Las Vegas City Commission Minutes, February 17, 1937 to August 4, 1942, lvc000004-442

25, 1941. "An alarming and costly outbreak of venereal diseases among service men is blamed on army and navy BRASS HATS in a book written by Surgeon General Thomas Parran of the United States Public Health Service, and just off the press. Parran advocates the complete suppression of prostitutes in military camps and defence areas, but declares that 80 per cent of army commanders favor the regulation of vice, notwithstanding an effort to bring it under control during the last war was a tragic failure.- Three months ago congress passed legislation making it possible to drive prostitutes away from the vicinity of camps, but Parran says no attempt at enforcement has been made. - Prior to Defense mobilization, Parran asserts, the commercial prostitute was barely breaking even with amateur and part-time competition. Suddenly the situation has been reversed. The vice rings saw a vast and profitable field of operation. -The recruitment of prostitutes has kept pace with the recruitment of the army. It is one of our most expanded war industries." I quote the following taken from December issue of Readers Digest Page 15. "Realistic army men have no illusions about abolishing prostitution overnight. The army estimates that 15 percent of its men are incorrigibles. Another 15 percent are abstainers, being married, engaged, fearful or disinterested. The remaining 70 percent are subject to occasional lapses; and the group the Army is particularly interested in protecting, Professional prostitutes are responsible for practically all venereal diseases." Nov. 21, 1941 a proposed ordinance relating to prostitution and regulation thereof was introduced for consideration and was approved for its first reading by a 3 to 2 vote. Mayor Garrison and myself voted in the negative on this occasion. My position at this time remains unchanged and will continue as such under the foregoing conditions and circumstances until and unless there may be substantial reason produced to justify a change. Respectfully submitted, December 16, 1941. Arthur F. Smith, Sr. His Honor read a wire from Sam H. Husbands, President Defense Plant Corporation, Washington, D. C, requesting information regarding facilities for an additional 2000 homes in Las Vegas. Commissioner Clark moved that the wire be answered giving Mr. Husbands the information requested, as follows; that water, electricity and gas are available and that application for a grant in the sum of $857,000.00 from the government for sewers is now pending. Motion seconded by Commissioner Tinch and carried by the following vote. Commissioners Smith, Tinch, Clark, Rubidoux and His Honor voting aye. Noes, none. Bids on police car were opened from the following firms: James Downs, Hogan and Westlake, A. Grant and McDaniel & Goodwin. Upon recommendation of the police commissioner, Commissioner Rubidoux moved that the bid of James Down be accepted. Motion seconded by Commissioner Clark and carried by the follow ng vote. Commissioners Smith, Tinch, Clark, Rubidoux and His Honor voting aye. Noes, none. Bids on two trucks for the street department were opened at this time from the following firms: Hogan & Westlake, and Clark County Wholesale Company. Three other bids were sent out but not returned. Commissioner Rubidoux moved that the bid of the Clark County Wholesale Company in the amount of $4770.66 for both trucks be accepted. Motion seconded by Commissioner Clark and carried by the following vote. Commissioners Smith, Tinch, Clark, Rubidoux and His Honor voting aye. Noes, none. Bids on 100 blankets for the police department were opened at this time. Three bids were sent out but only one from J. C. Penny's was returned. Commissioner Clark moved that the bid of J. C. Penny in the sum of $196. be accepted. Motion seconded by Commissioner Smith and carried by the following vote. Commissioners Smith, Tinch, Clark, Rubidoux and His Honor voting aye. Noes, none. Bids on a calculating machine for the city engineer were opened at this time. Commissioner Smith, upon the recommendation of the city engineer, moved that the bid on the Monroe Company on a motor operated machine in the sum of $276.25 be accepted. Motion seconded by Commissioner Tinch and carried by the following vote. Commissioners Smith, Tinch, Clark, Rubidoux and His Honor voting aye. Noes, none.