and dirty. One woman with her breasts
exposed sat in balcony with a man at a table. Two plain clothes
men on floor below looked up at her, but made no sign.
September 24th. A lieutenant of police, whom men in saloon
called (X613) drank beer in saloon at (X614) avenue (not on police
list). A young man in the place said that he, the lieutenant, was a
good sport, and as long as the saloon keepers used him all right he
was O. K.
(X615) Wabash avenue (not on police list). October 31st at 2:30
A. M. place was crowded at this hour, and several persons were in-
toxicated. Two strangers, who had the appearance of being farmers,
were with two prostitutes. They complained to the waiter that
he had overcharged them, and proceeded to argue with him, about
the right price of the drinks. They were ejected from the saloon.
Later they returned with two officers, who called the waiter and spoke
a few words to him.
The officers then turned to the farmers and told them to "beat
it or they would be arrested." The men appeared surprised, and
finally left as one of the officers was about to hit one of them with his
club. The two officers then entered the cafe, and holding their hands
over their stars, went to the rear closet, took their uniform coats
off, and put on ordinary coats, which were much too small for them.
They then took off their helmets and sat down with the same prosti-
tutes who had been drinking with the two farmers. They did not
pay for their drinks. Investigator recognized them as being two who
were patrolling the district. The following men witnessed the action
of the officers :
(X616) North Shore avenue.
(X617) Ashland boulevard.
November 10. The attitude of police towards the cadets may be
seen from the following incident. A woman by the name of Frances
(X618), who solicits in cafes on South Halsted street, was sick and
THE SOCIAL EVIL AND THE POLICE 157
went to her room about 11:00 P. M. Her cadet a waiter in (X619)
saloon at (X620) South Halsted street, followed and had a fight with
her. When seen by investigator she was bleeding from her mouth, her
hands were lacerated, and her clothes almost torn off.
Two detectives were called. They did not attempt to go into the
room or arrest the "cadet." After the fight was over the girl camr
out, and one of the officers told her that she would have to take her
trunk and leave the next day. One of the other women took her to a
hotel for the rest of the night.
November 26th. While investigator was standing at the bar of
saloon at (X620a) Wells street talking to (X621), the bartender, two
men came in who appeared from their conversation, to be plain clothes
officers. They were telling (X622), the proprietor, about a man named
(X623), whom they had arrested, and asked him if he wanted to get
the fellow out. The proprietor gave cigars to these men.
This is the saloon referred to in Chapter III as being within 35 steps
from a public school.
November 28th. Investigator spoke again to (X621), the bartender,
and asked him if the saloon was ever bothered by the police, and
he said, "Hell, no, they can make all kinds of complaints and the police
officers are our friends, and they are sent to investigate and find
everything O. K. So it does not do anybody any good to make com-
plaints."
While talking to (X621), two men came in and (X621) said they
were detectives. They were given cigars and drinks, for which they
did not pay. Three men were playing cards in the rear room.
(X621) said they were cadets. A fourth man was sitting at the
table watching the game. Investigator entered the read room and
sat down at a table with an unescorted woman named Violet (X628),
who lives at (X629) Wendell street. She solicited him to go upstairs
for immoral purposes. She pointed out the man watching the game,
and said he was a detective.
(X621) introduced investigator to a cadet, named (X631), who
spoke about "getting jobs," and he (X631)), made the following re-
mark: "It is a hell of a note when you got to go to the police offi-
cers to get a job in these joints. (X633) got me a job here with
(X634) once, and at another time (X635). The last job I got was
from a higher source than that. One night (X636) and I were to-
gether and both of us were pretty well stewed. We came in this
place, and without saying anything (X634) called (X638) on the
side and told him to put me to work, (X638) came over to me ana
said, 'I'll put you to work as soon as I possibly can.' "
November 27th. Investigator was in this saloon at 12 P. M. on
this date, two men who appeared to be plain clothes officers were sit-
ting on chairs in the bar room. At 12:15 P. M. an officer in uni-
form No. (X640) entered the saloon and spoke to the two men men-
tioned above about a murder. At 12:28 this officer, No. (X640),
stepped to the bar and ordered a drink of whiskey. He drank it, but
158 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
did not pay for it. In about 10 minutes the three men started to leave
the saloon. The two men stopped at the cigar case and the bar-
tender gave them each two cigars. The three men then left the
place.
While investigator was in the rear room, an unescorted woman
named Anna solicited him to go upstairs for immoral purposes. She
said that they never have any trouble with the police. The girls
come and go as they please.
XI 7. Dance Halls. September 10th. (X642) hall, North Clark
street. Officer in uniform No. (X643) was selling tickets at door.
Many of the girls in this hall were semi-prostitutes. One girl who
offered to go to a hotel with investigator, works in one of the depart-
ment stores. She receives a salary of $6 per week, and "hustles" three
nights each week for extra money. She told investigator that she
could be found in the rear room of (X644) saloon, (X645) North
Clark street. Investigator was solicited in this hall by two other
girls, Gladys and Flora, who said they would go to any of the rooms
in houses nearby or to (X646) North Clark street. One man in the
hall called (X647) said he was living with a big blonde, another
boasted to investigator that he was a "cadet" and never worked.
September 17th. (X648) hall, (X649) avenue. Two officers, Nos.
(X650) and (X651) were on duty in this hall. A young man called
Steve, about 19 years of age, was intoxicated, and was put out of the
hall by the two officers. In about 5 minutes he returned to the
bar room, and bought these officers drinks of whiskey. He stayed
in the hall after this, and became very noisy, but the officers did
not say anything to him. Four other boys drinking beer did not
appear to be older than from 17 to 19. Two professional prostitutes
were seen in this place.
September 24th. (X652) hall, (X653) Milwaukee avenue. In-
vestigator met a number of semi-prostitutes at this dance. For in-
stance, Violet (X654), Rosie (X655), and Tantine. Officers No.
(X656) was on duty at this dance hall. He became friendly with in-
vestigator, and went with him to (X657) saloon, (X658) Division
street, where officer had a drink of whiskey at the bar. He told in-
vestigator that if he "picked up anything" he should take her to
(X659) hotel on corner of (X660) street and (X661) avenue. A
room could be secured there at any time. It was the only place in
that vicinity, except private houses, and one had to get some one who
was acquainted to introduce him in order to get in. Later investi-
gator saw same officer in (X662) saloon, which is under the dance
hall, described above, eating a meal. He heard bartender ask waiter
if this officer was on the free list also, and waiter said "Yes."
(X663) hall, corner of (X664) and (X665) streets. October 15th,
two officers, Nos. (X666) and (X667) were on duty in this hall. In-
vestigator met a girl who said she was not working any more, as
she had a few "good fellows" who gave her money. She goes to
the (X668) hotel on (X669) and (X670). The men she goes with
THE SOCIAL EVIL AND THE POLICE 159
give her as much as they want to. There were about 200 women and
girls. Some of the girls appeared to be about 16 years of age, and
when he left the hall he noticed several were intoxicated. While in
the saloon downstairs, investigator saw a girl not over 16 come in
with a pitcher and buy 5 cents worth of beer at the bar. A man
in the saloon pointed out two plain clothes men who were standing at
the bar when the child bought the beer. A few minutes later an-
other plain clothes man came in and joined the others. They were
served with bottled beer while the third took a cigar.
(X671) hall, (X672) South State street. October 1, a dance
was given in this hall. The bar was in a room adjoining the dance
hall, and drinks were served in the hall. Investigator counted 17
waiters, 3 bartenders and estimated that there were 250 or 300 women
and girls present. The youngest girls appeared to be about 17 years
of age. He met officers Nos. (X673) and (X673a) and had drinks
with them. They both drank whiskey at the bar.
(X674) hall. Corner of (X675) avenue and (X676) street. Entire
building is owned by (X677) Brewing Company. (X678) is the
representative of this company, and manages the saloon and dance
hall. The latter is rented out at different times to organizations and
pleasure clubs. The charge for the ball is $25.00 per night.
The dance on October 15 was conducted by the (X679). The bar
is a room at the end of the hall. The conditions in the hall on this
particular night were disgraceful. There were about 115 girls pres-
ent, from 15 to 23 years of age, and many of them seemed to vie
with each other in being "tough." Investigator saw nine professional
prostitutes whom he had previously seen while investigating conditions
in the West Madison street district.
The dance was a masquerade. Most of the girls had on short
skirts. A description of the actions of many of the dancers cannot
be printed.
By 1 o'clock many of the girls were intoxicated, or partially so,
and the dancing became more and more suggestive. Two young girls
about 16 years of age were dancing together and went through vulgar
and suggestive motions. Investigator danced with one of these girls
afterward and she offered to go to a room at the (X680) hotel,
(X681) Milwaukee avenue. The room would cost 50 cents. These
girls "hustle" at (X682) and (X683) saloon at (X684) Milwaukee
avenue. Investigator also danced with four other girls who frequent
this saloon, Josie, Bebe and Fifie (X685), and Flora (X686). The
two officers on duty here are Nos. (X687) and (X688).
(X689) Club, (X690) North Clark street. The women who come
to this hall are for the most part professional or semi-professional
prostitutes. Among them are Violet (X691), Be (X692) and Mig-
non.
On Saturday and Sunday nights the attendance is about 300 in this
hall. The girls are from 17 to 25 years of age. Many of these girls
are waitresses, house maids and clerks in department stores. They
are called "charity" as they do not charge for their services. Among
160 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
the cadets seen here was (X693), who at present is living at the
(X634) hotel with a girl called Marcella (X695). This girl is a pros-
titute in a house at (X696) avenue. (X697), the proprietor, seems
to have ample police protection. One of his right hand men is a
mounted policeman by the name of (X698). Two plain clothes men
were seen drinking at the bar of the saloon one night, while a dance
was going on upstairs.
(X699) hall, (X700) 35th street. This dance hall is frequented
by clandestine, semi-professional and professional prostitutes. The
conditions are open and flagrant. On October 23rd, Officer No.
(X701) in uniform was seen sitting at a table drinking beer with
women. Another officer, No. (X702), stood at the entrance of the
hall and later went into the ladies' retiring room where he stayed
about ten minutes
(X703) 22nd street. This notorious dance hall situated in the
restricted district caters to professional prostitutes who take men to
nearby hotels or to assignation rooms or flats. 1
SUMMARY.
First. Custom and precedent has established in Chicago certain re-
structed districts, where the laws and ordinances of the state and city
are practically inoperative in suppressing houses of prostitution.
Second. Because of this condition certain public officials have
given a certain discretion to the Police Department and have allowed
police rules and regulations to take the place of the law and ordinances
in these districts.
Third. As a result of this discretion certain members of the police
force have become- corrupt and not only fail to strictly obey the
rules and regulations in the restricted districts themselves, but have
failed to adequately enforce the law and ordinances, outside the re-
stricted districts.
Fourth. This attitude has not only been assumed toward the law
and the rules and regulations, but has resulted in failure to report
to headquarters places in all section of the city where immoral and
dissolute persons congregate.
Fifth. In addition, officers on the beat are bold and open in their
neglect of duty, drinking in saloons while in uniform, ignoring the
solicitations by prostitutes in rear rooms and on the streets, selling
tickets at dances frequented by professional and semi-professional
prostitutes; protecting "cadets," prostitutes and saloon keepers of dis-
orderly places.
*Sec Chapter IV, "Sources of Supply," page 194
Chapter IV.
Sources of Supply.
CHAPTER IV.
SOURCES OF SUPPLY.
1. Purpose of Report. The purpose of this report is to discover
and report as nearly as possible all the sources which supply the
victims of the social vice; and also to recommend measures to re-
strict and suppress the supply.
2. Sources of Information. As far as possible the Commission
has sought first hand sources of information, from which to discover
the facts which it reports and classifies, and from which its conclu-
sions are drawn.
These sources of information are :
(a) Personal histories secured from 30 women, who are
either now inmates of houses of prostitution, or have been until
very recently. These histories have been secured and carefully
verified through repeated interviews by a woman who is the con-
fidential friend of these women, and who has carefully safe-
guarded their confidence.
(b) Accounts of themselves given by prostitutes to the in-
vestigators on the Commission:
(1) in amusement parks under private man-
agement, 5
(2) in dance halls, 40
, (3) in saloons and on the street, 49
(4) flats and assignation hotels, 15
(5') in houses of prostitution, 19 128
(c) Delinquent girls investigated by the Juvenile
Protective Association, 51
A total of 179 cases whose careers, both before
and after their downfall have been studied
intensively.
(d) Records of young girls in the custody of the
Juvenile Court of Cook County during the
first ten years of its operation 2,241
Total number of cases reviewed, 2,420
While many of these girls were personally interviewed, and their
cases thoroughly investigated by the Department of Social In-
vestigation in the Chicago School of Civics and Philanthropy,
the conclusions regarding the delinquency of the total number are
163
164 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
based upon a careful study of official and other records regarding
them during an investigation continued for more than two years,
and reported to the Russell Sage Foundation, by which the results
of the inquiries are about to be published.
(e) The investigations of the Commission on panders and
cadets, dance halls, employment agencies, department stores,
amusement parks under private management, lake steamers, and
reports of other committees bearing on the sources of supply.
(f) Investigations of the United States Immigration Commis-
sion and the Immigrants' Protective League of Chicago on the
relation of immigrant women and colonies of foreign laboring
men in construction camps, lodging houses in cities, and else-
where.
(g) Alienists' inquiry into the sub-normal physical and mental
condition of boys and young men committed to the State Re-
formatory of Minnesota.
(h) As the basis of estimates of the profits and male patronage
of houses of prostitution : l
(1) Brief and argument of plaintiff in error before the
Supreme Court of Illinois, October Term, 1908, in case of
People v. Bessie Lee and Leona Garrity.
(2) Books and papers of a keeper of a disorderly house
showing daily and monthly receipts, which was seized by the
authorities and form part of the records of the case of the
prosecution.
(3) Verified reports of investigators.
(4) Statements made at conferences with madames and
inmates of disorderly houses.
(i) Conferences with representatives of reform and philan-
thropic agencies and other interested individuals.
3. The tabulation and classification of the data derived from these
sources.
4. Summary of conditions involved in the personal histories and
investigated records of 2,420 women and girls under review which
suggest the recommendations herein submitted.
Ca) Home conditions;
(b) Economic conditions;
(c) Pursuit of pleasure and provision for recreation;
(d) Procuring;
(e) Involuntary entrance upon or continuance in prostitu-
tion under so-called "white slavery";
(f) Sub-normality as a factor in the social evil;
(g) The supply ^of male patrons of prostitution;
(h) Education in sex physiology and hygiene.
'See Chapter I, Existing Conditions, page 95.
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 165
Exhaustive tables have been prepared from the data collected from
108 cases by the Commission in its investigations. For lack of space
these tables are omitted and analyses of them are given instead. To
show how the data were collected, one table is given as an exhibit cover-
ing the cases of thirty girls investigated in a most careful and pains-
taking way by a woman intimately connected with the rescue and
reform work of the city. Similar tables are in possession of the Com-
mission which have been furnished by the organizations mentioned.
166
THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
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168
THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
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SOURCES OF SUPPLY 169
ANALYSIS OF "TABLE GIVING DATA REGARDING THIRTY INMATES OF
HOUSES OF PROSTITUTION IN CHICAGO."
Age.
Average age of entrance to life 18 years
Average present age 23^ years
Average years in business to date, over 5 years
These women are the heavy money earners of some of the "best"
houses in Chicago. The majority of them are apparently in robust
health. At any rate they are in physical condition good enough and
attractive enough to patrons to hold the lead in professional prostitu-
tion and to earn weekly from $50 to $400.
This would seem to largely disprove the statement so frequently
made "that the average life of the prostitute is five years" and also
the solemn statement of one Municipal Court Judge that "in five
years these girls will all be dead."
It is undoubtedly true that the women in houses are longer lived
and better off than the street walker or possibly than the clandestine
prostitute with her, service is largely mechanical not an act appeal-
ing to sentiment of affection while with the latter type especially,
the physical stress upon the body and nerves and strength caused by
expression of "love" as they understand it, makes demands upon en-
durance that are unknown to the professional prostitute.
Occupation.
Studying the occupations, it is found that of the thirty only three
never worked; one of these was educated in a convent; of the other
two, no data is given. The rest tried to earn their living as follows :
Domestics 6
Waitresses 5
Clerks 3
Saleswomen dept. store 3
Dressmakers 2
Milliner 1
Stenography 1
Governess 1
Telephone girl 1
Vaudeville 1
Factory 1
25
170 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
Wages.
The average wages of the twenty-five given is $5.00 per week.
Family.
One was an orphan, two boarded, one lived with an aunt, the
rest had apparently drifted away from their homes. Twenty-three
of the inmates enumerated thirty-eight brothers and forty- four sisters,
so it would seem that most of them come from good sized families.
Price of House.
The price for "service" of the houses in which these inmates
"worked" are $1.00, $1.50 and $5.00. Of these prices the madame
received one-half except in the $1.50 house. This particular house
has white girls who receive Chinamen only no man of any other
nationality is permitted to enter; the madame receives one-third the
girl getting one dollar and the madame fifty cents for each "service."
Monev How Spent.
As to the disposition of the money made by these prostitutes the
table shows that three allege they are supporting or helping their
family or mother; one, a mother and her own seven-year-old child;
one is saving money so she can give up the life. The other twenty-five
apparently spend the money on themselves. It is rather remarkable
that no one speaks of supporting a lover or "cadet."
Causes for Entering Life.
Nine were seduced; three could not earn enough to live on in any
other way; two were enticed by other women into the life; two
were too ignorant to do any ordinary work; two lost their husbands
by death and two by desertion; two said they were naturally bad, one
said she wanted to, was "born with the devil in her," the other that
she "was bad with boys before she was 15"; two for dress; two ruined
by drink and one each on account of trouble with family, poverty,
money and because she was tired of drudgery (this girl said dance
halls ruined her).
Twelve, therefore, out of the thirty may be sard to have gone
wrong because of economic conditions and most of those seduced
found prostitution the only or at least the "easiest" way.
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 171
B ANALYSIS OF "DATA REGARDING PROSTITUTES IN DANCE HALLS.
Total number of cases, 40.
Age.
Of the 25 whose ages are given the average is 20.4 years.
Occupation.
The occupations of the 18 whose employment is given are as
follows :
Department stores, 9 ; nurse, 3 ; trained nurse, 1 ; lunch room, 1 :
waitress, 1 ; cashier restaurant, 1.
Wages.
Eight give wages earned ; the average is $6.00.
Family.
Fourteen give meagre data. Of these 6 are married, 2 board, 3 live
at home (one of these has a "good home"), 1 father a drunkard, 1 no
home, 1 home in New York, married twice.
Money How Spent.
Two say they support parents ; no other data.
Price.
One for price of a silk waist. The prices of those given as $5.00 and
up are for inmates of (X706a) dance hall.
Causes for Entering Life.
For money, 13 (one of these says for "spending money," she gets
$5.00 per week in a department store and supports parents) ; seduced,
3; violated, 2; 2 to support others (la husband and 1 a lover); 1
for finery; 1 for clothes ; 1 for a good time (won't take money) ; 1 for
love of her fellow; 2 bad home conditions; 1 husband a pervert, di-
vorced ; 1 induced by bad girl friends ; 1 "brother put me on the bum" ;
1 employer (a doctor) gives her money; 1 had operation and can't
work ; 1 fellow turned her down ; 1 better than ruining her eyes sew-
ing ; 1 "always was immoral."
172 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
ANALYSIS OF DATA REGARDING PROSTITUTES ON STREET OR IN SALOONS.
Total number of cases, 49.
Age,
Thirty-one give ages. The average is 20.4 years. (Two are 35
years old.)
Occupation.
Twenty give data as follows: Department store, 6; waitresses, 4;
domestics, 1 ; stenographer, 1 ; store, 1 ; mail order house, 1 ; factory, 1 ;
dressmaker, 2 ; clerk, 1 ; "works," 1 ; ticket seller, 1.
Wages.
Only four state amount of wages received; the average is $4.87
per week.
Family.
Seven are married, 8 live at home, 1 with private family, 2 stated
they had good homes, 1 is an orphan and 1 a widow.
How Money is Spent.
Only one made any statement except regarding her own needs; this
one used her money to support her mother.
Causes for Entering Life.
Thirteen for money ; 4 because they liked it ; 2 ruined and deserted ;
2 deserted by husband ; 2 "easier than working" ; 2 seduced ; 1 to sup-
port baby; 1 parents turned her out; I persuaded by aunt; 1 put in
business by a cousin ; 1 husband wouldn't support her ; 1 ran away to go
on stage ; 1 "didn't want to be kicked around as a servant.
ANALYSIS OF DATA REGARDING INMATES OF HOUSES OF PROSTITUTION
IN CHICAGO.
Total number of cases 19
Total number giving ages 13
Average age of these 13 23.4 years
Occupation.
Former occupation is given by only 6: Department store, 2; fac-
tory, 1 ; waitress, 1 ; domestic, 1, and chorus girl, 1.
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 173
Wages.
Data given by only 2. Chorus girl, $18.00 per week; 1 department
store girl, $6.00.
Family.
Data given by 6; 3 stated they were married; 2 came from "fine
families" and 1 said her parents were "farmers."
How Money is Spent.
One sends $10.00 per week to parents, the "farmers" referred to
above; 1 supports a child. No data regarding the others.
Causes for Entering Life.
Twelve give causes as follows: 2 of the workers "salary too small
to live on"; :horus girl, "bad life of the stage"; 1 went wrong in
high school ; 1 influenced by bad girl friends and by house of prostitu-
tion opposite her home; 2 enticed into life by bad men; 1 put in house
by her husband at age of 15; 1 "left home"; 1 couldn't get along at
home; 1 drank and parents cast her off; 1 "sported before she mar-
ried."
C ANALYSIS OF "DATA REGARDING DELINQUENT GIRLS."
Total number of cases, 51.
Age.
The average of the 47 whose ages are given is 15.7 years.
Occupation.
Only 30 stated to have been workers. Of these 8 were domestics;
7 worked in factories; 5 in department stores; 2 in laundries; 2 were
waitresses in saloons, and the following 1 each: Piano player in
nickel theater, telephone company, sweat shop, bakery, news stand,
scaled fish.
Wages.
Only six give data as to wages. The amounts ran from $2.50 to
$8.00 per week. The average was $4.90 per week.
174 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
Causes.
To the total number given (49), 23 are directly due to bad home
conditions, of these 2 were actually sold by the mothers (la girl of 12
to a man 75 years old), 1 driven out by stepfather; 5 were violated;
4 seduced; 4 by nickel theaters; 2 ruined by Greeks in fruit stores;
1 ice cream parlor ; 1 at home by Greek peddler ; 2 by "immoral house
parties"; 1 in a saloon; 1 at the soldiers' encampment; 1 in a dance
hall; 1 was deserted by her husband after an early marriage; 1 was
drugged ; 1 says that drink was the cause ; 1 poverty, and 1 ignorance.
ANALYSIS OF DATA FROM JUVENILE COURT RECORDS.
The records of 2,241 young girls brought before the Juvenile Court
of Chicago during the first ten years of its operation, charged with
immorality, or other offenses involving sexual irregularity. The cases
of all these girls were carefully investigated by the Department of
Social Investigation of the Chicago School of Civics and Philanthropy,
in preparing a report on the Juvenile Court of Cook County for the
Russell Sage Foundation, soon to be published in two volumes. The
cases of these girls were patiently and carefully examined, not only as
they appear upon the records of the court, but by personal inquiry
of several hundreds of these girls themselves, their parents, and others
acquainted with their history.
The offenses for which they were brought into court were as fol-
lows: On the charge of being disorderly or incorrigible, 1.370; and
on the direct charge of immorality, 871. It should be understood
that the word "immoral" is never used in the petition or statement
of the case, if it can be avoided. The offenses disguised in the court
records under the terms "incorrigibility" or "disorderly conduct" in-
volve in a large percentage of cases of sexual irregularity. This percent-
age is estimated from 65 to 80 per cent, of all these 2,241 young girls,
arraigned before the Juvenile Court as delinquents. This fact is more
significant in view of their youth, since only 15 per cent, of them
are over sixteen years of age, and nearly half of them are fourteen
years, or younger.
The degraded condition in the homes from which many of these
girls came is pitifully apparent. Among 168 girls committed to the
State Training School from Chicago, 30 had intemperate fathers, 8
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 175
intemperate monthers, 20 had fathers who were of vicious habits, 16
were children of immoral, vicious or criminal mothers, while in the
families of 12 there were others than the parents who had vicious
or criminal records. In 24 cases the father had shirked all responsi-
bility and deserted the family. Eleven of these girls were illegitimate
children, or had been abandoned, and 10 had been victims of gross
cruelty, 29 had been in houses of prostitution, or had been promiscu-
ously immoral, one having been a "common street walker" at eleven
years of age. Thirteen had sisters who had become immoral, and had
been committed to public institutions on that account. Fourteen had
brothers who had been in such institutions for the care of delinquent
boys and men.
Among the girls committed from other sections of the State, 31
allege that the companion of their first experience in sexual irregu-
larity was a member of their own family, and 16 Chicago girls had
the same experience. In 19 cases it was the father, in 5 the uncle, in
8 the brother or older cousin who had wronged the child; in 72 other
cases, girls brought in as delinquents before the Juvenile Court had
been wronged in this way, 32 by their own fathers. In 189 other
cases in which the girls were charged with immorality, the mother or
the legal guardian was implicated in the offense, if not responsible for
it. In 18 cases, the delinquent girls were children of common prosti-
tutes, in 23 cases their mothers were known to be immoral, though not
"professionally." In 74 other cases, the mother was described as "of
questionable morals" or "of doubtful character," and in 51 cases the
mother was intemperate. We are thus confronted by a total of 348
cases, in whjch the court records show that the guardian under whose
care the girl was growing up was obviously unfit to be trusted with
the care of a young girl.
From the records of 156 girls committed to legal custody from
other portions of the State than Chicago, 86 were the children of
intemperate fathers and 13 of intemperate mothers. These cases of
degradation in country families parallel the conditions found in many
homes from which the Chicago children came before the court. Un-
regulated play in early childhood and prurient pleasures in youth were
the occasion of the perversion of many of these children, both in the
city and the small town as well as in the country. The first experi-
176 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
ence in sexual irregularity came to 14 Chicago girls and 22 country
girls while at play when very young ; to 45 Chicago girls and 65 country
girls it came as an incident to such forms of recreation as the theater,
walking in the parks, picnics, skating rink, and buggy riding. In
3 cases the girls were going to or from church. To 35 Chicago girls
and 39 country girls their first experience of wrongdoing came in the
gratification of a certain curiosity; to 14 from Chicago and 24 from
the country there was an attraction of something like affection; to
23 from Chicago and 34 from the country it meant obtaining small
sums of money, from $1.00 to $3.00, and in some instances only some
candy. The victims of force and fraud numbered 25 from Chicago,
62 from the country. Those who were only ten years old or younger
numbered 18 from Chicago, 24 from the country.
The careful study of the experience of these 2,241 delinquent girls
impressed the experienced investigators with the need of developing
the most skillful agencies for dealing with such families as many of
these girls came from; the need to provide and regulate recreation;
and with the necessity to include instruction in personal and social
hygiene in the curricula of schools, both public and private, at the age
of puberty.
THE SITUATION IN CHICAGO BASED ON INVESTIGATION OF THE COM-
MISSION.
Panders and Cadets.
1. Panders. 1 This investigation has shown that panders often work
in groups and are in communication with gangs in other cities. In-
dividuals, working independently are also willing and eager to procure
prostitutes for houses not only in this city, but for houses in other
cities and countries.
These individuals and members of these gangs are very often waiters
in saloons, bartenders and proprietors of saloons and houses of prosti-
tution. They are scattered all over the city, and the individuals are
known to each other, and confer together when their services are
demanded.
The subject of the so-called white slave traffic has attracted much
*For text of laws, see Appendix VI.
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 177
attention all over the country. The term "white slave," however, is
a misnomer. As a matter of fact the traffic in girls includes negroes,
Chinese and all sorts of girls. A "white slaver" in reality is a man
who employs men and women, or goes out himself to secure girls upon
some false pretense or misrepresentation, or when the girl is intoxi-
cated, or drugged, and not in possession of her senses, is conveyed to
any place for immoral purposes.
If the girl is wayward and goes of her own free will, she would not
be a white slave, but the man or woman who induced or accompanied
her to an immoral place would be guilty under the Illinois pandering
act just as much as if he or she had enticed or used force in placing
her in a house of prostitution.
It has been demonstrated that men and women engaged in the so-
called "white slave" traffic are not organized. Their operations,
however, are so similar and they use the same methods to such an
extent that it is safe to infer that they are in some way working
together.
This fact is illustrated by the following incidents brought to light
through the court records as cited in conference with the Commission
by the prosecuting attorney of the offenders.
The first is the case of Mollie Hart. In the trial of this case, it was
shown that Albert Hoffer, Michael Hart, David Garfinkle, Maurice
Van Bever, Julia Van Bever, Dick Tyler and Frenchy Tolman all
belonged to the same crowd, and operated together. The headquarters
of this gang in Chicago was operated by Maurice Van Bever. This
man was found guilty of pandering and sentenced for one year and
to pay a fine of $1,000. His wife, Julia, was also found guilty.
The Van Bevers had two houses of prostitution in Chicago, one
called the Paris, located at the southeast corner of Armour avenue
and 21st street, the other the San Souci located at the southwest corner
of Dearborn and 21st streets. These two houses back up against each
other. This gang operated in a clever manner, which still further
proved that the combination existed. This gang had a combination
with other gangs in other cities. The following is an illustration :
At the time the above arrests were made, an investigation was car-
ried on in the South Side restricted district. With few exceptions, St.
Louis girls were found in houses, and the presence of these girls was
178 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
traced to this crowd, who brought them to Chicago. Some of the St.
Louis girls were found in the two houses operated by a man named
Colisimo. He could not be reached. His two managers were arrested,
however, but they could not be convicted, because the man who brought
them from St. Louis would not turn State's evidence. This man, named
Joe Bovo was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for six months,
and to pay a fine of $300. His home was in St. Louis. While the
girls could not testify that Hart and Tolman had hired him (Bovo)
to bring them to these houses, and although it was not proved in
court, the prosecutor could see very clearly how it worked out. When
Van Bever was arrested and released on bonds, it was understood that
conferences were held with owners of resorts in the basement of
Colisimo's saloon. All of the above defendants employed the same
lawyer, who has fought a great many of these cases. This is addi-
tional proof that it was one crowd operating together.
There can be no doubt, then, that these men work in gangs and
that in addition there are individuals known to each other in different
parts of the city who work along this line. The fact is further illus-
trated and proved beyond question by the following typical investiga-
tion conducted by the Commission :
The account of the investigation is made clear by the diary method,
giving under date of each day new developments in the work. At the
end one can see the devious ways these men work, the processes under
which thy communicate with each other, and the steps taken in the
deal by which the woman who has been actually purchased is trans-
ferred from one house to another or from one city to another, located
in this country or abroad.
This investigation deals, as will be seen, in transactions by which
prostitutes form the basis of trade.
There were a number of individuals involved in this investigation
who are referred to as "A," the Agent for the man in China ; "B," the
Keeper of a house who wanted to purchase the women; "C," the
"Cadet" from whom the women were to be purchased ; "D," the other
"Cadets" who also agreed to furnish women, and "E," the women
who were to go to the house.
Sept. 28, jpio. A met C in a saloon at (X707a) street. C is
a waiter in this saloon. During the conversation, A said that he
was a successful sporting man from Macao, China. That he was
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 179
here on business, and expected to take five or six women back
to China.
C at once offered to get one woman, who, he said, was very
wise, good looking and a money getter. He promised to see the
woman the next day.
Sept. 29. Saw C as agreed. He had seen the woman and said
she wanted to know more particulars. He promised to see her
again. During the conversation C said, "Hell, I can get you as
many women as you want."
A then said that he had a friend from China who was running
a sporting house in Shanghai. This friend was in this country
to get some women for his place. "If you know so many women,"
he said to C, "and are on to the ropes you can probably help him
get them."
C then said, "I'll get him as many women as he wants, when you
introduce me, and we will agree on the price, etc."
Oct. 3. A talked with D, a saloon keeper at (X708) Strand,
over which there is a house of prostitution conducted by his wife.
A intimated to D that he expected to stay in Chicago, and
go into business. D took it for granted that he meant the same
business he was in. D then said, there were well known agents
on the West Side who supply women for houses.
Oct. 4. Saw C. He was in the same frame of mind as at the
last meeting. Wednesday is his day off, and he will try to see
the woman whom he had spoken of. He further stated that if he
"did business" with the other man from China he would get
A what he wanted for nothing, but a few dollars, etc.
Oct. 6. C is getting anxious to earn some money in the man-
ner suggested.
A had said his friend had gone to New York on business. C
wanted to know if the friend had returned, and was told that he
had not.
"When he does come," said C, "bring him around, I can do
business with him."
Before the next visit to C a telegram was written purporting to
come from B (A's friend from China). 1
Oct. 8. A saw C and showed him the telegram from his sup-
posed friend in New York, instructing him to get prices, etc., for
women to go to China.
C said he did not know just how much he should ask for his
services. He finally agreed to $50.00 for each woman. A then
wrote out a letter in the presence of C to be sent to B in New
York. This letter stated the price asked by C per woman and
asked him to send money. 2
While waiting for a reply to this letter, the plan was to keep C
interested. Before A left him on the evening of Oct. 8, C said
Exhibit K.
Exhibit L.
J80 THE bOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
he was sure of getting two women, and was going to work to
get them at once.
In the meantime, a letter which had been sent to New York
to be written there, and sent back to Chicago by a friend was re-
ceived. This letter had been delayed one week, and the telegram
used the day before was supposed to take its place.
Oct. 10. A saw C and showed him a letter which verified the
telegram and did much to throw off any suspicion. This letter
was written on paper from a New York hotel, and gave instruc-
tions to go ahead. 1
When C saw the letter he said he would make it his business
to get the women. He then telephoned to three places to make
appointments for himself and A.
Oct. ii. C said that he had told a woman on the West Side
with whom he had lived two years to look out for women in the
neighborhood who wanted to go to China. He promised her a
good present if she helped him.
He also 'phoned to a friend on the South Side and gave him
the same instructions.
In the meantime, another letter had been sent from New York,
saying that $150 had been sent to pay for three women. 2
Oct. 12. C was shown this letter, and said that he was on the
job, and would keep on it until he got the women. Said he had
to be very careful as the "fly mugs are looking out so d
sharp for those things." He declared that he would go around
that night.
Oct. 13. C said he had been around to a number of places
the night before, and had talked to several women. He had made
arrangements with two to call him up and make appointment to
see A.
One of the women was named Tantine. Both lived on the South
Side. One weighs 135 Ibs., the other 169 Ibs. They are American
girls, and good looking. They have signified their willingness to
to go China.
C also left word with seven men whom he knew on the South
Side who have been in the business for years. One in particular
has been living off of prostitution and pandering for 25 years.
He is a great friend of C. This man said he would be able to
get the women within a few days.
All of the men were given to understand there was money in
it, and they are all anxious to make it.
Oct. 14. Afternoon. C received two messages, one from a
man on the South Side, who said he had two women, and would
. . bring them to the saloon that night, if possible. The other message
was from a man who asked if a French woman would do to go to
Exhibit J.
'Exhibit ML
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 181
China. The man would call up during the evening. Both men
are working to get the money.
Oct. 14. Evening. About 11:20 P. M. D, about 35 years of
age, 5 ft. 7 inches, weighing about 150 Ibs., came in saloon. He
was one of the men who had called up during the afternoon. He
said that if the women were wanted for any place in the United
States he would send two of his own, as they were not making
very much at present.
The two women who were expected did not come to the saloon.
C telephoned to make another appointment.
D, the man mentioned above, verified C's claim that it was
slow work getting women to go out of town, as they were watched
closely by the keepers of resorts. "They are all in debt and are
not allowed to get out of it; the keepers do not want to lose
the women, if they are good money getters."
In some instances, the keepers have girls arrested on a trumped
up charge, if they want to leave. If they promise to stay the
charge is dismissed.
D would not talk to A in the cafe, but followed him outdoors.
Said he did not want any of the others to see that he had any
business transactions with him. He seemed to be afraid, but
anxious to make the money.
Oct. 15. C said he had again spoken to his friends on the
South Side. They all told him they were on the job. The woman
he had spoken to, and who had signified her willingness to go to
China, had been drunk for three days. He will see her again
when she sobers up.
Oct. 16. C said that on account of the cadets and other men
as well as women who are watching the women it was going
to take some time to get them. He thought it would be better
to make them believe they were going to Seattle, Washington, or
California, and when they were out there, it would be easy to get
them drunk and take them aboard the steamer,
Oct. 17. C is growing impatient because his friends do not
act quicker.
He went over to the South Side, to see one of his friends.
A said he thought the plan to take the women to Seattle,
and then ship them to China, would be a good one. C said if
that could be done it would be easier.
A met a "cadet" from the South Side, who said that he had a
woman "hustling" for him and makes plenty of money. This
"cadet" did not say so in as many words, but gave A the
impression that he would be willing to look for women to go out
of town.
Oct. 21. A went to the (X712) saloon at (X713) Dearborn
street. Met D, an entertainer, who said he had spoken to a girl
named Rose, about going into a house in China. She said she
was willing to go.
A then went to the (X714) cafe on (X715) avenue, between
182 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
(X716) and (X717) streets, to see D, the proprietor. He was
out. The following men, all "cadets," and several others whose
names could not be learned, agreed to get women to go to China:
D, D and D.
D has one woman on the South and one on the West Side. D
and the other men know C.
Oct. 24. After telling C that he would not lose anything, he
gave A the following names of two friends on the South Side
who would help him get women: D, proprietor of (X718), and
D. D has several sporting houses. (X719) could be found in
(X720) saloon at (X721) avenue at 11 P. M.
Oct. 2p. A spoke to D, an entertainer in (X722) saloon, at
(X723) Dearborn street. This waiter said he would help A get
women to go to China, if he would agree to take him and his
woman.
Later in the evening, D introduced A to a prostitute named
Agnes (X724), alias Agnes (X725), had told her about the
man who was looking for women to go to China. Agnes is getting
a divorce from her husband. She had no "cadet" at present, but
will have to get one soon "so as to have police protection," as
she said.
While A was sitting at the table with this woman, D, the enter-
tainer, told her an imaginary story of the free way in which A
spent money. He said that one evening in San Francisco,
when this "generous man" was sitting in a cafe with the police
commissioner, the proprietor and one of the supervisors, he ha^d
purchased about $1,000 worth of wine, and had "thrown $50 in
gold to the entertainers. He further stated that he had known his
friend for several years, and also knew about his sporting house
in China.
This story so impressed the woman that she was more eager
than ever to go.
During the evening of the 29th, A went to the (X726) cafe,
at (X727) avenue, of which D is the proprietor, to see D, whose
name had been given him by C.
A asked D if D was in his place, saying he had been sent by
C, D replied that he thought D was out of town. He then asked
if he wanted to see D on any particular business. A then told D
that he was looking for women to go into a sporting house in
China. At this D became very confidential, and said that he
could get two women for this purpose, the price to be fixed later.
He then introduced A to several men about the saloon. One of
these was D, a "cadet" who had his woman "hustling" on 22nd
street. D said he would be on the lookout for women. A also
spoke to a boy about 18, who is an entertainer and "cadet." He
knows C and the proprietor of the saloon where C works. He
was also willing to get women.
When A was leaving, D invited him to come again and repeated
that he could get two women by the end of November.
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 183
Nov. 17. D asked A when he expected to go to China. A
replied in a couple of weeks. D then said he would try to get
the women by that time.
Nov. 20. D introduced A to a man named "D," a former
saloon keeper. D said this man would get some women to go to
China.
D also said that the man who was indicted by the Federal
Grand Jury for importing women, and who jumped a $24,000
bond, would never have gotten into trouble, if he had listened to
him. He (D) had offered to get him all the women he wanted for
$100 each, but the man thought he would be wise, and so he sent
some French "cadets" to France and imported the women.
D went on to tell of his long experience in the business, extend-
ing over about 20 years. "I am not a cadet myself," he said,
"but I have gotten women for others a good many times, and
I can get you as many as you want, if you want to pay for it."
He warned A not to talk as there were a lot of "stool pigeons"
around.
Nov. 26. A went to the (X727a) cafe, (X727b) street, corner
of (X727c) and (X727d) streets, and A introduced himself to
the bartender, named D, as the proprietor of a sporting and gam-
bling house in Macao, China. The bartender said he had two
women "hustling," one in the rear room of this saloon, and one
in a house. He said he might take a notion to go to China,
and take his two women with him. He also stated that he could
get other women to go. He declared that he was tired of this
town, that here was not much money here any more, and he
would like to go where a lot could be made. About 12 :00 P. M.
on Nov. 27, 1910, D introduced A to a "cadet" named D, who
was in the saloon, and told him of the China proposition.
D also has one woman "hustling" in the rear room of this sa-
loon, and another in a house on (X727e) street. He declared that
he was willing to take a woman to China. He pointed out this
woman to A. He further stated that he had had a few hundrei
dollars, but lost it gambling a few days ago.
The record of above events, under the dates given, show beyond a
doubt the connection of these men with each other, and how easy it
is to enter into negotiations for women to go to other states or for-
eign countries for purposes of prostitution.
If the Commission had desired to carry these transactions to a final
conclusion by the payment of the sums demanded there is no ques-
tion but that all of the men above mentioned could and would have
produced the "white slaves" for exportation. After consideration of
the matter the Commission decided that inasmuch as it was not a
prosecuting body sufficient evidence had been secured and the inves-
tigation was closed.
184 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
II. The Cadet." 1 The word "cadet" is generally used in place of
the uglier title "pimp." He, with the pander or procurer, is the lowest
specimen of humanity, and whenever apprehended should be dealt with
to the fullest extent of the law. The report of The Committee of Fif-
teen (New York City) issued in 1902, thus describes this type: "The
'cadet' is a young man, averaging from eighteen to twenty-five years
of age, who, after having served a short apprenticeship as a 'light-
house' secures a staff of girls and lives upon their earnings. He
dresses better than the ordinary neighborhood boy, wears an abundance
of cheap jewelry, and has usually cultivated a limited amount of gen-
tlemanly demeanor. His occupation is professional seduction."
The cadet is the go-between, he is the agent through whom business
is directed toward his own woman, or the house in which she works.
He looks after her when apprehended by the law, and either uses some
political influence in her behalf, or sees after her fine or bail. In many
cases, he is the lover or "sweetheart," and by some power so attaches
his girl to himself that she will never betray him no matter if he has
beaten and abused her. This strange paradox often prevents justice
being meted out to this outcast of society, for in many cases he can be
convicted only on her testimony. Often the "cadet" belongs to political
organizations, and exchanges shady work at the polls for protection
from men in power for his "woman." Again, these "cadets" are often
attached to clubs as preliminary boxers and prize fighters.
While negotiating with these panders, the investigator met sev-
eral "cadets," who are also procurers when they have sufficient courage.
Among these "cadets" were the following:
(X728), alias (X729), house at (X730) Madison street, in-
troduced investigator to one of his women who had come from
(X730a), 111. She is about 22 years of age. He has two other
girls, one in South Chicago, and one in Chicago Heights. This
man conducted an employment agency at one time.
(X731) and (X732). These men can be found generally at the
(X733) cafe on (X734) street, or (X735) saloon on the corner
of (X735) and (X736) streets. Both of these men are "cadets"
and procurers.
(X732) sold a girl to a keeper of a house of pros-
titution in Omaha, Nebraska, for $25 a few weeks ago. He
told the girl he was going with her. He went with her and the
keeper of the Omaha house to LaSalle Street Station, put the girl
*For text of laws and ordinances see Appendices V-VI-VIII.
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 185
on the train and left her saying he was going to buy a ticket. He
did not return. Two years ago, this same procurer persuaded
a girl to leave her home. The parents instituted a search and
(X732) grew afraid after he had lived with her for several
months. He left and went south to work on a farm to keep
out of the way.
(X73S). Cadet and procurer. Is legally married to one woman
who is "soliciting" for him. He has another woman in a house
of prostitution in Indiana.
As above stated, many of the bartenders and waiters in saloons are
"cadets." In fact a waiter or bartender is often required to have
women soliciting for drinks, the two positions go hand in hand. 1
DANCE HALLS.
There are approximately 275 public dance halls in Chicago which
are rented periodically to so-called pleasure clubs and societies or are
conducted by individuals.
It has been possible during a brief investigation to observe condi-
tions in only nineteen of these dance halls. Those investigated, how-
ever, are located in different sections of the city, so that the findings
indicate general conditions in places of this type.
Many of these halls are frequented by minors, both girls and boys,
and in some instances they are surounded by great temptations and
dangers. Practically no effort is made by the managers to observe
the laws regarding the sale of liquor to these minors. Nor is the
provision of the ordinance relating to the presence of disreputable per-
sons observed. 2
In nearly every hall visited, investigators have seen professional
and semi-professional prostitutes. These girls and women openly made
dates to go to nearby hotels or assignation rooms after the dance. In
some instances they were accompanied by their cadets who were con-
tinually on the lookout for new victims. Young boys come to these-
dances for the express purpose of "picking up" young girls with whom
they can take liberties in hotels, rooms or hallways of their homes.
The following are typical instances illustrative of these conditions :
Sept. 5. (X744a) hall, corner (X745) and (X746) streets. Con-
'See Chapter II, The Social Evil and The Saloon. Also Chapter I, Existing
Conditions in Chicago.
*For text of ordinances regulating Dance Halls, see Appendices XVI-XVTI-
XVIII-XIX.
186 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
ditions here were bad. A number of young girls were in the
balcony drinking with fellows between dances. Investigator met
girl who said she was 17 years of age this month. He danced
with three different girls, two of whom proposed going to a
hotel if he had the money, the third girl said they could get
a room on West Madison street. Beer is sold in the dance hall
for 15 cents per bottle.
Sept. 4. (X746a) hall, West Madison street. Saloon under
dance hall. Conditions bad. One girl was quite drunk. She
afterwards came down from the dance hall and entered the rear
room of the saloon. Investigator saw girl named Violet drinking
beer in dance hall, drinks were sent up to the hall from the saloon
below by dumb waiter. Another girl by name of Rosie also left the
dance hall and came to the rear room of saloon. Rosie said she
was 18 years old, Violet said she was 19.
Sept. 10. (X746b) hall, North Clark street. Investigator
counted 51 girls. Some appeared to be 18 or 19 years of age.
Investigator met one girl who gave the name of Marcella (X746c)
and said that she worked in the basement of department store.
Marcella said her salary was $6 per week, out of this she pays
$3 for meals and $2 room rent, besides 60 cents carfare. She
"hustles" three nights a week for extra money to pay for wash-
ing, clothes and other things. She told investigator that she can
be found in rear room of saloon on North Clark street. She is
about 20 years old.
Another girl who said her name was Fifie claimed to be mar-
ried to a man who was at the dance. The husband knew his
wife solicited other men and was satisfied if she brought home
some money, but if she "went for charity he would beat her up."
When she married this man two years ago she was a street walker,
and he was one of her steady fellows.
Investigator was also solicited by two other girls, Bessie and
Frankie, who said they would go to any of the rooms in houses
nearby or to (X747) North Clark street.
One girl called Violet was partially intoxicated, she would not
dance but sat at one of the tables drinking beer with different
men. She is about 20, and looked like a professional prostitute.
The rest room contains about 20 tables, and three waiters are in
attendance. Beer was 15 cents per bottle, or 5 cents per glass.
There is a regular bar in the front of the hall with two doors
leading to it.
Rough dancing is not allowed, but the language used is coarse
and full of oaths. A fellow called Jack said he was living with a
big blonde, another boasted to investigator that he was a cadet,
and never worked.
Sept. 18. (X746d) hall, Wells street. Conditions good. About
225 girls, some did not appear to be over 16 years of age. No
rowdy actions allowed. No liquor sold in hall. No smoking al-
lowed only in retiring room. The girls do not go out with fellows.
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 187
Several told investigator this was the most decent dance hall in
that section of the city. It had a bad name three years ago. In-
vestigator met one girl whom he knew to be a professional prosti-
tute from saloon on North Clark street. He danced with her,
and she asked him not to let on that he knew what she was as
everybody in the hall thought she was decent. She offered to go
to hotel.
Sept. 17. (746e) hall, West North avenue. Only two women
were seen whom investigator knew to be professional prostitutes.
One, named Bebe, said she was from a house on North Clark
street. She would not give the number, as the house was posi-
tively private, but said if she was given $5 to show that everything
was O. K. she would take him to the house after the dance.
Sept. 21. (X746f) hall on North Clark street. Counted 185
girls and women from 17 to 30 years of age. Dance hall is on
third floor, with two stairways leading down to second floor,
where there is a bar. On this floor are tables which are
crowded with girls drinking with fellows, between the dances.
Dances are conducted here every night and on Sundays. The hall
has a bad reputation and a man can "pick up" a girl any time.
Investigator talked with the following girls who were all drink-
ing:
Violet works in department store, salary $5 per week. Was
seduced and left home. Baby died and she "solicits" on the side
to support herself. Is 19 years of age, born and raised in (X748).
Rooms on North Clark street, but would not give number.
Rosie, 20 years old. Born in Chicago. Lives with fellow at
hotel, and "solicits" for him. Will go any place with fellows.
Bessie, 20 years old, works in department store. Salary $6
per week, and "solicits" on the side. Left home on account of step-
mother. Rooms with chum. Will go any place with fellows.
Mag, 18 years old. Works in department store. Salary $5.50
per week. Tells parents she receives more. Helps support parents
and "solicits" at dances for spending money. Father is sickly.
Investigator met three professional prostitutes from saloon, and
two from another saloon. These women were seeking business.
A woman conducting a furnished room house on North La Salle
street told investigator that most of the girls at this dance worked
downtown and roomed along North Clark street, and "solicited"
at night.
Sept. 24. (X748a) hall, Milwaukee avenue. Condition fair.
Bar in connection on same floor. Tables all around dance hall,
and in balcony. Five waiters. Boys and girls are kept very
orderly. About 200 girls. Investigator talked with following
girls :
Lillie, 19 years old, works in department store, salary $5 per
week. Will go out for a "good time"; but will not take any
money. Her friend gave her a bracelet last week. He is a clerk
in the same store.
188 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
Gerty, 18 years old. Works in department store, salary $6 per
week. Has two steady fellows, who go to see her every week,
and give her $2 each. They take her to a room downtown, but
she did not know the name of the place. She lives at home with
parents, and when she goes out she tells them that she goes to a
show with a girl friend.
Aside from the above, investigator met a number of girls from
(X749) department store, who were with their steady fellows.
One of them named Violet offered to make a "date" with inves-
tigator, if he knew of a place to take her. All she wanted was the
price of a silk waist. Several other girls wanted investigator to
take them to shows or dances.
Sept. 29. (X749a). Dance hall on 31st street. Regular bar.
Ladies drinking parlor next to dance hall. Six colored waiters.
A mixed crowd, but a large proportion are "sporting" women.
About 200 girls, ages from 17 to 35. Investigator talked with fol-
lowing girls:
Miss (X750). Trained nurse, but she cannot stand the work,
because of a recent operation. She has a few friends who help
her out, and as soon as she can earn enough to buy some good
clothes, she expects to go home.
Girl (no name), 18 years old. Rooms on East 31st street.
Said she wanted to get drunk because her fellow, a singer, whom
she had been going with as the "only girl," had turned her down,
"she didn't care what happened to her." If investigator wanted
her she "would go any place, it didn't make any difference."
Later this girl was seen to leave the hall with a young man.
Amy, 20 years old. Lives on East 31st street. She would go
out, but not that night, as her steady fellow was with her. He is
a street car conductor, and keeps her. Had just given her a new
fall hat, which had cost $20, and is going to buy her a new winter
coat after pay day. She called him (X751). Amy was a cashier
in a restaurant downtown until she met him. The only reason
she goes with anyone else is to get a little more spending money.
Rosie is a dressmaker. Said she was the only member of the
family who was "sporty." The reason why she goes out is be-
cause if she stays at home, she would be sewing and when she
worked by gas light her eyes hurt so that she started to going to
this dance hall. She took her first drink in this place, and finally
went out with a fellow who offered her $5. When she saw she
could make money so easily, she made up her mind it was better
than ruining her eyes and health by sewing. She "learned it all
by going to this dance hall," and now she "likes her beer, and drinks
quite a lot."
Tantine. Lives on South Park avenue. Tantine is learning to
dance. She comes to the dance with a man who drives a grocery
wagon. He is good to her, takes her to shows, buys her presents,
and she likes him. He tells her she could make a lot of money,
SOUKCES OF SUPPLY 189
but she "likes him too well to go with anyone else." He encour-
ages her to drink with the other fellows.
Tantine and her friend Bell both were from a hospital. Tan-
tine is a nurse and Bell only works there. They go to this
dance regularly and both will go out with two men anytime. Tan-
tine told investigator that they had two "Interns" on their staff,
and were "bleeding" them for all that was in it. (The hospital
telephone was given and the fact verified. Hospital (X752a).
Rosie. Works in millinery store, learning the trade. Salary
$4 and can't hardly exist. Proposed going out as she was nearly
"broke." Said she had gone out with fellows before she left home,
and her folks were going to send her away. So she ran away
with a fellow. This man wanted her to "get out and hustle
for him," so she thought if she was going to do it for a living
she would keep all she earned herself, so she "quit" this fellow,
whom she called Jim. Rosie said she was 20 years of age. She
is very good looking.
Emma. A professional prostitute, stays at (X752) State
street.
The dance on October 8th on corner of (X753) and (X754) ave-
nue, was given by the (X755) club. Mr. (X756) had the bar privilege.
The bar is located at the back of the hall. There were four bar-
tenders and drinks were sold to "ladies" at the tables around the hall
and in the balcony. There were nine waiters. Beer was sold for
5 cents per glass, 15 cents per pint bottle, whiskey 15 cents a drink.
There were about 400 women and girls in the hall. Some of the
girls were from 7 to 12 years of age, and they remained until 1 A.
M., when investigator left the dance.
During the evening the investigator met 5 professional prostitutes
from the 2nd street district. He also met three cadets, by the
names of Jack (X757) and (X.758) and (X758a) with Gertie, Hattie
and Mag. While dancing with these girls, they told investigator that
these men were their "lovers," and did not work.
Investigator also met the following girls:
Rosie (X759), boards at (X760), (X761) avenue. Said she
had a friend who gave her a pair of gloves, and is going to
give her an old-gold bracelet. He is an insurance agent. She
works at (X762) department store. Receives $11 per week in
the (X762a) department. Her sister Violet works at (X763)
department store as a clerk at $7 per week. Rosie said she
would make a date and go out anytime (was verified).
While he was at the dance, investigator saw 6 women who were
very much intoxicated.
(X766) street and (X767) avenue. The dance described above was
in the (X768). This one was held in the (X769) proper on the
190 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
same evening, October 8th. Investigator entered this hall after 1
A. M. when he left the dance at the (X770). The dance was being
given by the (X771) and (X772) Union.
The bar was at the end of the hall and tables were placed all
around the room. There were 5 bartenders, 4 helpers and investi-
gator counted 23 waiters. He estimated the number of women pres-
ent to be 700 ; and at least one-third were either intoxicated or partly
so. Two women were put out of the hall for using vulgar language
and starting fights.
Investigator counted 20 professional prostitutes from the 22nd
street district, and other districts. One of the prostitutes frequents
(X773) saloon. She told investigator that she was there with a fellow
whom she had "kept up" for a year. She had just bought him a
new suit. This couple had a quarrel during the dance on account of
another girl.
Some of the girls present were as young as 16. A man by the
name of (X774), said that many of the girls were sporting, "and
the dance was as bad as the First Ward Ball in some ways."
Investigator met two girls who work in (X775) department store.
These girls "solicit" every night in one of the saloons in the 22nd
street district. One by the name of (X776), has a man by the name
of (X777) whom she keeps. They have a furnished room at (X778)
street and (X779) avenue.
(X780) hall, corner of (X781) and (X782) streets. Hall rented
by (X783), who is manager for the woman who owns the place.
He also manages the saloon downstairs, (X784) street. On the night
of October 15th there was a (X785) dance in this hall.
Investigator met one girl who said she was not working any more,
as she had a few "good fellows" who gave her money. She goes
to the (X786) hotel on (X787) and (X788) avenue. The men she
goes with give her as much as they want to. The room rent is 50
cents.
Investigator estimated that there were 200 women and girls, most
of whom were (X789), in the hall. Some of the girls appeared to
be about 16 years of age. The girls were drinking freely and when
he left the hall, he noticed several who were intoxicated.
(X790), near (X791) street on (X792) avenue. The dance given
on October 4th in this hall was quite respectable. There were about
35 girls and women from 17 to 35 years old present. Investigator
talked to four girls who work at (X793) department store. A man
in the hall said that the crowd that came in this hall was very select,
and had been for two years. No drinks were sold in the hall, the
nearest saloon is at (X794) street and (X795) avenue.
(X796) hall. Corner (X797) avenue and (X798) street. The
dance hall is over a saloon. The entire building is owned by the
(X799) brewing company. (X800) is the representative of this
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 191
company, and manages the saloon and dance hall, the latter is rented
out at different times to organizations and pleasure clubs. The
charge for the hall is $25 per night.
The dance on October 15th was conducted by the (XS01) club.
The bar was in a room at the end of the hall.
The investigator declares that the conditions on this particular
night were disgraceful. There were about 115 girls present from
15 to 23 years of age, and many of them seemed to vie with each
other in being "tough." Several of the girls said that a decent girl
would not go to this hall. Investigator saw 9 professional prostitutes
whom he had previously seen while investigating conditions in the
West Madison street district. The details connected with this par-
ticular dance are too vile to appear in print.
Investigator danced with one of the girls who was particularly
vulgar, and she said she would go to a room in the (X802) hotel,
(X803) avenue. The room would cost 50 cents. This girl had a
girl friend with her. Both came from St. Louis. Their parents think
they are working in Chicago. They "solicit" at (X804) and (X805)
saloon (X806) avenue.
Investigator also danced with four other girls who frequent this
saloon. In addition he met a number of girls who work as waitresses
in downtown restaurants, the following information was given by the
girls.
Jennie. 19 years old. Said her own brother was the cause of her
donwfall. She got into trouble and left her home in (X807). Came
to Chicago and lived with an old man and his wife on 26th street,
until she had a baby. It died the same day it was born. She left
the old man eight months ago, and now works in one of (X808)
lunch rooms and "solicits at night." She said she would go to the
(X809) hotel for $1.00, room rent 50 cents.
Mag. Said she was 21 years old. Came from (X810), Ken-
tucky, two years ago. Could not make enough money waiting on table
to pay expenses. Finally she met a fellow who took her out, bought
her some clothes, gave her money and not long afterward they took
a room together. He left her and is now tending bar "on the line."
She then, went "on the turf for the money."
Investigator estimated that there were three boys to every girl.
He asked different boys why the fellows didn't dance more. Three
told him that the boys come to the dance to get a girl to go home
with.
There were quite a number of boys under age who were served with
drinks at the bar, 19 of them could not have been over 18 years of
age.
(X811), corner (X812) and (X813) streets. The dance hall is on
the second floor with a balcony surrounding it. The bar is in the
front end and nearby two rooms filled with tables and chairs.
192 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
The owner of the building is (X814). He also owns the saloon
on the ground floor. The rear room of this saloon is filled with setees,
closed in so that no one can see those at the tables. Prostitutes
soliciting on the street frequent this rear room. In addition some of
the girls who attend the dance on the floor above come here, some with
and some without escorts.
(X815) is the manager for the dance hall. He lives with a
girl named (X815a), who acts as his cashier.
Investigator recognized a number of girls from the South Side,
whom he knew to be professional prostitutes.
The large percentage of the girls at the dance October 10th were
immoral, and would go out for money. Others go with boys and
men whom they like.
The investigator declares that a great many of the girls at the dance
were apparently under age. They all were served with drinks. Some
became intoxicated, and had to be carried out of the room.
One girl acknowledged to a doctor, who was with the investigator,
that she had syphilis, but did not have enough money to have it treated.
She pointed out three other girls in the same condition, and said that
there were others who were diseased.
During the evening quite a number of the girls were seen to go to
the (X816) and (X817) cafes. Afterwards, between 12 and 1:30 A.
M. investigator counted 14 couples enter (X818) hotel. He had seen
these couples at the dance earlier in the night. Hotel (X819) and
(X820) hotel, both assignation places, are in this neighborhood.
(X821) hall, (X822) 35th street. On the evening of October 3rd,
according to the investigator's estimate, there were about 125 girls
and women at the dance. The ages were from 16 to 25. Investigator
talked with 5 girls whom he knew to be professional prostitutes; two
from a flat on the corner of (X823) street and (X824) avenue, one
from a flat on (X825) avenue, and two who said they were from Mrs.
(X826) near (X827) avenue on the (X828) side of the street.
Investigator talked with 4 girls from (X829) store and with one
from (X830) department store.
One of the girls showed investigator a comb which (X831) gave
her. She further said that she goes out with (X831) two nights
each week and he takes her to the (X833) hotel, (X834) street and
(X835) avenue. She offered to make a date with investigator.
The other girls also offered to make dates. One said she had 3
steady friends, one of whom has a private room with a friend which
he keeps for the purpose of taking girls. This room she said was
on (X836) street near (X837) avenue, but she would not give the
number.
Investigator talked with another girl whom he had met in the
rear room of (X838) saloon on (X839) avenue, near (X840) street,
and she had solicited him. He asked her if she was still living with
her "cadet." She replied that she was but he had gone to Milwaukee
for a few days and had taken nearly all of her money.
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 193
The majority of the girls at the dance on this particular evening
were from 16 to 20 years of age, and many of them were very good
looking.
The conditions in this hall appeared to be so revolting that it was
determined to send another investigator of entirely different type to
verify the other's report. This was done on October 23rd. The
following is his condensed report, substantiating the former investiga-
tion.
(X841) hall, (X842) 35th street. On second floor. Benches about
the room. Extreme left is a stairway leading to the rear room of the
saloon on the ground floor. Girls from the dance hall mingled with
immoral women who solicit in this rear room.
The charge for admittance to the dance hall is 25 cents, with 10
cents extra for wardrobe check.
A large number of the girls were quite young. Investigators talked
with two who were 15 years of age. Many appeared to be from 16
to 18 years of age.
The language used by the girls and their men acquaintances is un-
printable. Investigator talked with several of the girls. Among them
the following:
Rosie. Sixteen years old. Said she had no home. All she pos-
sessed was the clothes she wore. At one time she was in a house of
prostitution, but was not allowed to stay because she appeared to be
so young.
Girl. Name not secured. Said she had been to a hotel the previ-
ous Saturday night. She was going home on this particular even-
ing, but would go out for all night the following Wednesday, if in-
vestigator would come to the dance hall and get her. She said that
many of the fellows who come to this dance hall go out with her.
"The fellows and girls are always changing off." She does not take
money but the fellows buy her breakfasts. She works in the (X842a).
This dance hall is owned by (X843), and his manager is (X844).
(X845) also owns the (X846) hall, (X847), the manager of the
(X848), lives with a girl called (X849), who solicits in (X850) cafe.
Her parents live at (X851) street, between (X852) and (X853)
streets.
(X854), (X855) North Clark street. In 1900 (X856), a cab-
driver, opened this hall under the name of (X857). In 1906 the name
was changed to the (X858).
One of the worst features of this dance hall is the number of pro-
fessional prostitutes and cadets who come to the dances. It is es-
timated that 75 per cent, of the girls who come here on weekday
nights are prostitutes. An innocent girl is in great danger for the
cadets are constantly on the lookout for them.
On Saturday and Sunday night the attendance is about 300. The
girls are from 17 to 25 years of age. Many of the girls are wait-
resses, house maids, and clerks in department stores. They are called
"charity," as they do not charge for their services.
194 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
The dance hall is on the 3rd floor of the building. The cafe or
bar is on the floor below. There is a private wine room on this
floor, in which (X859) entertains girls whom he has taken a fancy
to. Just off of this room is another private room furnished in elab-
orate style including a couch. It is asserted that (X859) has used this
room for purposes of seduction.
By 12:30 A. M. on the nights of the dances many of the girls
were intoxicated, and were "picked up" by young men who frequented
the place for that purpose. There are a few assignation hotels in
the vicinity. One is the (X8G1) on the corner of (X862) and (X863)
streets.
Among the cadets seen here was Robert (X864), who at present is
living at the (X865) hotel with a girl called "Jessie" (X866). This
girl is a prostitute in a house at (X867) avenue.
(X868) hall, (X869) 22nd street. This dance hall is the most no-
torious place in Chicago. In fact it is to Chicago what the Haymarket
is to New York. A description is given here in order to contrast it
with the other dance halls described above on the proposition that
some of them are to all intents and purposes just as much a part
of the expression of this phase of prostitution.
The only difference is that no respectable girl enters (X868), unless
taken there by silly and thoughtless people, who want to show the
sights of the city. Every girl who frequents this place is a professional
prostitute, grooomed and trained to coax money out of the pockets
of visitors for the benefit of the managers and then to persuade him
to go to a hotel or to their own flats. One of the rules of this place is
that a girl is supposed to make each man spend at least 40 cents for
every round of drinks.
The price of admission to men is 25 cents, in addition to a tip of
10 cents for checking a hat.
The building in which this hall is located is owned by (X871), who
leases it to a combination like the following:
(X872), (X873), owner of the (X874) cafe, and one other per-
son, who is said to be a representative of (X875). (X876) acts as
manager for this trio.
The entertainment in this place is given by two men and one woman
singer. These men pass the basket and the collection goes to help
defray the expenses. The singers are paid $30 per week.
After a song, an orchestra in the balcony begins to play, and the
"guests" form in couples and dance.
The girls are very aggressive, and do not wait for an invitation,
but sit down at the tables, and as pointed out above, order a round
of drinks that costs no less than 40 cents.
The mixed drinks brought to the prostitutes are counterfeit. For
instance the girl orders a "B" ginger ale highball. This is colored
water made in imitation of this drink. The cost is probably less than
a cent, but the victim pays 25 or 50 cents for it.
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 195
The business is run in a systematic manner; the prostitutes must be
in their places at 9 :00 P. M. If they are tardy, the manager "calls
them down." The force of prostitute attaches numbers about 20 at the
present time. They charge $5.00 and generally go to the (X877)
hotel at the corner of (X878) and (X879) streets. The price of the
room here is usually $5.00 and the girl gets half. If she wants it
cheaper, she will hold up a certain number of fingers indicating the
price to be charged. The woman in attendance at the (X877) hotel
is colored and they call her (X881).
The following are among the prostitutes who solicit in this dance
hall and act as assistants to the managers in the sale of liquor.
(X886). This girl is called (X887) on account of her beauty and
money making ability. She came from New York City three years
ago. Is about 24 years of age; has been married twice. About five
months ago she entered the (X888), where she stayed two weeks.
During this period she became a pervert, and this has added to her
popularity with the men, particularly those who are advanced in years.
After returning to the dance hall she met an entertainer named
(X889) with whom she now lives on (X890) street, near (X891) ave-
nue, and bears his name. He sings in nickel theaters and restaurants.
Violet (X893). About 21 years of age. Came to Chicago about
two years ago from (X894), Illinois, where her parents still live.
She lives with a (X895) named (X896), at (X897) avenue. Violet
became immoral when she was 15 years old, and left (X894) because
she fell in love with a married man, who would not leave his wife.
Rosie (X899), alias Rosie (X900). About 20 years of age. Came
from (X900a), Minnesota, about two years ago. Violet (X901) is
her chum. Rosie lives with (X901) at (X903) avenue.
Bebe, correct name Bebe (X904). Came to (X905) about three
years ago. For the past two years has lived with a fellow named
(X906), who was an entertainer in the dance hall. Last year (X906)
was arrested for mistreating a 7 year old girl. He has a wife living
in (X908). Bebe recently quarreled with (X906), and she sent for
his wife who had him arrested. He is now living in (X910) with
his wife. Bebe lives with (X911), a waiter in the (X912) cafe.
Marcella (X913), alias Tantine (X914). About 20 years of age.
Was born in (X915), Wisconsin. Came to Chicago about two years
ago and started to work in the (X916) department store. One of the
managers insisted on taking her out, which she finally had to do "to
hold her job," as she asserts. At one time, she declared, she had a
miscarriage in the store. Finally she left the (X917) and became a
waitress for (X918) and Company at (X919) Park. While here she
started to go to dances at (X920) hall. One night she met a girl
who induced her to go to (X921) cafe to "hustle." At this time she
lived at (X922) avenue. Her married brother heard that she was
"hustling" and made her come to live with him on (X923), near
(X924) avenue. Afterward she left her brother, and entered a flat
operated by Mrs. (X925), room (X926), (X927) apartment building,
196 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
(X928) avenue and (X929) street. Two months after she began so-
liciting she was infected, and was confined in the Cook County Hos-
pital for two weeks. She has solicited in (X930), a saloon on the
corner of (X931) and (X932) streets.
Rosie (X933). About 21 years of age. Her parents live at the
(X934) hotel at present. She was married at one time to (X935),
but secured a divorce because he was a pervert.
Babette (X936). Solicits in (X937) and (X938). She is about
19 years of age. She lives with (X939), a salesman for (X940),
northeast corner of (X941) and (X942) streets. His salary is $20
per week. He first met her at the (X943) hall, where she attended
dances when she first came to the city. They live at the (X944)
hotel or flats at (X945) avenue and (X946) street, telephone
(X947).
Mag (X947a). Correct name is (X948), home in (X949), Ohio.
Parents still live there. Told investigator she was 16 years old. Said
(X876), manager of (X868), instructed her to tell everybody that
she is 19, and that if he ever found out that she told anyone her right
age, she would be put out and he would "beat her up beside." Mag's
chum also told investigator that she (Mag) was only 16. She also
said that Mag would be getting into trouble soon. Mag said she
was sending money home as her parents needed it. Her father is a
drunkard, she said. She has two sisters.
Tantine (X952). About 19 years of age. Is a blonde. Has been a
prostitute for three years. Been soliciting in (X953) for six months.
She lives at (X954) Wabash avenue. Flat (X955). Quite a num-
ber of prostitutes live in this flat. She pays four dollars per week
for room and bath.
Tantine's parents live in (X956). She went home last summer, and
told her parents she was married and had a "rich husband."
When she was 16 years of age she met a man named (X957), who'
promised to marry her, and on the strength of this promise seduced
her. They then planned to elope. He took her to (X958), Wyoming,
and put her in a sporting house.
The following is given in practically her own words:
"I was a little mutt, then, and I did not know where I was.
The landlady just asked my name and how old I was. I told her
16. She said I looked it. You bet I did. I wore my hair in a
braid, and it was parted in the center flat on my head. I also
wore short skirts. It was a pretty house, and the madame told
me to stay up in my room. She asked how I came to know
(X957), and I told her he was my husband. I did not see him
again until late that night. In a short while the landlady called
me down from my room and introduced me to an elderly gen-
tleman, and told me to go up to my room with him. I told her
I did not want to go up to my room with any one but my hus-
band. She said that man was going to give me a whole lot of
money, if I just went up to my room with him. I finally decided
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 197
to go up with him. He asked me if I wanted some wine. I
told him no. Then the landlady called me aside and said 'Order
it anyway, and if you can't drink it, why ditch it.' When we
got up to my room, I said, 'Yes, I'll have some wine, and ditch it.'
He started to laugh, and called the landlady up and told her what
I had said. The landlady laughed and said, 'She is only a little
rum, don't mind her.' He then explained to me that ditch it
meant to throw it away, when he was not looking.
After talking for a short while, he said it was about time that
he made me work. I asked what he meant, and he said, 'Take
your clothes off, and I'll show you.' I felt highly insulted and
told him so. He then told me where I was, and what I was up
against, and I started to cry. He then gave me $50 and told me
to go home to my mother, cause he said that was where I be-
longed.
1 did not see anybody else that day, and late that night (X957)
came back and told me that he already was married and he had
a child. He said that he was going to (X961) to get a divorce
and then marry me. At the same time he took the $50 away
from me.
I was only here one day, because the next day I met a fellow
who was going to (X962), and he asked me to go along. I con-
sented and went with him. I lived with him for nearly a year.
He was the second fellow I ever stayed with. (X957) actually
violated me. He forced me, and I was going to tell my mother
only he promised to marry me. No, I did not like him so very
much.
While in (X964) city, I had a quarrel with my fellow, and
left him. I took the train for (X965), because I had heard so
much about it. I "hustled" there for about a week, when I met
(X966), a very prominent doctor of (X965). He was a mar-
ried man, and he put me up in a swell hotel and gave me all
the money I needed; he only came to see me about three times a
week. All went well for about a month until one day I was ar-
rested by the chief of police himself. He took me into his of-
fice, and showed me a picture of myself which my father and
mother had sent him in order to locate me. I denied that I was
Tantine and said I did not have any parents and that I came from
(X968). He then asked me to name a few of the principal
streets of (X968) and I was stuck. I told him I could not re-
member them now, as I was not there very long, as I spent most
of my life in (X968). He asked me about (X968), and I got
away with that all right. I then told him that that picture could
not be of me as I was much older. I did age fearfully after
that. I look much older than 19, don't I? He talked to me for
about two hours, and I bulled him, and he finally let me go.
Everything was all right until one day I ran into a fellow
from home who also knew (X966). He promised to take me to
198 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
Chicago and I decided to go with him. He then wrote to (X973),
who was in (X974) at the time with his wife and child. When we
arrived in Chicago my friend put me in (X975) house, (X976)
Dearborn street, About a week later (X957) and his wife came to
Chicago. He came up to see me and wanted me to live with
him. I bawled him out and threatened to turn him over to the
police or kill him, if I ever saw him again. That same day his
wife came over to see me and she told me that he did the same
thing to her. He seduced her and when she had a baby her folks
made him marry her. She said he was leading her and the
child a dog's life, but she stuck for the child's sake. He was the
prettiest baby I ever saw. I believe they are living in (X978)
now.
I left (X975) house in about two months, and have been in
a lot of houses. I have been in places where they graft, almost
hold you up. I have hustled on the street. Yes, I used to pay
lots of protection money to policemen. But I got wise in time.
If they threaten to pinch me, why I say, go ahead and pinch
me, then they won't. No, you can't make any money hustling
on the street any more. If you want to be in right you have
got to give half of what you make to the coppers. No, I never
knew any of their names, but I could point them out to you
any time. Hell, they all graft. There is not a policeman around
here that doesn't hold us girls up, and I know it from experience.
But you see us girls who have been around a long time get wise,
and they don't get a nickel out of me any more.
I go home at 3 :00 A. M. every morning, and I don't hustle
any place any more but here. I think I make more than any of
the girls around here, and I don't spend it on booze like the rest
of them. That's why they never have anything. I make on an
average of $100 a week. That's pretty good, isn't it. Well,
come up to the house some afternoon, and see me. No, I don't
live with anybody. It don't pay."
Enforcement of the Law and Ordinances. On June 6, 1910, the
ordinance regarding bar permits went into effect. From this date
until October 31, 1910, the Department issued 1,207 bar permits. Of
this number 1,157 were issued for places where dances were to be
held. None of the surety bonds on which these permits have been
granted have been forfeited during that time.
DEPARTMENT STORES.
As an introduction to the study of Department Stores it may be
well to call particular atention to the fact that the present economic
and insanitary conditions under which the girls employed in factories
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 199
and department stores live and work, has an effect on the nervous
forces of the girl in such a way as to render her much more susceptible
to prostitution.
This is true as a basis. The whole tendency of modern life, which
places a greater strain on the nervous system of both men and women
of all classes than has ever been placed at any time in the history of
the civilized world, cannot but help, to a great extent, develop consid-
erable eroticism. The sexual senses of the brain, as well as the sem-
inal parts, are from the very nature of their natural functions, sus-
ceptable organisms and they will be the most readily influenced by
modes of life, and highly speeded modern life must stimulate these or-
ganisms.
It is a sound medical fact that practically the same condition in
regard to stimulation of nerve cells exists at the point of extreme ex-
haustion, where a person has a feeling of strength which is unnatural,
and that point is usually reached after exceedingly hard and exacting
labor, or at the point where high feeling, improper exercise, and a
considerable amount of alcohol can bring the nerves to a point of
stimulation. That is the explanation of the fact that people try to dis-
prove the economic explanation of prostitution from the fact that there
are people of all classes of society addicted to immorality.
It is unfortunate that it has not been possible to undertake a full
investigation of hours of labor and the results of nervous strain caused
by machinery and occupations where machinery is chiefly employed and
operated by women and girls.
Without this accurate economic data, it is practically impossible to
established a firm foundation on which to deal with the sources of
vice in its various forms.
This lack of data is supplied, to a degree, by the following quota-
tions showing the effect of this nervous strain upon working people,
men, women and girls.
D. BAD EFFECT OF LONG HOURS ON MORALS.
"The effect of overwork on morals is closely related to the injury
to health. Laxity of moral fibre follows physical debility. When the
working day is so long that no time whatever is left for a minimum
of leisure or home life, relief from the strain of work is sought in
alcoholic stimulants and other excesses." Massachusetts Legislative
Document House, 1866, No. 98.
200 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
"Overwork is the fruitful source of innumerable evils. Ten and
eleven hours daily of hard labor are more than the human system
can bear, save in a few exceptional cases. * * * It cripples the body,
ruins health, shortens life. It stunts the mind, gives no time for
culture, no opportunity for reading, study or mental improvement. It
leaves the system jaded and worn, with no ability to study. * * * It
tends to dissipation in various forms. The exhausted system craves
stimulants. This opens the door to other indulgences, from which
flow not only the degeneracy of individuals, but the degeneracy of the
race." (Page 24.) Relations Between Labor and Capital. U. S.
Senate Committee, 1883. Vol. I.
"I have noticed that the hard slavish overwork is driving those girls
into the saloons, after they leave the mills evenings * * * good re-
spectable girls, but they come out so tired and so thirsty and ex-
hausted * * * from working along steadily from hour to hour and
breathing the noxious effluvia from the grease and other ingredients
used in the mill." Testimony of Robert Howard, Mulespinner in Fall
River Cotton Mills. 1
E. BAD EFFECT OF FATIGUE UPON MORALS. 2
The dangers attendant upon excessive working hours are shown
also by the moral degeneration which results from over fatigue. Laxity
of moral fibre follows physical debility. When the working day is so
long that no time is left for a minimum of leisure and recreation, re-
lief from the strain of work is often sought in alcoholic stimulants.
In extreme cases the moral breakdown leads to mental degeneracy
and criminal acts.
(1) GENERAL LOSS OF MORAL RESTRAINTS.
"There can be little doubt that working 10 hours a day would be
more favorable to health and the enjoyment of life than 12 hours
a day can be ; but without entering into the question of health, no one
will hesitate, I think, to admit that, in a moral point of view, so en-
tire an absorption of the time of the working classes * * * must be
extremely prejudicial, and is an evil greatly to be deplored. Some
there are, undoubtedly, who, by more than ordinary natural energy,
overcame this disadvantage; but with the great mass it has had the
'These extracts were taken from the decision of The United States Supreme
Court in the case of Curt Muller v. State of Oregon, upholding the constitu-
tionality of the 10 hour law for women and Brief for State of Oregon by Louis
B. Brandeis.
'Brief and Argument in case of Ritchie et al. v. Wayman and Davies. Filed
in the Supreme Court of Illinois by Louis B. Brandeis at the December, 1909,
term.
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 201
effect of rendering them ignorant, prejudiced, addicted to coarse
sensual indulgences, and susceptible of being led into mischief and
violence by any appeal to their passions or prejudices. With so few
opportunities of mental culture, and of moral and religious training,
it is surprising that there should be so many respectable and virtuous
people among them. For the sake, therefore, of public morals, of
bringing up an orderly population, and of giving the great body of the
people an enjoyment of life, it is much to be desired that in all trades
some portion of every working day should be reserved for rest and
leisure." (Page 30.) British Sessional Papers. Vol. XXII, 1842. Re-
ports of Inspectors of Factories.
"Wherever you go * * * near the abodes of people who are over-
worked, you will always find the sign of the rum shop. Drinking
is most prevalent among working people where the hours of labor
are long." The case for the Factory Acts. Edited by Mrs. Sidney
Webb. London, 1901.
"If working long and irregular hours, accepting a bare subsistence
wage and enduring insanitary conditions tended to increase women's
physical strength and industrial skill if these conditions or unregu-
lated industry even left unimpaired the woman's natural stock of
strength and skill we might regard factory legislation as irrelevant.
But as a matter of fact a whole century of evidence proves exactly the
contrary. To have women's labor unregulated by law means inev-
itably to leave it exposed to terribly deteriorating influences. The
woman's lack of skill and lack of strength is made worse by lack of
regulation. And there is still a further deterioration. Anyone who
has read the evidence given in the various inquiries into the Sweating
System will have been struck by the invariable coincidence of a low
standard of regularity, sobriety and moraltity, with the conditions to
which women, under free competition are exposed." (Page 209.)
Dangerous Trades. Thomas Oliver, MD., London. 1902.
"On the morals of the workers there has been a marked effect."
If working long and irregular* hours, accepting a bare subsistence
wage, and enduring insanitary conditions tended to increase women's
physical strength and industrial skill if these conditions of unregulated
industry even left unimpaired the woman's natural stock of strength
and skill we might regard factory legislation as irrelevant. But as
a matter of fact a whole century of evidence proves exactly the con-
trary. To leave women's labor unregulated by law means inevitably
to leave it exposed to terribly deteriorating influences. The woman's
lack of skill and lack of strength is made worse by lack of regulation.
And there is still a further deterioration. Any one who has read the
evidence given in the various inquiries into the Sweating System will
have been struck by the invariable coincidence of a low standard of
regularity, sobriety and morality, with the conditions to which women,
under free competition, are exposed. (Pages 209-210.) The Case of
202 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
the Factory Acts. Edited by Mrs. Sidney Webb, London, Richards,
1901.
"Girls in factories are expected to keep up a certain 'pace/ while
at work, and ten hours of driving work at a hot pace are not to be
considered conducive to good health physically or to leave the worker
in any humor for applying herself to educational improvement. Dances
and shows will be the most attractive things to be indulged in after
work, if the chance offer." (Pages 33-34.) Charities and the Com-
mons. March 6, 1909. Vol. XXI. No. 23. New York. The In-
dutsrial Environment of Pittsburgh's Working Women. Elizabeth
Beardsley Butler, Former Secretary New Jersey Consumers' League.
"Although very many girls are brought here, innocently betrayed
into a slavery rigid in its strictness and purports in its nature, the price
offered to the victim is only that of higher wages and better economic
conditions, the greater number of women who have already been
living an immoral life abroad, and who come to the United States
willingly to continue open-eyed practices of their former life, come to
secure higher wages, often profit ten times as great as they have re-
ceived in Europe, though they are subject to their pimps, and have
little or no opportunity to save for themselves, there is yet the op-
portunity for higher gains, a higher economic standard of living, an
opportunity for travel and the interest of a new environment, and
perhaps at times a hope of real betterment of conditions. Page 6
Senate Document 196.
There are many men who own large establishments, who pay wages
which simply drive women into prostitution.
Some of the girls who are most tempted, and who enter lives of pros-
titution, work in the big department stores, surrounded by luxuries,
which all of them crave, and sell large quantities of those luxuries
for a wage compensation of about $7.00 or $8.00 a week, and even
less.
This subject is treated in the Pittsburg Survey under the head of
"The Woman and the Trades," published by the Russell Sage Founda-
tion. On page 305, the writer said:
"Where the store is particular as to the mode of life of its em-
ployes, and makes it a point of dismissing those who offend against its
standards, the percentage of girls that lead irregular lives is lower
than in those stores where it is sometimes tolerated and sometimes
encouraged; yet from among the girls themselves, and those dealing
with it from those sources, my information is that in the moral
jeopardy of shop girls lies one of the serious problems of the women
employed in trades."
In all large citise there is a system of common school education,
which is thorough and very good in most cases. It educates the de-
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 203
sires of young boys and girls to a point of at least decent living in
comfort. It also gives them the power of analyzing their own posi-
tions, and the positions of those who surround them. It is inevitable
that when such young men and young women go out into life, they
should be very ambitious that in a few years they will be running some
establishment. But later on a man reaches $12.00 or $15.00 a week,
and the woman $7.00 or $8.00, and find themselves units in a vast
array of clerical and office help, with no hope for bettering their con-
dition. This results in creating a class in society, too intelligent to
burden the world with children whom they cannot .support and edu-
cate, and fill society with homes where only the father works, and
homes which naturally will be more frequented by installment col-
lectors for furniture, than by happiness or any other socially com-
fortable thing.
EXISTING CONDITIONS.
The girl in the department store is confronted with certain tempta-
tions which are ever pressing harder upon her. The first of these
is the procuress, the second the "cadet," and third, the man directly
over her, who may even be the manager or the proprietor himself.
But in spite of these temptations it is only fair to say that many
of these girls never fall before these allurements. They work grimly
on enduring and suffering to the end.
It has been established after exhaustive study that it is quite im-
possible for a working girl in any large city to live on less than eight
dollars per week, yet employers of these department stores say that
they pay on an average of from $6.00 to $7.00 per week.
This is - all the girls are worth, they maintain, the law of supply
and demand regulates all this.
And because the unskilled girl workers are a drug on the market
the employer keeps piling up enormous profits and paying great divi-
dends, sometimes extra dividends.
In writing upon this subject in Pearson's Magazine for February,
1911, at page 178, Richard Barry refers to a census taken last year by
the Woman's Trade Union League of Chicago, which showed that
"from 25 per cent, to 30 per cent, of the women employed in the
department stores were not receiving sufficient money to enable them
to procure the necessities of life."
204 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
And again, Mr. Barry calls attention to the work of a New York
home for women, the matron of which is said to have declared that
"16 per cent, of the girls who applied there for refuge, have entered a
life or immorality in the greatest city in the country because of in-
sufficient wages, which do not allow them to pay for food and lodg-
ing."
Under the heading "Profits from Prostitution in Chicago," in this
Commission's report, attention is called to the earnings of the in-
mates of houses of prostitution giving as an average $25.00 per week
or $1,300.00 per annum, which is ultra conservative. This is five
per cent, on $26,000.00. The average wage paid in a department store
is $6.00 per week or $300.00 per annum. This is five per cent, on
$6,000.00. In other words a girl represents a capitalized value of
$26,000.00 as a professional prostitute, where brains, virtue and all
good things are "nil," or more than four times as much as she is
worth as a factor in the industrial and social economy where brains,
intelligence, virtue and womanly charm should be worth a premium. 1
Does it surprise one in the face of these conditions that many weak,
tempted, nervously exhausted girls realizing the financial profits from
the sale of their virtue enter upon what they believe for the moment
to be the "easiest way," only to experience finally its sad consequence.
A former salesgirl in a department store was seen in a fashionable
all-night restaurant. She said that four weeks previous she had been
earning $8.00 per week. She enumerated different articles of clothing
which she was wearing, and gave the prices of each, including her hat.
The total amount came to over $200.00. Her eyes had been opened
to her earning capacity in the "sporting" life by a man who laughed
at her for wasting her good looks and physical charms behind a
counter for a boss who was growing rich from her services, and the
services of others like her.
A girl who had been employed as a misses' model in another de-
partment store at $10.00 per week also learned that she could easily
become a "$5.00" girl, by frequenting a notorious dance hall. She had
been in this hall two weeks when she remarked that the "graft" was
so easy she was almost "ashamed to take the money," and "it beat the
department store game all to hell."
*See Chapter I, Existing Conditions, page 95.
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 205
The plain blunt facts tell more than pages of theorizing on the
subject.
Let us look for a moment at the results of the field investigation as
undertaken by the Commission showing some of the methods used in
the stores, the wages now actually being paid and then the various
forms of temptations surrounding the girls.
METHODS USED IN THE STORES.
/. Application for Employment. The application blank which a
prospective salesgirl must fill out usually contains blanks for a record
of a girl's entire business experience, as well as educational quali-
fications, etc. A study of these application blanks would be intensely
interesting if it were possible to obtain them.
//. Rules. These rules are usually very elaborate and cover a wide
field. One rule generally conspicuous calls attention of the employe
to dress requirements.
A case is on record where a girl actually purchased 24 shirt waists
in one year in order to "be cleanly and neat in appearance, avoiding
extravagance and display," as required by the rules. Of course the
girl knew that $5.00 waists would last longer than 98 cent ones, and it
would be economical to buy such waists, but in her case she never
could amass a sum like $5.00, so she purchased the 98 cent ones,
washed them once or twice and when they fell to pieces, threw them
away. No doubt other girls could do better, having a knowledge of
sewing and washing. Another washed her one waist every night, in
order to appear "cleanly and neat," and avoid "extravagance and dis-
Play."
///. The Fining System. Another method used by certain depart-
ment stores under the guise of "maintaining discipline" is the fining
system. For every mistake an employe makes, for every moment
they are late in their places, there is a regulated system of fines. These
natural, and often unavoidable losses are watched and recorded, and
the amounts deducted from the weekly salary.
IV. Wages Paid. The information given below was obtained from
the girls in the different stores by a woman who has worked among
them for fifteen years and knew they were telling the truth.
206 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
(X980) pays a uniform scale of wages, amounting to $2.00 per
week to all clerks, and they allow in addition a percentage on goods
which are sold in the house as follows :
On Hat selling for $2.48 15 cents
4.98 25 "
" Fur " " 4.98 25
Feathers " " .69 5
a a 98 5 a
" Underwear
garments . " 2.19 10 "
a a 24 1 "
Waists " " 1.98 7
Hose " " .19 1
Gloves " " .24 1 "
Young sales inspectors receive a straight salary of $4.00 and older
ones $5.00 per week. If a mistake is made by any of the clerks in mak-
ing out sales, they are charged 10 cents, an error slip for this amount
being put in against them.
Another store (X981). A girl in the china department receives $6.00
per week. She has been in the employ of this firm for a long time.
This house pays 2 per cent, over a certain amount of sales for the
week. Young inspectors receive $4.00 and older girls $4.50 to $5.00
per week.
Another store (X982). A salesgirl without much experience receives
$6.00 per week. Some are raised to $7.00 after a year or two. They
offered a young lady with some experience $10.00 per week to work in
the curtain department. This is one of the most difficult positions to
hold in a department store, as a salesgirl must know how to display the
goods, as well as the names of the different grades.
One of the girls in the hosiery department receives $6.00 per week ;
one in the hardware department $6.00. Some girls in these different
departments receive $7.00 per week; one girl in the grocery depart-
ment $6.00. A woman about 45 years of age in the general department
works from 11 :00 A. M.. to, 4 :00 P. M. and receives $6.00 per week.
Another clerk works from 10:00 A. M. to 6:00 P. M. and also re-
ceives $6.00 per week. A girl has to be a very good saleswoman to
get more than $6.00 in this department store.
(X983). This department store pays from $4.00 to $5.00 per week
for new help. One of the managers told a young lady who had had a
great deal of experience that they would not pay more than $6.00 per
week, for it was possible to get a great many girls for $5.00. "Most
of our girls," he declared, "live at home and only work for pin
money."
(X984). This department store will take new help on at $6.00
per week, if they have had any experience. They pay young in-
spectors $3.00, $3.50 and $4.50 per week, and older ones $5.00 per
SOURCES OP SUPPLY 207
week. Some of the older women are paid $7.50 in such departments
as suits, hats and coats.
One of the girls in the hardware department of this store says she
went to dances two or three times a week, and was only working for
the holidays. When asked what she expected to do after that, she
said, "I will get along all right."
(X985) pays $6.00 per week to a great many of their salesladies.
Inspectors are receiving $3.00, $3.50 and $4.00 per week. One young
lady was very bitter in her remarks, and said, "If the folks who were
getting up the tag days would go into the department stores and help
the poorly paid girls they would be doing something worth while."
A manager of a department in this store who has charge of 10 girls
said he knew that seven of them went to houses of prostitution on
certain nights of the week to earn extra money.
One of the girls in the waist department said she had to wash
her waist at night, so as to have it clean for the next day, as it was
the only waist she had.
A girl working in one of these department stores was found by
a detective of the store in a saloon. She told the detective she had a
boy to take care of, and could not do it on the salary she received,
which was $10.00 per week. She was discharged by the store, and
afterwards became a professional prostitute.
Some of the girls in the suit, cloak and millinery departments make
as high at $15.00 per week, but few of them are assured of a perma-
nent position.
TEMPTATIONS TO WHICH SALESGIRLS IN DEPARTMENT STORES ARE SUB-
JECTED.
As pointed out above, the girl in the department store is subjected
to certain temptations to which some yield, and from which many flee.
These temptations appear in the following guises:
I. The Procuress. The woman who appears before the girl's
counter or in the waiting room and compliments her on her good
looks and bewails with her the injustice which prevents her from
having the beautiful clothes to which she is entitled and the good
times, because of her youth and beauty. Too often the girl listens
and accepts the "elegant" lady's invitation to come to her flat for
dinner or to spend Sunday.
One of these women did so appear before a young girl and did in-
vite her to her "beautiful flat," in fact she was continually asking other
208 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
girls to do the same thing. But her flat was a disorderly house and
her own daughter was one of the inmates.
Again, one day a saleslady went to the rest room to wash. A woman
dressed in very rich apparel came to her and asked her to meet a
young man. The girl was afraid and told the house detective who
went to the room, but the woman had disappeared.
Another woman who posed as a rich lady, traded several times
with a girl at the drug counter in one of the department stores. One
day she asked the girl to visit her home, saying that her husband was
away. The girl accepted this hospitality, and afterward went to live
with a man who conducted a surgical instrument house.
II. The "Cadet." This boy or man may be seen any evening near
the employes' exit of department stores with the avowed purpose
of making the acquaintance of some attractive girl and bear her off in
triumph to the restaurant and the theater.
A few weeks ago two young men were attempting to talk with a
little girl who was an inspector at one of the stores. They were put
off the floor at two different times. The girl had about made up her
mind to go with them. She was changed to another floor.
A young saleswoman, 19 years of age, in one of the department
stores, formed the habit of going to cafes in the evening. One night
she met a young man, and he persuaded her \.o live with him. After-
ward she became acquainted with a rich man who gave her a great
many presents. Finally, she gave up her position, and shared the
rich man's gifts with her first lover. She continued to send money
home to her mother, who lived in a small town, and and thought her
married. The girl eventually paid off a mortgage on her mother's
home.
During the past summer five different men and women were fre-
quenting the rest rooms at one of the department stores. One was
arrested, but was finally released. One of these persons was a colored
woman who said the girls she was talking to were her own daughters.
She made this statement in spite of the fact that the girls were white,
and one had red hair. While one of the employes of the store went
for the girls to identify the woman, she disappeared.
///. Married Men. Married men are among the worst offenders
against salesgirls, and use all sorts of methods to induce them to ac-
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 209
cept invitations to dine, or go to the theater. These men come to the
counters while their wives are shopping, and thus enter into conversa-
tion with the girls. They are very bold and aggressive in their
actions, and if the girls resent these attentions, some of these men
actually report them to the floor walkers, claiming they neglected
their business. In some cases these complaints have led to the dis-
charge of the girls in the store.
IV. Men Employers, Salesmen and Women. A certain floor walker
had been in the habit of taking girls out. He was continually
harassing the girls who did not accept his invitation. A house de-
tective finally succeeded in having him discharged. Some salesgirls
will testify their downfall was caused by their employers, and they
actually wore diamonds belonging to these employers. Two girls who
are employed in a department store (X985a) came to work one day in
an intoxicated condition. They went to the office of one of the
partners, sat down in chairs, and put their feet on his desk. An em-
ploye of the store tried' to persuade them to leave. They said they
would not, and dared him to put them out. He did not do so.
An employe of (X985b) store said she actually heard a superin-
tendent ask a girl who had complained that she could not work for
$6.00 per week, if this was the only zvay she had of earning money.
She answered that it was. He then told her that the house could not
pay her any more.
A man at (X985c), a large department store, had charge of in-
spectors. One day he went so far as to take one of the girls to his
home when his wife was away. The girl got into trouble and he
left the city. The firm cautioned all the employes not to speak of
the incident.
The head of (X985d) department store told an employe he did not
care what the girl did outside of working hours, so long as they did
not bring disgrace on the name of the store.
The superintendent of (X985e) department store mistreated his
stenographer. She was a very good looking girl, just from the country,
and boarded at the Y. W. C. A. After her downfall, she left the store,
and was finally put out of this charitable and religious institution.
The superintendent proved to be a cigarette fiend, and finally committed
suicide in Denver. The girl lived with this man after her trouble. The
210 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
last time she was seen by a friend, she was about to leave the city,
saying she was going to kill herself soon.
A matron at one of the large department stores once told a salesgirl
she was foolish to work there, as she could make money easier in
the "sporting life." About two weeks later this girl resigned, and was
found by a detective from this store in a basement saloon on Madison
street.
V. Voluntary. One day a house detective in one of the stores
actually heard several young cash girls relating their experience while
out with men during the evening. They made such remarks as, "He
opened a bottle for me," and "We had a swell time."
One salesgirl, 17 years of age, by the name of Sadie, was heard to
remark in one of the stores that she wasn't going to work again, as
she had "touched a guy last night for $50.00, and now I will have a
swell hat." The man from whom she had stolen the money came to
the store with an officer, and the girl was compelled to return the
money. This man would not prosecute.
Several young salesgirls, who entered a life of professional prosti-
tution, have done so on the plea that they could live on "easy street."
One of these girls died, another married a doctor on the North Side.
One night while the detective was in the (X986) and (X987) cafes
at (X988) Wabash avenue, he saw five salesgirls in these places whom
he recognized as being from a certain department store on State
street.
An employe of a great many years in the department stores said
that she knew many salesgirls who lived with men who were not their
husbands.
One girl who worked in the suit department of one of the stores
left to enter a life of prostitution. At the present time she is what
is known as a "kept woman."
Mrs. (X989), who conducts an immoral flat at (X990) 24th street,
said that the whole success of a flat like hers depends upon getting
young fresh girls. She spoke of two who came during certain even-
ings, and who worked in (X990a) department store.
VI. Typical Cases. September nth. Bebe was soliciting on North
Clark street. She works at one of the large department stores.
On September loth. Rosie was seen in a dance hall at (X991)
North Clark street. She works in the basement of one of the large
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 211
f
department stores, and receives $6.00 per week. Out of this she pays
$3.00 for her meals and $2.00 room rent, and 60 cents per week car-
fare. She "hustles" three nights every week, as a business proposi-
tion. She said that during these nights she could be found in the rear
room of (X992) saloon at (X993) North Clark street. She is about
20 years of age.
September 2ist. Mag was seen at the dance hall on North Clark
street. She works in one of the large department stores at a salary
of $5.00 per week. She has a furnished room on North Clark street.
At one time she had a baby which died. She was "hustling" certain
nights in the week, and claims she does it to help support herself.
September 24th. There were about 200 girls in a dance hall at
(X994) avenue. One of these, Lillie, about 19 years of age, works in
a department store and receives a salary of $5.00 per week. She will
take presents from her men friends, but refuses the actual money.
One of these friends gave her a bracelet the week previous. He is a
clerk in the same store.
Violet, another girl at this dance, is about 18 years of age, and
works in a department store at $6.00 per week. She has two steady
friends, who take her out each week, and give her $2.00 a week. This
brings up her salary to $10.00 per week. They take her to a room
downtown, but she would not give the name of the place. She lives
at home with her parents, and when she goes out tells them she is going
to a show with a girl friend.
Bell, another one of the girls at this dance, works in a millinery
store and receives $4.00 per week. One day when she was nearly
broke a fellow proposed to take her out, and she agreed to the propo-
sition. Bell is about 20 years of age and very good looking. .
Bessie solicits every night in (X995), a notorious cafe at (X996)
State street. Until recently she worked in a department store at $6.00
per week, but concluded this was not enough, and as she had no
other way of increasing her salary, started to solicit in this place.
She goes home in the morning at either 2 :00 or 2 :30 A. M. and often
takes with her from $5.00 to $30.00; she charges $5.00.
October 8th. Dora was attending a dance at the (X997). At pres-
ent she works in one of the large department stores and receives
$11.00 per week. Recently a friend gave her a pair of gloves, and has
promised her an old gold bracelet. He is an insurance agent. She
makes dates with anyone who asks her. Her sister, Tantine, works in
another department store as a clerk and receives $7.00 per week.
On this same date there was another dance held in the (X998) and
was given by the (X999) Union. Violet was at this dance. She is in
the habit of "hustling" every night in one of the saloons in the 22nd
street district. She works in one of the department stores downtown.
At present she is keeping a man and they live together in a furnished
room on (X1000) avenue.
There was another girl of the same character, who also works in
the same department store with Violet.
212 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
October 3rd. A dance was held at (X1001) 35th street and several
of the girls who were there were professional prostitutes; two es-
pecially have a flat at the corner of (X1002) street and (X1003) ave-
nue and one on (X1004) avenue, and two others were from Mrs.
(X1005) place at (X1006) near (X1007) avenue on the north side
of the street. There were four girls at this dance from two of the
department stores downtown. One of these girls had a pair of garters
and a comb which (X1008) gave her. She stated that (X1009) goes
with her a few nights each week, and takes her to the (X1010) hotel,
(X1011) street and (X1012) avenue. She was willing to make a sim-
ilar date for the money there was in it.
Three other girls, who also work in a department store, were willing
to make dates of a similar nature. One said she had three steady
friends, one of whom has a private room which he keeps for the pur-
pose of taking girls. This room is on (X1013) avenue, but she would
not give the number.
One of the most notorious dance halls in Chicago is at (X1014)
North Clark street. On Saturday nights many girls who come to
this dance are semi-professional or professional prostitutes. On Sat-
urday and Sunday nights the attendance is about 300, and many of
these girls are waitresses, house maids and clerks in department stores.
The ones who do not charge for their services are all called "charity."
Among the cadets who were present at one of these dances was
(X1015), who lives in one of the hotels near the restricted district with
his girl Jessie. The girl is a prostitute at a house at (X1016) avenue.
Among the prostitutes who solicit in (X1017) dance hall is one
named Mignon (X1018), alias Violet. She is about 20 years old. She
came to Chicago two years ago from (X1019), Wisconsin, and suc-
ceeded in obtaining a position on one of the large department stores.
One of the managers of this store insisted on taking her out, and she
finally accepted his invitation. She claims she did it in order to hold
her job. Finally Violet got into trouble, and she actually had a mis-
carriage in the store.
An inmate of a house of prostitution at (X1025) Dearborn street
by the name of Paulette said that she was 22 years of age, but she
looks much younger. She formerly lived in (X1026), Massachusetts,
where she married at 17. After living with her husband two years,
they had a misunderstanding and parted. She first came to Chi-
cago to work in one of the department stores downtown in the shirt
waist department, and received $7.00 per week. This sum was after-
ward reduced to $6.00. "I could not live on that," she said, "so I
took up the sporting life, because it appealed to me. It was impossible
to make a living where I was. And even while I was in the store
I made money on the side. I was in the habit of taking men to hotels,
one, two or three times a week, when I wasn't too tired. After I had
been working two months, I left the position and entered the house."
Paulette, in speaking further of her experience in department stores,
says: "One can't live downtown; that is no district for a girl to
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 213
live in; she might as well be here. If a girl in a store wears soiled
clothing, they will tell her about it. You have to work in a depart-
ment store for years and years and years before you get anything.
While in the store," she continued, "I heard of a case of a good girl
getting $6.00 a week. She asked for more money. She said she
couldn't live on that. The man said, 'Can't you get somebody to
keep you'?"
At the present time Paulette earns $17.00 to $23.00 above her ex-
penses each week.
AMUSEMENT PARKS.
Social workers who have paid particular attention to conditions in
amusement parks in the city declare that incidents have come to their
notice showing a laxity of supervision, and the moral dangers sur-
rounding young girls who frequent these places for amusement. 1
During the time given to this part of the work three amusement
parks were investigated by two investigators whose reports corroborate
each other. These parks were (X1026a), (X1026b) and (X1026c).
According to common report the conditions in these parks, es-
pecially (X1026a), had been unfavorable earlier in the summer. In
September, the time of the investigation, these conditions had m>
proved. In general it was found that there were many young girls
who were unaccompanied, flirting with young boys and men and sug-
gesting participation in different forms of amusement.
Usually there are saloons near the entrances of these parks, and
young girls were seen in the rear rooms of these places. Couples also
came into these saloons from the park.
September i^th. Investigator met Rose (X1027), a girl about 21
years old, from (X1028), Illinois. She stood near the Scenic Railway,
and remarked that it was tiresome not to have some one to take her
around, and she had never been on a Scenic Railway. She works in
a butter factory and has a private room and a few steady friends
who came to see her. She receives $1.00 per day in the butter factory
and pays $2.00 for her room and has to eat two meals per day in a
restaurant. She lives at (X1028a) avenue and would go out for $2.00.
Ella (X1029) and Rosie (X1030) said they lived on (X1031) ave-
nue, telephone (X1032). She boards with her mother. Gave their
ages as 24 and 25. They both work for (X1033), each receives
$7.00 per week. They go out once in a while to earn a little spending
money. Would have to go to (X1034) avenue for a room.
'For the City Ordinances, see Appendix XX.
214 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
Investigator danced with two girls in the park dance hall. One
was 16, the other 17. Later he saw these girls drinking beer with
two men in the Casino. He also danced with two professional prosti-
tutes, who were in company with fellows. One invited him to join
the crowd and go downtown to a place on North Clark street where
a room could be secured for the night. While in Casino investigator
saw another professional prostitute whom he had seen in the rear of
(X1035) saloon on North Clark street. The man who was with her
called her Josie. She was intoxicated.
ANOTHER PARK.
September pth. Three hours at this amusement place. Counted
17 women soliciting within the place, nine of these were recognized by
investigator, who had seen them soliciting in the downtown (Loop)
district. Five of these women went downtown with men after they
had been drinking beer in the cafe.
September nth. While in this park on this date, investigator saw
three girls whom he knew to be street walkers on downtown streets
take men in that direction.
September i^th. Investigator met girl in front of a weighing ma-
chine. She said she lived with her husband at (X1036) avenue and in-
vited investigator to go to her home while her husband was away, if he
had any money.
Violet in front of the "mixer," an amusement device. Solicited
him to go to (X1037) avenue to a room. She would not give the
address.
Tantine and Pauline. Two professional prostitutes, from (X1037)
avenue. They invited investigator to this house, offering vulgar and
unnatural inducements.
While investigator was in dance hall, conducted with this amusement
place, he counted 45 girls, among them the two professional prosti-
tutes mentioned above. The girls in general appeared to be decent.
CONDITIONS IN VICINITY OF THIS PARK.
One of the dangers connected with the amusement parks and resorts
of this nature is the presence of saloons in front, of entrances and on
the side streets in the vicinity. The following are saloons so situated
in the neighborhood of this park.
(X1038). Not on police list. Met Rosie in this saloon. Waiter
said he could "fix it" so they could get a room upstairs but it would
be useless without his "say so."
(XI 039). Not on police list. Met Josie in this saloon. She said
Harry, the bartender, could "fix it up" so they could get a room, her
price was $2.00.
(X1040). Not on police list. Bebe said a colored man at side door
would see that she got a room, but she would not say where the room
was located.
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 215
Investigator met a girl on 63rd street who invited him to go to
a private flat. Later this girl took another fellow to (X1041) avenue
which is a flat building.
ANOTHER PARK.
Sept. 9th. Three hours at this place. Investigator counted 11 women
who were professional prostitutes. In fact he recognized five who
solicit on Wabash avenue between Peck court and Van Buren street
in the down down district. These girls frequent a hotel on (X1040a),
near (X1040b).
In dance hall investigator met two girls, one of whom frequents
(X1042) saloon at (X1043) avenue, a "tough" place. Bella told him
that sporting women were not allowed in the dance hall. If they find
such a girl they make her leave the floor. She and her sister were
the only ones that had not been caught.
LAKE STEAMERS.
There are two classes of boats on the lake, those which carry the
holiday crowds and those which cater to the regular vacation traffic.
The excursion boats, as a rule, carry an element which is more or
less disorderly. The other boats are less frequented by this element. 1
There are several classes of these disorderly groups on the holiday
boats; first, girls who are evidently professional or semi-professional
prostitutes, together with young men whom they find it easy to at-
tract; second, the class of vile young men who make these excursion
trips for the purpose of seeking out girl recruits; and third, a group
which is very important, especially when the preventive end of the
work is considered as conducted by the Juvenile Protective Association.
The following is a typical story which illustrates this last group :
A young couple who are sweethearts starts on one of these excur-
sions. The trip is longer than is expected, or the girl is taken sick. A
state room is secured and this one act may change the whole aspect
of the future relationship of these two and may entirely spoil what
might have developed into a happy married life.
Of the excursion steamers the (X1044) was the worst and the
(X1045) the least offensive. The (X1044), in addition to being a
very large boat capacity approximately 5,000 people makes a rather
long trip. This boat also has a large number of easily acquired state
rooms.
'For text of law, see Appendix IV.
216 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
Practically all of the boats were equipped with bars and the quantity
of liquor sold depended entirely on the character of the crowd aboard.
The bar in the (X1047) was extremely popular and liquor was openly
sold to both young men and young women who were evidently minors.
Gambling machines were openly used on nearly all of the boats
in the early part of the season, but were taken off for some reason in
August. A lottery game for selling candy was another means of
gambling, but was not nearly so popular with the boys and young men
as the nickel gambling wheel.
TYPICAL INSTANCES.
The following are typical instances of conditions found on these
boats:
Investigator left South Haven on August 21st at 5:30 P. M. for
Chicago on the (X1044). Almost every state room on the boat was in
use. The decks were crowded, and many of the young men were
getting acquainted with the girls. Observation of the state rooms
was as follows:
In No. 66 were four men. Two girls visited the room during the
trip. In No. 61 there was one girl. She was visited by four men at
different times. No. 69 was occupied by two girls and two young men.
In No. 21 three men and three girls were in the lower berth.
In the bar room about twenty young girls were drinking beer, five
of them not over twelve years of age. One child, eight years old, was
drinking beer with older people.
September 3rd, 1910, investigator left Chicago on the steamship
(X1049) for South Haven, Michigan. In the bar room there were
about twenty young girls and boys sitting at tables drinking beer.
In state room No. 28, two boys and two girls girls were lying in the
berths and all under the influence of liquor. In room No. 56 were
found two men and two girls; one of the girls appeared to be very
drunk. Three boys visited state room No. 51 during the trip. A young
woman was in this room. In state room No. 64 a man about sixty-five
years old was sitting at the door reading. Later he was seen in the
crowd talking very earnestly to a young woman. After a while they
went into state room No. 64 and locked the door, and did not appear
again until the boat arrived in South Haven.
On September 5th, 1910, this boat had a very large crowd on its
return trip to Chicago. On the upper deck a man was in earnest con-
versation with a girl. The girl was very good looking and well dressed.
The man had been talking some time when he was heard to say, "I
will get a state room." She said, "All right, I will see." He went
downstairs and when he returned she went with him to state room
No. 19.
SOURCES OP SUPPLY 217
One girl and three different men entered stateroom No. 53.
Saturday, July 2nd, 1910, investigator left Chicago for South
Haven at 2:00 P. M. on the steamer (X1050). The passengers con-
sisted principally of boys and girls between the ages of twelve to twenty-
one. The boat was loaded to its full capacity.
Shortly after the boat left Chicago groups of men began to crowd
the deck, and one group of six young men, all under age, stood in a
circle drinking whiskey. Another party of eight had suit cases filled
with beer. They drank the beer and threw the empty bottles over-
board saturating the men and women in their vicinity with the froth
from the bottles. Sitting on the upper deck were three women talking.
Soon a young man came up and said, "The bunch are all down in the
state room stewed and Arvella is the only girl in the crowd." The
number of this state room was 71.
The bar room was filled with boys and girls. Two girls in par-
ticular could not have been over sixteen years old; were singing in
drunken discord, lying in the arms of two men. Sitting at the next
table was a young woman with her skirts up to her knees talking to the
young men who were sitting next to her. She pounded the table with
beer bottles to emphasize her remarks, and to attract the attention of
other men in the bar room. In fact the whole boat seemed filled with
intoxicated boys and girls.
Some of the state rooms were occupied by boys and others by girls.
In state room No. 50 there were two boys in bathing suits, and two
girls in kimonos, lying in each others arms; anyone passing could have
seen them as the door was open most of the time. Room No. 64 was
occupied by two boys and two girls; all appeared under the age of
twenty. They were lying in each others arms, and at least three dozen
empty beer bottles were on the floor and wash stand.
Two girls and two boys were standing in front of state room No. 20.
One of the girls refused to enter saying, "I ain't no saint, but I can't
do anything like that." Later her companions succeeded in persuading
her to enter the room and they did not come out during the entire
trip.
For a while investigator stood in front of state room No. 71 and
watched a young girl who was in the room with four young boys.
One of the boys was very much intoxicated and every time his com-
panions tried to make him stand on his feet he would throw himself
back in the berth. This young boy could not have been over eighteen
years old.
Returning from South Haven July 3rd at 6:00 P. M. the condi-
tions were very bad. Just before the boat left the dock four couples
came up the companion way, all under the influence of liquor.
State room No. 74 was occupied by two girls and two young men;
one of the girls was standing in front of the dressing table with nothing
on except a dress skirt while the other called to a boy who happened
to pass.
218 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES.
One of the most serious problems in any large city is the practice
of certain employment agencies in sending young girls and women to
houses of prostitution, assignation flats and hotels as servants. Once
in these places, surrounded by indications of ease and excitement
these girls are not always able to withstand the temptation and soon
become regular inmates. This is true especially if they are of good
figure and attractive face.
The presence of such girls in a house, gives the madame an excellent
opportunity to persuade them to leave their life of drudgery, pointing
out to them the good clothes and easy work of the other inmates.
Thus a clear field for supplying their house with fresh girls is given
these keepers.
While the improvement in regard to the conduct of employment
agencies in Chicago has been marked, yet some of the agents are willing
to send females as servants to houses of a questionable character.
These agents appear to understand the law but they have peculiar
notions as to its interpretation.
For instance, some will send a girl to such a place if the applicant
is 30 years or over. Others will refuse to send a girl, and then in the
same breath ask if a colored girl will do. 1
EXISTING CONDITIONS.
The time has been too limited to go into a thorough investigation of
employment agencies.
The investigators, one elderly woman with a young lady assistant,
were able to visit 28 employment agents who advertise in a public
way. Of this number, thirteen agreed to send servants to a supposed
immoral place. In each case the agent was given to understand that
this was the character of the place.
The following gives in detail the thirteen employment agents in
different sections of the city who agreed to the proposition. In no
case would they accept a fee, saying that would be collected when the
girl actually began work.
Tor text of law, see Appendix XXV.
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 219
NORTH AND NORTHWEST SIDES.
November 4, Mrs. (X1051), (X1052), (X1052a) avenue. Thought
she would have one by Monday who would go to a sporting house
to work. "Some of them liked to."
October 31, (X1053), (X1054) (X1054a) avenue. This woman
advertised in the September 14, 1910, issue of a Chicago paper pub-
lished in a foreign language. Mrs. (X1054) agreed to send a girl the
next day. The fee was $1.00 and was to be paid when the girl came
to the supposed sporting house.
November 1, Mrs. (X1056), (X1057), (X1057a) avenue. Repre-
sentative of agent said she would not send a girl as the agency was
bonded, but would send a rvoman the next morning.
November 1. Reliable (X1058) agency, (X1059) (X1059a) street.
Mrs. (X1059), proprietor. Saw Mrs. (X1059), she promised to send
a second girl at $6.00 per week the next day. Said she knew what a
sporting house was.
SOUTH SIDE.
November 2, (X1062) Bureau, (X1063) (X1063a) avenue. Was
willing to send a colored servant to a sporting house. The law would
not allow her to send white help.
November 2, (X1064), (X1065) (X1065a) avenue. Agent said
it was against the law to send a girl to a sporting house. She had a
colored girl she could send. She did not like to give her business card
to investigator, but finally did, trusting to her not to say anything about
it. "Of course," she explained, "if she told the girl where she was
going, it would be all right."
November 2. Mrs. (X1066), X1067) (X1067a) street. A man in
the office said they could not send girls to sporting houses as it was
against the law. Then the woman, Mrs. (X1068), came in and told
him she could send a woman over 30. This woman was introduced, she
looked like a dope fiend. She said she had been in a house for three
years.
November 2. (X1069), (X1070) (X1070a) street. The woman,
Mrs. (X1071) said she could only furnish colored help as the
law did not allow employment agents to send a girl to a sporting
house.
SOUTHWEST SIDE.
October 31. (X1072), (X1073) (1073a) avenue. Agent said he
could not send a young girl to a sporting house, but would send a
woman 30 years old, the next day,
November 2. (X1074) office, (X1075) (X1075a) street. Agent
said the law would not allow him to send a girl to a sporting house.
Then asked if a married woman would do. Asked again if he could
depend on it that the woman would not be wanted for any other pur-
pose; if so he might have one to send later.
220 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
November 4. Mrs. (X1076), (X1077) (X1077a) avenue. Agent
said she might have a chambermaid on Saturday or Monday who would
like to work in a sporting house. "You do not want her for anything
else," she asked.
WEST SIDE.
November 5. (X1078), (X1079) (X1079a) avenue. Mrs. (X1080)
proprietor and manager. The woman said she thought they would
have one to send, but preferred to have investigators see her son. Re-
turned later but office was closed.
November 5. (X1081), (X1081) (XlOSla) street. Mrs. (X1082).
Invited investigators .to call Monday A. M. as she expected a gird in
who wanted to work in a quiet sporting house to see how it was run.
ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW. 1
The chief inspector of private employment agencies, says that in
1906 a vigorous effort was made to warn resort keepers not to secure
servants through the aid of employment agents. He feels that as a
result this practice has been abandoned. The Commission's limited in-
vestigation as outlined in these typical cases shows plainly that the
practice has not been abandoned.
During the year 1908 there were two prosecutions of an agent for
sending a woman as a servant to a house of questionable character;
one was the owner, the other the employe of the same agency.
In 1909 up to September 1, one agent was prosecuted for the same
offense and his license revoked. This man was a vaudeville agent
and had booked some girls to a questionable place of amusement.
During the year ending August 31, 1910, eight agents were prose-
cuted, but none for sending women as servants to immoral places.
From August 31st to November 10th, 1910, the date when above
information was secured, the chief inspector has instituted proceedings
against one agent for violation of Section 6 of the law. This case was
brought before the Commissioners of Labor who instructed the As-
sistant State's Attorney to prosecute the case, which is still pending.
One charge was brought before the Municipal Court which imposed
no sentence, the age of the defendant having some weight, as she was
quite an old lady and the women who had been sent to the place were
beyond middle life, and employed but a short period each as servants.
'Appendix XVIII.
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 221
It is the custom of inspectors employed by the department to warn
all agents and tell them to be very careful regarding the places where
females are sent, as no excuse for carelessness would be sufficient
to prevent prosecutions and revocations of their licenses.
A female inspector also speaks to the women conducting such
agencies, advising them not to succumb to temptations and asking them
to report if keepers of resorts approach them on the subject.
The department finds that there is a class of women who are anxious
to work as servants in these immoral places because the wages are
higher, the hours of service fewer, and they have opportunities of re-
ceiving cast off clothing that they do not find elsewhere. These servants
are willing to pay the agent higher fees than for legitimate places.
This is a great temptation to agents.
ADVERTISEMENTS ANNOUNCING THE TREATMENT AND CURE OF VENEREAL
DISEASES.
In spite of the penalties attached, the practice of advertising cures
and treatments of venereal diseases, both in newspapers and in toilets
of certain saloons is open and flagrant.
It is high time that determined efforts were made to eliminate from
the daily press these obnoxious and misleading advertisements. As an
eminent authority says in a recent article: "The statements of quacks
you read in the papers are all lies." In the foot note the writer refers
to a young man who has been arrested for stealing money. His excuse
was that he had been told that he was "losing his manhood" that the
"doctor" wanted $25.00 to cure him.
Sometimes these quacks offer to return the patient's money if he
is not cured. The guarantee they give is legal and binding but it is
a trap for the ignorant and helpless. The patient must give reasonable
proof that he was a victim of injurious habits before the treatment,
and that the treatment has not affected a cure.
When the money is demanded back, a blank is sent to be filled out
and returned. When this is done the money is to be refunded.
The blank the patient is asked to fill out is such that he will not
return it. It required him to get the signatures of his minister, one
of the principal business men in his community, his father or next
of kin, certifying that he had the habit before taking treatment and
222 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
that he still has it. All of this must be sworn before a notary and
witnesses. 1
Many young girls working in factories and stores have contracted
venereal diseases through clandestine prostitution. They see the ad-
vertisements of these quacks in the newspapers. The girl calls upon
the "doctor," who offers to cure her secretly for $50.00 or $75.00. She
is in despair, for these sums are far beyond her means. Cases have
actually come to light where such victims have deliberately entered upon
a life of professional prostitution to earn the money, and the doctors
knew it.
Many young men, ignorant and afraid, have awakened to the horri-
ble reality that they have contracted a disease. They eagerly scan the
pages of the papers for advertisements and read of their symptoms
and the awful consequences. They hurry to the "quack doctor" and
a large sum is demanded at once with a specific sum of one dollar
or two dollars for daily treatments and additional sums for drugs
to be purchased from friendly druggists. So for months they go
day after day and the bill grows larger and larger. They are now in
the power of these exploiters, and so the days are spent in worry and
scheming to raise the money and escape detection. Sometimes these
"quacks" use certain medicines which force a temporary relief, and
the patient feels that he is really cured. A few months later after
some unusual excitement caused by drink or sexual intercourse his
trouble returns and again he takes up the treatment from the same or a
different advertiser.
The methods of these "quacks," therefore, ought to be exposed, and
papers which print these advertisements ought to* be prosecuted along
with the advertisers.
EXISTING CONDITIONS.
Certain papers published in Chicago, both in English and foreign
languages, contain advertisements of physicians purporting to treat
and cure diseases of men. Some of these announcements describe in
detail certain symptoms which are recognized as the results of venereal
diseases.
'Pearsons Magazine, November, 1910, page 595.
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 223
Eight of these advertisements appeared in the November 8th issue
of the (X1083), five in the November llth issue of (X1084) and one
in the September 14th, 1910, issue of (X1085).
The majority of the announcements in English refer to urinary
troubles, the one in a paper published in a foreign language actually
mentions syphilis.
In many of the toilet rooms of saloons in the city, advertisements
of physicians purporting to cure men's diseases are tacked up on the
wall. In other instances the name of certain drugs for the treatment
of such cases are also in evidence. One of the most common is a
drug named (X1086). This is printed on tin and tacked to the wall
of these toilets. The sign contains the name of (X1086a) from whom
this nostrum can be purchased.
Another method employed to advertise this same drug is by the use
of small boxes of matches. The word (X1086) is printed in red
letters on the box, also the name of (X1086a) from whom it can be
purchased.
It would certainly appear that these advertisements come within the
statutes and ordinances. 1
THE PRACTICE OF ABORTION AND ITS RELATION TO THE SOCIAL EVIL.
Illinois is one of the very few states that have laws regulating the
practice of midwifery. 2
There is some doubt as to whether or not there is any connection
between the practice of abortion and the social evil. This connection,
if any exists, is much more difficult to establish than any of the recog-
nized causes. Everyone will agree, however, that any experience
which tends to undermine the moral sense of girls or young women
is dangerous and should be prevented. Incidents are on record where
girls who have had abortions performed have become reckless and
discouraged, and have actually entered upon a life of prostitution.
It has not been possible for the Commission to undertake a very
extensive investigation into this phase of the subject, but enough has
been done to establish the fact that such conditions exist in Chicago.
It has been unfortunate also that the time has been too limited to in-
vestigate certain suspicious physicians, also druggists who dispose of
Appendices XXIX, XXX.
'Appendices XXI-XXIa-XXIb.
224 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
abortion drugs and instruments over the counter, or through advertise-
ments in the papers.
The brief investigation was confined to a small number of midwives,
especially those who advertise in a public way.
Attention is first called to certain advertisements which appeared
in foreign papers, and in some papers published in the English
language.
An advertisement appeared in the (X1088) (foreign) on Septem-
ber 15, 1910. This announcement declared that a graduate midwife
would send invaluable information for girls and married women telling
them what and what not to do before and after marriage. "Thousands
are made happy by this knowledge. The reader must send four cents
in stamps."
This postage was sent by the Commission office to the address given
and in a few days two circulars in the Polish language were received.
One of these circulars again set forth the value of having the book
which would tell things "girls and married women should know." The
book, declares the advertiser, "is worth many dollars," but she "wants
to make everybody happy so she will send it for one dollar only."
The second circular, also published in the Polish language, is writ-
ten in indecent and vulgar language. Among other things the adver-
tiser describes a rubber instrument which is to be used to prevent con-
ception. 1
This is certainly a case for the Federal Government, as well as State
authorities to investigate and punish.
Two other advertisements appeared in many papers published in
English. They are worded, however, in such a way as to render prose-
cution difficult and practically impossible. Both of these advertise-
ments appeared in the (X1089) of Chicago (English) under date of
November 11, 1910.
Another advertisement is that of Dr. (X1090), (X1091) avenue, and
calls attention to the (X1092) College of Midwifery. The announce-
ment says that this college is incorporated under the laws of the
United States in the year 1891 and its diplomas are recognized all
over the United States.
'The translation of the matter sent through the mails by this advertiser is
full of vile and abhorrent information, It cannot be printed.
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 225
On November 21, 1910, investigator called at the address given in
the advertisement of the (X1092) College. Dr. (X1090) said that
the course for a diploma in midwifery would cost $100.00, with an
additional five dollars for a book. He further stated that the student
would have to pay $25.00 for an examination. This money was to be
given to him and he in turn would give it to the State Board of Health,
when he made the application for the examination. 1
The doctor said that the course usually took eight weeks to com-
plete. The practical part of the work is given by his wife, who takes
the student with her when she attends births. She is a midwife. When
the investigator left, the doctor gave her his business card and one
other card which contained practically the same information that ap-
peared in the advertisement.
TYPICAL CASES.
During the period of this investigation twenty midwives were visited.
Of this number, six absolutely refused to perform abortion, one was
not at home, and two said they would not do the operation, but re-
ferred investigators to midwives who would do so. The remaining
twelve agreed to perform the supposed abortion for different sums of
money. One woman (X1095), it was learned from court records,
was arrested twice during 1908-09 on the charge of committing abor-
tions, but her cases were dismissed, probably for lack of proper evi-
dence which is difficult to secure.
The following are typical instances:
November 8. Miss (X1096), (X1097) (X1097a) street. Four
young women were waiting for abortion operations. Charge for service
$10.00. The method required two treatments. Miss (X1096) is a
German; speaks very broken English. In personal appearance she
is dirty and queer. She lives in a basement, which appeared to be
insanitary. From her conversation she is an old offender.
November 10. Mrs. (X1099), (X1100) (XllOOa) street. Offered
to perform an abortion for $50.00. Uses drugs. She said the patient
could stay with her so she could watch the case. Her home was clean.
November 10. Mrs. (X1101), (X1102) (X1102a) avenue. This
midwife would not perform the abortion herself, but agreed to send
the supposed patient to another midwife who would. This other
woman worked with a doctor. Mrs. (X1101) would not give the name
of this midwife or the doctor until she herself had examined the case.
The price would not be less than $50.00.
'Section 5 of the law states that the examination fee for the practice of mid-
wifery is five dollars, and three dollars for a certificate if one is issued. See
Appendix XXI.
226 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
November 12. Mrs. (X1104), (1104a) (1104b) street. The sup-
posed patient said she was unmarried. The midwife then agreed to
perform the abortion for $25.00, but the patient must stay with her.
After arguing about the price, she dropped to $20.00 and $1.00 for
visits. She said it was "a great risk as the law was after them."
November 12. Mrs. (X1105), (XllOSa) (X1105b) street. The
woman was dirty, and the room dark and dismal. The supposed patient
said she was not married. Mrs. (X1105) agreed to perform the oper-
ation for $15.00.
November 12. (X1107), (X1108) (XllOSa) street. Formerly at
(X1109). She agreed to perform the abortion for $25.00 but finally
came down to $20.00. Said the patient would have to stay with
her for two or three days. The midwife said she had a patient in
the house and another one who had just had an operation was in the
next room.
November 14. Mrs. (X1110), (X1112) (X1112a) street. She said
she would not perform the abortion but said that a Mrs (X1113)
on (X1114) near (X1115) street would do it.
November 14. Mrs. (X1116), (XlllGa) (XlllGb) street. She
said she would perform the abortion if she felt the patient was on "the
square," or had been sent by some one she knew. She had to be
careful as detectives were sent out from the City Hall to try the mid-
wives.
November 14. (X1117), (X1118) (XlllSa) street. She was
afraid to deal with strangers as the people at the City Hall watched
them. If she could feel sure there would be no trouble she would per-
form the abortion for $30.00. The patient would have to stay with
her for two or three days. The flat appeared to be clean.
November 17. Mrs. (X1119), (X1120) (X1120a) avenue. She
was afraid at first that the supposed patient had been sent out from
the City Hall. "Of course," she said, "it is against the law, but we all
do it, if any detective came to her home she would put him out
of the door quick."
Mrs. (X1119) then agreed to perform the abortion for $40.00 if
she had to take her into the house. She worked with a doctor, to
whom she gave $10.00. She said that she has a good many young
girls coming to her.
November 17. Mrs. (X1121), (X1122) (X1122a) avenue. As the
investigators entered two young girls who had had treatments were
leaving the house. Mrs. (X1121) then said she would perform the
abortion for $30.00. She declared that a great many girls seventeen
and eighteen years of age came to her, and she was very busy all the
time.
November 19. Mrs. (X1123), (X1124) (X1124a) street. Offered
to sell pills -for $5.00, and if they did not work would give another
treatment for $25.00. She remarked that the "girls were not to
blame."
November 22. Mrs. (X1125), (X1126) (X1126a) avenue. She
agreed to perform the abortion for $20.00.
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 227
November 23. Mrs. (X1127), (X1128) (X1128a) street. Offered
to perform the abortion for $25.00, but the patient would have to stay
with her. During the interview, the midwife said if these abortions
were not performed there would be a lot of babies in the streets. She
believed in helping the girls for they were grateful and would not tell
on her. If a doctor did it he would charge $75. OO. 1
INVESTIGATIONS OF THE IMMIGRANTS PROTECTIVE LEAGUE OF CHICAGO
ON THE RELATION, OF IMMIGRANT WOMEN AND COLONIES OF FOREIGN
LABORING MEN IN CONSTRUCTION CAMPS, LODGING HOUSES IN CITIES,
AND ELSEWHERE.
The investigation of the United States Immigration Commission
into the relation of the immigrant woman to the social evil showed
that very few prostitutes are brought into the United States. The
great majority of young immigrant women who were found in resorts
were virtuous when they came here, and were ruined because there
was not adequate protection and assistance given them after thy
reached the United States. Such protection is especially needed on
the journey to Chicago, and in the location of her relatives and friends,
because of her ignorance of English and the country, a girl may
through her own mistake or the carelessness of railroad officials be
left at the wrong station or persuaded by some unscrupulous person
to get off and see some town en route. Some few immoral women
and men doubtless give false declarations at ports of entry and wel-
come the opportunities which the journey from New York to Chicago
offers. Federal inspectors on the trains, some of them women and
all of them able to speak to the immigrant in his own language, could
make it easy for the girl who wants to reach her relatives and friends
to do so, and difficult for those who have entered the country by fraud
and misrepresentation to accomplish their purpose. The delivery of
immigrant women upon their arrival in Chicago also needs supervision.
At present they are turned over to private expressmen and cabmen
and as a result because of incorrect addresses and the carelessness or
vicious intent of the drivers the Immigrants' Protective League finds
that a good many girls do not find their relatives and friends in Chi-
cago. These girls are nearly all from the country districts of eastern
midwife was arrested twice in 1908-09 on the charge of abortion. Both-
cases were dismissed.
228 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
Europe and are therefore peculiarly helpless in such a situation. Better
policing of the railroad stations which would keep runners from cheap
and disreputable hotels from the neighborhood of the immigrant wait-
ing rooms, more supervision of express and cabmen might do some-
thing but the situation can be properly handled only by the establish-
ment of the Federal Protective Bureau under the Immigration Depart-
ment which would have full authority to detain the immigrants and
regulate their release in Chicago.
Chicago is a great labor market from which thousands of foreign
men ship out in groups of 30 or more to work on the railroads and
canals that are being built all over the country. These men are young,
between 20 and 30 generally, they are the pioneers of their race, and
have come in advance of their families, most of them are without friends
or connections of any sort. They spend their summers in railroad
camps in complete isolation from all normal social contact. The camps
are usually most insanitary, the food poor, the work hard and mo-
notonous. In all these camps there are usually some American work-
men who have become diseased and demoralized by this unnatural
life. From them the others are unprotected and the Bulgarians, the
Greeks and the Poles who come to us in good physical conidtion and
with decent habits contract disease and learn unnatural practices. It
would seem most important that a careful study should be made of
these camps in order that some practical scheme of inspection and
supervision should be worked out for the protection of the men and
the community to which they return. For these men return by the
thousands to spend the winter in Chicago. Here they are also isolated
and of necessity live together in large groups in neighborhoods where
they are exposed to vice. The public should realized that unless some
effort is made to reach these groups of foreign men and furnish them
with proper social contact they will not only lose their own health
and virtue, but become a menace to the community.
INQUIRY INTO THE SUBNORMAL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CONDITION OF
JUVENILE AND OTHER DELINQUENTS, BOTH MALE AND FEMALE.
The superintendent of a large State school for delinquent girls re-
ports a large proportion of them to be the children of alcoholic degen-
erates, who in addition are infected with venereal disease. From chil-
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 229
dren with such an heredity, it is claimed many criminals are reared.
"If children of this class could be examined by an expert psychologist,
and cared for in early life, as they should be, the larger number of
them would never reach the jails and penitentiaries." The superin-
tendent emphatically asserts that "the girls who come to us, possessed
of normal brain power, or not infected with venereal disease, we look
upon as a prize indeed, and we seldom fail to make a woman worth
while of a really normal girl, whatever her environment has been.
But we have failed in numberless cases, where the environment has
been all right, but the girl was born wrong. Normal girls, who have
drifted into houses of ill-fame, can be saved, for they will help the
work of saving themselves, and when once they understand, the work
is well under way. For moral inbeciles there will be little else than
forcible restraint that will keep them right."
Inquiries into the subnormal condition of boys and young men
in certain State institutions, although not yet considered to be suf-
ficiently scientific to be trustworthy, yet indicate that while feeble-
mindedness decreased the strength of the sexual instinct with that of
other capacities, the weakness of will and judgment lays these de-
fectives open to temptation and exploitation.
SUMMARY OF CONDITIONS INVOLVED IN PERSONAL HISTORIES, AND IN-
VESTIGATED RECORDS, SUGGESTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OFFERED
BY THE COMMISSION.
(a) Home Conditions.
In a large proportion of the 2,420 cases under review, the home
conditions have contributed to, if they have not caused, the downfall
of the daughters or wives. The perversion of natural sex relationships
by incest, by immorality of the mother or guardian, or by the evil
example of a brother, sister, or other relative, and by the abuse of the
marriage relation in prostituting the wife by and for the benefit of
the husband, is the specific source of the ruin of many of these lives.
The failure of the parental relation by reason of divorce and deser-
tion, and, in some instances, by the excessive demands upon the mother
by the care of a large household without sufficient income or help, is
also the occasion for many neglected children going astray. The lack
of home instruction in the use and abuse of sex organs and relation-
230 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
ships, together with a neglect to safeguard the leisure time, especially
in the evening, and the failure to supervise the reading and the asso-
ciation of the children, account for much of their demoralization.
(b) Economic Conditions.
Among the ecomonic conditions contributory to the social evil are
low wages, insanitary conditions, demoralizing relationships in stores,
shops, domestic service, restaurants and hotels; the street vending of
children in selling papers and gum, collecting coupons and refuse;
the messenger service of boys, especially in the vicinity of disorderly
houses, vicious saloons, dance halls and other demoralizing resorts;
employment agencies, which send servants to immoral places; the rest
rooms or waiting places where applicants for work resort; too long
hours and the high pressure of work ; the overcrowding of houses upon
lots, of families in the house, and of persons in single rooms.
(c) Recreational Conditions.
Among the recreational conditions directly tributary to the increase
of the victims of vice, are the privately managed amusement parks;
dance halls, where bar permits are granted, or which are in the
vicinity of saloons; candy, ice cream and fruit stores used as pleasure
resorts; immoral shows, theater plays and moving pictures; saloons
where music, vaudeville performances, and other recreational attrac-
tions are accessory to the drink habit; drug stores, where gambling
devices and the selling of cocaine and other drugs are accessories.
(d) Procuring.
The supply of victims of the social vice, both female and male, is
increased and perpetuated far beyond the number whose vicious in-
clinations lead them astray, by the direct, persistent, often concerted
efforts of procurers. They include both men and women, bartenders,
waiters in saloons and restaurants, managers and employes in theaters,
nickel shows, penny picture arcades, employers, floor walkers and in-
spectors in stores and shops, keepers of employment offices, hackmen,
expressmen and runners at railway stations and boat landings, mid-
wives and doctors, fortune tellers, cadets, keepers and attendants in
dance halls, private recreation parks, assignation houses, hotels and
flats, call houses, disorderly saloons, and houses of prostitution.
They work through advertisements in newspapers published in for-
eign languages as well as in English, rest rooms in departmment stores
SOURCES OF SUPPLY 231
and even at the counters in certain departments ; at theaters, especially
on amateur nights; at employment agencies including those connected
with mercantile and industrial establishments and in many other ways.
The general delivery of the post office is both used and watched as a
secret and safe way of spotting, inveighling and trapping young girls.
(e) The inquiry in Chicago regarding white slavery, or the in-
voluntary participation in the social vice, for the profit of exploiters,
reaches conclusions similar to those of the Research Committee of the
Committee of Fourteen in New York City, and to those presented by
the additional Grand Jury for the January term of the Court of Gen-
eral Session of the County of New York, "in the Matter of the In-
vestigation as to the Alleged Existence in the County of New York
of an Organized Traffic in Women for Immoral Purposes."
The findings of the Grand Jury include the following:
"It appears from indictments found by us and from the testimony
of witnesses that a trafficking in the bodies of women does exist, and
is carried on by individuals, acting for their own individual benefit,
and that these persons are known to each other, and are more or less
informally associated. We have also found that associations and clubs,
composed mainly or wholly of those profiting from vice, have existed,
and that one such association still exists. These associations and clubs,
are analogous to commercial bodies in other fields, which, while not
directly engaged in commerce, are composed of individuals all of whom
as individuals are so engaged."
The Committee of Fourteen, through its Research Committee,
charged with the study of Law Enforcement against the Social Evil
in New York City, report on this point as follows:
"Some of the profit sharers must be dispensed with through the
force of public opinion or by means of heavy penalties, before
the growth of vice can be checked. These include those who
profit off the place the landlord, agent, janitor, amusement dealer,
brewer, and furniture dealer; those who profit off the act the
keeper, procurer, druggist, physician, midwife, police officer, and
politician ; those who profit off the children employers, procurers,
and public service corporations ; those who deal in the futures of
vice publishers, manufacturers and vendors of vicious pictures
and articles; those who exploit the unemployed the employment
agent and employers ; a group of no less than nineteen middlemen,
who are profit-sharers in vice."
232 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
Facts, such as these and many more, proving the international traffic
and interstate trade in women and girls for immoral purposes, are
abundantly substantiated in the report on the White Slave Traffic
rendered to the House of Representatives by the Committee on Inter-
State and Foreign Commerce on December 21, 1909 (report No. 47),
and by the records of the United States Circuit and District Courts
for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division.
(f) The lack of authentic information regarding the relation be-
tween subnormality and sexual delinquency suggests recommendations
to be found elsewhere. 1
(g) The lack of information, education and training with refer-
ence to the function and control of the sexual instinct, and the conse-
quences of its abuse and perversion, appears at every point of our
inquiry for the sources of the supply of the victims of vice, either as
the cause of the perversion of children and youth or as a complication
of all other causes. This conclusion is abundantly substantiated by
Prof. Charles Richmond Henderson's discussion of "Education with
Reference to Sex Pathological, Economic and Social Aspects," in the
Eighth Yearbook of the National Society for the Scientific Study of
Education. The necessity for giving information, the paths of approach
in formal instruction to be given to the young child, at the age of
puberty, in the adolescent period, to adults about the time of mar-
riage, and to parents, together with the difficulties encountered, the
need to train teachers, and the value of making such instruction a part
of the general education of the child instead of a separate and formal
branch of instruction, are frankly and fully discussed in this valuable
monograph.
For recommendations by the Commission on above subjects see
page 55.
'See page 60, Recommendations.
Chapter V.
Child Protection and
Education.
CHAPTER V.
CHILD PROTECTION AND EDUCATION.
The problem of social vice cannot be solved by any short and sure
method. The efforts to protect children from evil influence require
the consideration of many problems. The greatest influence in the
child's life is religion. We may educate the child and improve his
economic condition, but without a moral instinct he will not be a
moral child. Another great factor in immorality is the taint of heredity.
For this there can be but one solution the growth in righteousness and
the overcoming of the immoral instinct through religious conviction, and
passing to the future generation a pure mind and a clean heart.
Five factors enter into the moulding of a child's character the
church, the home, the school, social environment, and the amusements
which it employs during its leisure hours.
Children of all ages need guidance and protection. While many
children develop into useful citizens in spite of evil surroundings, a
few eventually become a menace to society in spite of every effort
in their behalf. Next to a religious influence, the rule still holds that
a good home, a good education and environment, healthful employment
and recreation under moral conditions, are very much to be desired,
and it is a great misfortune when these have not been given. Immoral
influences are frequently thrust upon children through the pernicious
activities of immoral people, and because of lack of protection, proper
instructions or guidance from those who should have the child's wel-
fare at heart.
The problem of the care of children in the school is not within the
scope of this report, except in so far as schools are affected by vice
districts in their neighborhood, or by immoral children or adults in
or near them, or by the dangers from children who' may be afflicted
with disease. To protect children from these dangers all possible
means should be adopted.
Education alone has seldom protected either children or grown
people, except in a limited way, unless a moral character is developed
235
THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
along with the instruction. However, for those who have moral char-
acter, or those in whom it can be developed, a proper education will
enable them to avoid or protect themselves from what is wrong, and
help them to choose those things which make for health and right
living.
Investigation into city conditions shows that it is often difficult and
sometimes impossible to protect children and young people from the
activities of vicious people. Harm sometimes comes from a misunder-
standing of their own physical and emotional life. Each young person
should know how and what to avoid, to understand the meaning of
improper advances. In order to know what is needed for the pro-
tection of young people the dangers to which they are subjected must
be pointed out.
According to the law all persons under the age of twenty-one years
are considered wards of the State of Illinois, and their persons are
subject to the care, guardianship and control of the courts, provided,
however, that guardianship of the child be had by the court before
child has reached eighteen years. For the purpose of this report then,
it is understood that this study refers to the protection of all children
rvhatever their age, and education of all young persons between the
age of puberty and the age of majority.
It should be borne in mind that the immoral influences and dangers
which surround children and young people affect them to a greater
or less degree according to their ages. For instance, if the child is
quite young, these evil impressions may become fixed and have a
marked influence throughout its whole life, or these evil impressions
may be counteracted by wise methods, if administered in time. After
the age of puberty these influences become grave and often result in
the immediate downfall of the child. This downfall becomes perma-
nent unless heroic measures are taken to save him. 1
The following report, therefore, points out the immoral influences
surrounding children of all ages.
*For text of laws and ordinances, see appendices XVIII. XX. XXII, XXIII,
XXIV, XXV, XXXI, XXXVIII.
CHILD PROTECTION AND EDUCATION 237
IMMORAL INFLUENCES AND DANGERS.
/. Children in Vicinity of Vice Districts. It is a notorious fact
that many children of all ages are compelled by poverty or circum-
stances to live within or in close proximity to the restricted districts
in Chicago. Because of this these children are subjected to great
moral dangers. They become familiar with scenes of debauchery and
drunkenness until they are careless and indifferent. Their moral stand-
ards are lowered to such an extent that it is difficult to fill their minds
with wholesome thoughts and high ideals. In addition to the presence
of prostitutes near their homes, the children are in danger from vicious
men and boys who frequent such districts.
According to the school census taken in 1910, there were 3,931
children under twenty-one years of age in the First Ward. Of this
number, 1,246 were under four years of age, 259 from four to five, 216
from five to six, 257 from six to seven, 1,124 from seven to fourteen,
313 from fourteen to sixteen, and 513 over sixteen and under twenty-
one.
The principal restricted district in the City of Chicago is located in
the southern part of the First Ward. Within the boundaries of this
district there are 298 children of all ages from babies in arms to those
twenty years of age.
Sixty-seven of these children live in a row of houses on South
Clark street, one block in length. The rear of these houses overlooks
the rear rooms of a row of houses of prostitution with front entrances
on the next street. The houses are dilapidated tenements and are
used by the families on account of the cheap rent. The majority of
these are children of foreign parents. The ages of these children
range from three months to seventeen years.
It is asserted that these families may witness scenes of depravity
through the windows of their houses, and that the children are in great
moral danger from the intimate association with vice.
Some of the children within these boundaries are living in close prox-
imity to houses of prostitution and saloons frequented by prostitutes.
For instance, nine children, from one to nineteen years of age live
at (X1129) State street. There is a notorious saloon at (X1130)
State, a few doors away.
Twenty-four children live on State street from (X1131) to (X1132)
238 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
near disreputable saloons, and only one block away from the notorious
houses on Dearborn street.
18th Ward. According to the school census for 1910 there were
4,364 children in the 18th Ward. Of this number, 1,032 were under
four, 84 from four to five, 98 from five to six, 87 from six to
seven, 1,518 from seven to fourteen, 330 from fourteen to sixteen
and 1,215 over sixteen and under twenty-one.
Within the boundaries of the restricted district in this district there
are 433 children from babies in arms to twenty-one years of age. Of
these, 154 live on the boundaries.
The children living within these boundaries are in close proximity
to houses of prostitution and disorderly saloons.
The Commission has a record of a prostitute on Randolph street
soliciting two boys in knee pants to enter and offering as an induce-
ment "two for a quarter."
One day a man was solicited by a prostitute standing on the porch
of her home in one of the restricted districts while a number of young
boys were playing in the street in front of this house.
The following history of a tenement family near the 22nd street dis-
trict is a case in point:
A skilled mechanic had a wife and four children (one boy and three
girls). The children were well cared for and went to Sunday school
as long as the mother lived. The father drank some but seemed to
take good care of his family, and his wages were frequently as high
as $4.50 a day. When the oldest girl was eleven the mother died.
The father continued to care for his family, and, while he drank, it
did not seem to be a case where the courts should take the children
away from him. The boy was killed while playing in the street. The
girls took care of the house, but the denizens of the restricted district
made the acquaintance of the children as they went to neighborhood
stores or when they were on the street. As fast as each little girl was
old enough she was enticed into the vice district and. in time all be-
came public prostitutes.
II. Prostitution in Residential Sections. The investigation of ex-
isting conditions in Chicago proves conclusively that there are many
immoral women living in flats and furnished rooms all over the city
in residential sections. Here again children of the neighborhood come
CHILD PROTECTION AND EDUCATION 239
to know the character of the women and instances have come to light
where they have actually been enticed into their homes. The children
run errands for these women and receive presents of candy and fruit
in return for such services. In one particular instance a woman so-
licited from the doorway of a house while a child was playing on
the porch.
Special reference should be made here to the colored children who
are compelled to live in one of the colored communities on South
State street just outside the boundaries of the restricted district on
the South Side.
It is said there are 173 saloons in this community, many of which are
given over to gambling and are frequented by immoral women and
vicious men. In this neighborhood there are a great many flats and
assignation rooms occupied by prostitutes.
Many colored and white children live among these immoral and
degrading conditions.
As these young colored girls reach maturity they easily fall a prey
to prostitution. Many of them are employed in houses and flats of
prostitution where they act as maids, cooks and attendants. 1
///. Disorderly Saloons and Schools. There are a number of sa-
loons in the city frequented by dissolute and vicious men and immoral
women in close proximity to school houses. One school property in
particular on the North Side adjoins the lot on which a disorderly
saloon building is located.
The rooms over the saloon are used for immoral purposes, and the
school authorities testify that the children may see into these rooms
from the school windows and from the playgrounds. 2
IV. Disorderly Saloons and Children. In addition to the proximity
of schools to disorderly saloons, the investigation shows that very
young boys are allowed to frequent disorderly saloons. The follow-
ing cases are typical :
A boy about ten years of age named Jimmie has frequently been
seen selling gum after 12:00 o'clock at night in disreputable saloons
on South Halsted and West Madison streets.
One evening a boy about' fifteen years of age was loitering about
the rear room of a disorderly saloon on Chicago avenue.
'See Chapter IV, "Sources of Supply," page 218.
'This is the same saloon referred to in Chapter III, page 138.
240 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
A girl who said she was seventeen years of age, and appeared to
be, was singing in this saloon.
A small colored boy, who the bartender said was only fourteen years
of age, was playing the violin in another disorderly saloon.
One afternoon investigator saw two very young boys, one selling
newspapers, the other blacking the shoes of the piano player in the
rear room of a disreputable saloon on West Madison street. There
were four prostitutes in this room at the same time who were soliciting
men to go to rooms over the saloon.
This is a condition which should be remedied, even if the State has
to step in and provide homes for such children.
V. Vicious and Degenerate Men. The court records show that
vicious and degenerate men seek out young boys and girls and fill their
minds with filthy and obscene suggestions and teach them lewd and un-
natural practices. Some of these men frequent the neighborhood
of school houses and distribute obscene cards and literature. They go
to public parks and take liberties with innocent children. Some of these
men are afflicted with chronic venereal diseases, and have a super-
stitution that they can be cured of their trouble by transferring it to a
virgin. Many prostitutes have this same belief. As a result, innocent
children both boys and girls, have been contaminated.
Within a period of two weeks the courts tried three men on the
charge of perverting the morals of young girls. One offender was
seventy-five years of age. He was found guilty of trying to seduce ten
or twelve girls between the ages or eight and twelve. One man was
in the habit of loitering about the (X1137) school on the South Side.
He drew obscene pictures which he gave to little girls who went to
the school. He also offered them money and had ruined four or five
girls before he was indicted.
One man named (X1138) ruined a little girl near the (X1139)
school and gave her a reprehensible disease. The facts brought out
at the trial so inflamed the jury that after being out a few minutes
they returned a verdict of ninety-nine years.
Another person named (X1140) was called the "doll man" because
he gave dolls to young girls to whom he was attracted.
Recently a graduate of (X1141) University, a member of a leading
social club on the (X1142) side was apprehended. He had a habit
of riding a bicycle in the public parks and persuading young girls
to go into the park with him. It was proved that he had ruined seven
CHILD PROTECTION AND EDUCATION 241
of these girls, all under fourteen years of age. This man also photo-
graphed his victims and a number of these pictures were seized when
he was arrested. One was a little girl not over ten years of age.
Many such cases are available, but most of the details are too re-
volting to print. The public should be aroused in behalf of better
protection of children from such dangers.
VI, Venereal Disease Among Children. One of the saddest aspects
of the whole problem of the social evil is the fact that hundreds of
innocent children have become infected by venereal diseases.
During a period of twenty-seven months 600 children under twelve
years of age have passed through the venereal ward of the Cook
County Hospital. Sixty per cent, of the children had been innocently
infected, twenty per cent, inherited the disease, and twenty-five per
cent, had been assaulted by diseased persons. About fifteen per cent,
had syphilis and eighty-five per cent, had gonorrhoea.
At one time there was an epidemic of gonorrhoea among little girls
in the contagious ward of the County Hospital. Eighty-six cases of
this dreadful disease were brought in by fifteen children. The dread-
ful results of venereal diseases among children are almost beyond
belief.
ECONOMIC AND HOME CONDITIONS AFFECTING CHILDREN AND YOUNG
PEOPLE.
The economic and home conditions under which children and young
people are compelled to work and live present many phases of danger
to their moral well being.
/. Newsboys. Small boys are selling papers in and about the re-
stricted district, especially on the South Side. On Saturday night,
August 27th, investigator counted twenty newsboys from eleven to
apparently twenty years of age selling papers at 12:00 o'clock and
afterward. While the majority of the boys were over seventeen, quite
a number were much younger.
Photographs were secured of four of these newsboys. 1 One of these
boys was rescued and it was found that he had no home nor anyone
to look after him.
Exhibits A, B, C.
242 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
//. Street Vendors. In addition to the newsboys selling papers late
at night in the vicinity of restricted districts, there are many little
boys and girls engaged in selling gum near disorderly and suspicious
cafes and saloons where prostitutes were soliciting. The following are
examples :
On October 8th between 7:30 and 8:30 P. M., investigator saw six
boys on Wabash avenue between (X1143) and (X1144) all apparently
under the age of fourteen. These boys were selling gum. At 10:45
P. M. on this same date, the same boys were still selling gum in this
vicinity. In addition, three boys, two of whom appeared to be fifteen
or sixteen years of age, and one about ten, were selling morning
papers. At 11 :10 P. M. these same boys were in this vicinity.
After 12 :00 A. M. investigator visited the 22nd street restricted
district and saw several small boys, both white and colored, selling
Sunday papers on 22nd street. These boys were not older than
fifteen.
10 :50 P. M. Three boys, none of whom appeared to be over fifteen,
and two wearing knockerbockers came out of a museum of anatomy
at (X1150) South State street
9 :25 P. M. Saw two girls of about eleven in company of small boy
about eight selling gum at the corner of (X1157) and Harrison. The
(X1158) Cafe.
9:40 P. M. On State street in front of (X1163) Museum, No.
(X1164), boy of about fourteen selling gum on corner of Van Buren
and (X1165), southwest corner, another boy of fourteen in company
with three older boys.
11:10 P. M. One boy on 22nd street near (X1170) avenue. Did
not appear to be sellng anything.
October 26th. Investigator saw several boys from seven to fifteen
years of age selling gum and papers on the street, and in the rear
rooms of saloons on the West Side. The following are some of the
saloons where boys of this age were seen: The (X1171) Cafe,
(X1172) South Halsted street. (X1173) saloon, (X1174) South
Halsted street. (X1175), (X1176) South Halsted street. One boy
about ten was heard to use vulgar and obscene language to a man
who spoke to him.
///. Messenger Boys. The (X1177) Telegraph Company occupies
an office at (X1178), which is their nearest branch office to one of the
restricted districts. There are about eight messenger boys employed
here, ranging from fifteen to eighteen years of age. The majority of
these boys are colored. These messengers are called upon to work at all
hours of the day and night. As part of their duties they answer calls
from prostitutes, to purchase lunch at nearby restaurants, or to go drug
stores to purchase drugs and various articles. In this way the mes-
CHILD PROTECTION AND EDUCATION 243
senger becomes an important link in the system whereby cocaine and
various other drugs used by habitues are secured by them. A few
instances illustrating this fact are as follows:
(X1179), colored, who lives at (X1180) avenue, messenger No.
(X1181), works from 12:00 A. M. (midnight) to 10:00 A. M., was
called about September 1st by a prostitute known as (X1182) who
occupies room (X1183) of the (X1184), a house of prostitution
located at (X1185) Dearborn street, and was sent to a drug store
owned by (X1186), (X1187) street, where he purchased a small pack-
age of cocaine hydrochloride, which was wrapped and sealed with
sealing wax. He paid $5.78 for this package and was given $1.00 by
prostitute as a tip for his service. Messenger (X1170) repeated
this errand about the middle of September and in addition purchased
a hypodermic needle for said (X1189) which she attempted to place
upon the syringe she had. The needle did not fit and he was then
asked to return same, and secure another, which he did, the needle
fitting this time. He was charged $2.00 for this needle, the cost of
the needle to the druggist being nineteen cents. About one week
after this incident he was again called by (X1190) and was sent on a
different errand, being told she had discontinued the use of mes-
senger boys for the purchase of "dope" as she remarked, "They talked
too much and cannot be trusted." She further said that she was now
having a newsboy, who sells papers at the immediate corner, purchase
the cocaine for her.
Another instance which occurred during the month of October:
This same messenger was called by madame (X1191) who lives in
an apartment building at the corner of (X1192) and (X1193) avenue,
and is the proprietor of a house of prostitution called by her own
name and sometimes known as (X1194), located at (X1195) Dearborn
street. She is also the owner of other property in the restricted dis-
trict. Madame (X1191) is in the habit of calling up Mr. (X1197)
and ordering a certain quantity of cocaine, who in turn calls this mes-
senger boy and sends it out to her residence. This messenger at
one time, opened one of the packages, and suspecting it was cocaine,
sniffed some of the stuff himself, and proved conclusively thereby
that it actually was cocaine. He stated that he had done this a con-
siderable number of times since and seemed to have derived a good
deal of pleasure out of it.
A man whose name this messenger has forgotten, but who lives
on the second floor of the building at the corner of (X1191a) street
and (X1158) avenue, sends him about three times a month to a place
owned and operated by a Chinaman at (XI 199) South Clark street,
where he secures a package of opium, and for which he pays $4.00.
Upon returning from one of these trips, he watched this man open
the package and take a quantity of the stuff, which looked very much
like tar to him, and roll and heat it. At this point the messenger was
told to leave the room.
This messenger boy (X1200) is about seventeen years old and has
244 THE SOCIAL EVIL IN CHICAGO
been in the service of the (X1201) Company at this particular office
for over three years and makes an average of about $10.00 per week,
including tips. Mentally he is not very bright, rather undersized for
a boy of his age, and at present afflicted with syphilis of three months'
duration. 1
(X1202), No. (X1203) is a little boy of foreign parentage. He is
but fifteen years old and lives at (X1204) South State street. He
seems to take considerable pride in showing his knowledge of the
underworld. He told investigator confidentially that he has often
been stopped by policemen, as well as ordinary citizens, who inquire
his age, which he invariably says is eighteen. Recently he has been
called quite often to (X1205), house of prostitution, (X1206) Dear-
born street, where a prostitute whose name he has forgotten, gives him
a box with a note to Mr. (X1207). The box when filled costs $1.75.
Upon returning to the woman he tells her that he paid $2.50 for the
package, thus making seventy-five cents. She would then g 
