October 2013

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discussion of the causes of teenage “sexual delinquency” and whether “victory girls” or prostitutes carried the most venereal diseases. A Billings law enforcement official raised the issue of social class of sex workers with the provocative question, “If you are going to close down prostitution, why don’t you start at the top with the hotels?” Not impressed by any of these arguments, the Army representative concluded, “Close that south-side line in 24 hours or the military will move in and do it for you.” The practice of open prostitution in downtown Billings had come to an end. The next day Mayor Biddinger anAt the Minnesota nounced the closure of the district, and Avenue entrance within days the “ladies of the night” either left or took their business to of her “pleasure less conspicuous parts of town. Years palace,” Warren later a new Police Chief, R. L. Wilson, announced a new law and a new arranged for a attitude in Billings toward prostitularge concrete tion. The 1961 city ordinance banned prostitution, call girls and red light block, with her districts in the city on the grounds name etched on that “Prostitution is contrary to the laws of man and the laws of God.” it, to be placed Despite the lingering notions of where men could “well-meaning citizens” who thought of prostitution as a “necessity for some alight from their segments of our society” or as vital carriages without to economic growth, Wilson argued that sex crimes beget other crimes. dirtying their He remembered his days as a patrolclothes. man before 1943 when “hardly a night passed” without some violent crime in the red light district. Although open prostitution is no longer tolerated in Billings, somewhere in the city, perhaps buried under mounds of dirt or building materials, stands a concrete block etched with the name “Olive Warren.” It speaks to a different time when prostitution was public, and for all of its vices, worked its way into the city’s economic muscle and the spiritual heart.

Saunas help the body detoxify itself of harmful metals, pesticides, and pollutants! Saunas boost energy levels. Saunas induce deep, restorative sleep. Saunas shorten colds, viruses, bugs and flu. Saunas improve cardiovascular performance and help lower blood pressure. Saunas speed post-workout recovery. Saunas burn calories. Saunas cleanse and refresh the skin. Saunas release endorphins and lower stress.

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Se Ma Up a t int nd ena nce

MAGIC CITY MAGAZINE I OCTOBER 2013 I 43


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