Policeman on Prostitution

To reorganize its demoralized police department, Phoenix, Ariz, last March hired on a go-day contract Brig. General Pelham D. Glassford, onetime Washington, D. C. police chief, made famed by his tactful handling of the 1932 Bonus Army. Last week frank, efficient General Glassford finished his tour of duty, reported on his discoveries about Phoenix vice in an extraordinary letter to the city's officials, ministers and social service clubs. Excerpts :

"In smaller towns than Phoenix/- where everyone knows everyone else, the establishment of houses of prostitution is almost impossible; in cities larger than Phoenix the slums usually are segregated; in Phoenix the 'redlight' district is in the midst of reputable groceries and other business establishments.

"The practice of prostitution has been technically licensed by the police for a period .of many years. The women from the 'redlight' district are arraigned before the Magistrates Court once a month and invariably plead guilty. Those charged with being inmates of a house of prostitution pay a fine of $25, those charged with operating a house of prostitution pay $50. The city derives a revenue from this source of approximately $20,000 a year. . . .

"The advantages of the existing system are: that practically all prostitutes are known to the police and can be kept under supervision; the city derives a substantial revenue, and prostitution is kept out of the residential districts.

"The city surgeon states that there is a deplorable amount of venereal disease in the city and that numerous high-school students have contracted disease in the 'redlight' district, usually following a period of drinking in the neighboring taverns. He states, however, that disease contracted from the prostitutes is not nearly so frequent as from the 'pickups' who frequent the night clubs and dance halls where liquor is sold.

"This is because on the desert or in a parked automobile there is not the immediate opportunity for prophylactic treatment as is provided in the houses of prostitution. . . .

"Prostitution is as old as history. It is in violation of our .laws and ordinances. It cannot be eliminated by legislation nor by law enforcement.

"I AM CONVINCED THAT THE ONLY PRACTICAL SOLUTION IS LEGALIZED PROSTITUTION, UN DER RIGID POLICE AND HEALTH SUPERVISION."

/-Phoenix' population: 48,000.

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