1910's Lifestyles and Social Trends | The Social Evil in Chicago

Report

By: The Vice Commission of Chicago

Date: 1911

Source: The Vice Commission of Chicago. The Social Evil in Chicago. Chicago: Gunthorp-Warren Printing Company, 1911, 25–27, 31, 45, 47.

About the Organization: A distinguished citizens' body formed to investigate crime and "social evil" in the city of Chicago in the early twentieth century.

Introduction

Much civic concern focused on prostitution, often dubbed the "world's oldest profession," during the early twentieth century. Aside from the usual moral questions raised by the practice, a growing awareness of public health issues, such as controlling the spread of venereal disease, helped fuel the debate. In addition, the size and scope of government expanded at all levels of American life during the Progressive era. The public was also increasingly willing to allow the state's police power to...