DANGEROUS AMUSEMENTS.
Without a moment's hesitation, I would say after much investigation, one curse of our land today is five-cent theaters. Many nights have I worked outside of these, and investigated inside, and have seen these pictures not possible to describe in words, and have seen children mere babies, of every age, flocking in and out of these theaters, many of them with older people or guardians with them, many entirely alone. More harm is done here in one night than could be undone in years.
Ice cream parlors of the city and fruit stores, in many cases combined, largely run by foreigners, are where scores of girls have taken their first step downward. Mr. Sims states that he believes the ice cream parlor even in the large country town is often a recruiting station and feeder for the white slave traffic.
Do not get the idea that we mean that all of these are connected with white slavery, but some of them are and wise parents should be careful on these points.
There are restaurants selling wines and liquors where many young girls go as waitresses, which hold dangers for any girl.
Also, let me say here a word in warning. Look out for the signs Satan is putting up all over our cities like this: "Ladies Entrance," "Family Entrance," which has been the "entrance" of many a precious girl to a life of sin.
The amusement parks are now becoming a serious menace to our young people. Shut up in a small room, hot and stifling, a girl gladly accepts the chance for an outing. All over these places Satan has his agents stationed, seeking victims.
Advertisements are another temptation in store for the country girl. It is in these days the devil's own invention, such alluring, attractive offers.
One girl told me she owed it to this that she was a "white slave." She said she saw an advertisement in the paper for experienced servants for $5.00 per week. She was only getting $3.50.
She went and found out to her sorrow after a few days that she was a prisoner in a house of shame.