In most phases of life it is the little things that count. In the matter
of prostitution we have heard so much about the big things—the
inevitableness of it, because the man wants it, because the girl may
have more money than her pay-envelope brings her, and the necessity for
changing public opinion before any change in dealing with the situation
can become effective—that we have become well-nigh overwhelmed by the
magnitude of the evil. Yet, may we not expect shortly to gain public
approval for two small and difficult yet perfectly feasible changes of
method in handling the situation? These are my two suggestions:
1. When a house is raided, take all found in the house, women and men
and put their names on the police-blotter.
2. Then, examine these people for venereal disease. Restrain the
liberty of all the diseased, both women and men, till they are cured.
I am one of those heretics who are not particularly concerned with the
exact law covering the matter at the present time in any particular
place; it suffices me to know that not everywhere are these two
regulations in force; nor does declaring unconstitutional the ordinances
dealing with these things bother me. I am tremendously interested in
seeing that these ideas get across.
When the public has made these two suggestions part of its conviction of
the right way of doing things, then we will find the way to formulate
workable, constitutional regulations embodying these suggestions.
“They” tell us that it is an infringement of the liberty of the
individual when the women taken for soliciting or in houses are examined
for disease. Most certainly it is. And practically all the other laws on
our books curtail the liberty of the individual.
But, it is an infringement of the right of the community when men and
woman with venereal disease go about freely. The community is interested
in its own perpetuation. Therefore, it is interested that the
prospective and the actual husband shall be just as clean from disease
as the girl.
But, “they” say such handling of the situation does not meet the
economic objection; these suggestions do not even attempt to provide
more cash for the girl. Good, the suggestions do not solve the problem
for her; that is just the point. She must solve it for herself. That is
the only salvation worth having. Yet, not simply by herself and for
herself. She will probably fail, if she attempts it alone. But, joining
forces with other girls and working together, success will probably
follow and there will probably be a greater amount of cash in the
pay-envelope. That is worth most to the individual which is conquered
into the person, not received as gift.
Putting these suggestions into practice will diminish greatly the number
who “have to have it.” It will make sinning less popular.