Commercialized Prostitution in New York City

This early twentieth‑century study offers a systematic look at how prostitution was organized and marketed in New York City. Born from the aftermath of a grand jury investigation into the white‑slave trade, the work was commissioned by a newly formed private Bureau of Social Hygiene. Its authors draw on interviews with lawyers, physicians, clergy, and city officials to map the social and economic forces that kept the trade alive. The introduction explains why a permanent, behind‑the‑scenes organization was seen as essential for lasting change.

The book walks readers through the various venues where the business operated, from upscale parlor houses to cramped tenements, hotels, and massage parlors. It then profiles the people who ran the operations and the women and clients who populated them, offering statistics on costs, arrests, and court outcomes. A detailed chapter examines the case files of women sent to the state reformatory at Bedford Hills, revealing patterns that still inform modern policy debates. Appendices and statistical tables round out the analysis, giving a clear picture of the scope of the problem at the time.