Henry Baird Favill, AB, MD, LL.D., 1860-1916, a ... - University Library

592 HENRY BAIRD FAVILL
Printed, Survey, May 6, 191 1.
THE
REMARKS ON THE REPORT OF THE
VICE COMMISSION
printed report of the Chicago Vice Commission
is a remarkable document. Those who have been
aware of the activities of the commission are not surprised
at the thoroughness of the work described. To anyone
imfamihar with existing conditions this exposition must
be a tremendous shock. To set before the average citizen
in unequivocal terms and in detail unmistakably reliable
the facts of the underworld is
a task enormously difficult,
deeply instructive, and as a rule thoroughly distasteful to
the citizen.
All of these things pertain to this report.
There is more, however, to the work of this commission
The report sounds a clear,
than mere industry or insight.
courageous, and more or less hopeful note as to what to do.
It is, of course, obvious that the recommendations are not
uniformly clear as to desirability. There can be no question
that agitation, education, and the correction of public
sentiment are fundamental to considerable and lasting
reform. There can be many questions and differences of
opinion as to the recommendations of immediate procedure
intermediate between the present status and a future regeneration.
Nevertheless, the commission advises, positively,
steps of immediate procedure representing its judgment
as to what is
both feasible and effective.
In view of the uncommonly strong makeup of the commission,
these recommendations should be received with the
greatest respect. The tendency of men, in particular those
who have general knowledge of these subjects, is to shrug
their shoulders. The generalities as to what "always has
been and always will be," "human nature," and all that
line of talk which comfortably disposes of the whole matter