census basis of estimate there are approximately 400,000 families. Assuming that there are two males (one father and 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 inadequate 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 inmates 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 number. The men from other towns who come to Chicago "To see the sights." The man who is moral (apparently) in St. Louis or Cleveland 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 departments in Chicago, as well as in other large cities, comes from the outsidethe 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, 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 probable 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 catering 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 conservatism 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. In the Commission's consideration and investigation of the Social Evil, it found as the most conspicuous and important element in connection 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 interest 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 connection 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 companies 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 immediate and complete separation of the saloon and the Social Evil and that no house of assignation or prostitution or rooms above or adjacent 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 destruction of the moral character of men who frequent the saloon primarily 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 X1-X11-etc., being inserted.1 1For text of laws and ordinances regarding saloons see Appendices XIXII-XIII-XIV-XV-XVI. |