For several years thirty one-dollar houses of prostitution in the Tenderloin have been operated as a "combine," under the direct control of fifteen or more men. The individuals in question have been in business for many years in New York City, as well as in other cities both in this country and abroad. They buy and sell shares in these houses among themselves, and it is seldom that an outsider, unless he be a relative, can "break" into the circle and share in the profits. The value of the shares depends upon the ability of the owners to maintain conditions in which the houses, being unmolested, are permitted to make large profits. The man who proves himself capable of achieving this through business sagacity and political pull is called the "king." Upon him falls the responsibility of "seeing" the "right" individuals. Owners follow the trend of public sentiment with a keenness and foresight truly remarkable. If a new official indicates by orders or by sentiments expressed in public that he is in favor of an "open town," there is great rejoicing among the promoters. Agitation in the opposite direction reacts on the value of their properties: prices drop and there is a scramble to "get under cover." If spasmodic efforts at reform are made, the more prominent owners meet in council with their lawyers and solemnly discuss what their policy should be. If their houses are closed, they still keep on paying rent, ready to open again--when a favorable word comes or when the moral outbreak subsides. For the owner has no faith in reformers. "They get tired and quit"; "all this will blow over"; "they are sick of it already";--such are his reflections as he recalls past experiences. The majority of men exploiters of prostitution in New York City are foreigners by birth. Some of them have been seducers of defenseless women all their lives. In one instance, at least, a whole family is engaged in the business,--the parents[112] conduct a restaurant, which is a "hangout" for pimps, procurers, crooks, and prostitutes; the daughters are prostitutes, the two sons, pimps and procurers. The father and mother are constantly on the lookout for girls whom their sons may ruin and exploit on the street or in houses. Another family[113] has already been referred to as conducting a delicatessen store in Seventh Avenue: they occupy the upper floors as their dwelling; the shop below is the favorite rendezvous of owners, madames, procurers, pimps, and prostitutes. The children of this family, one a girl just reaching womanhood, mingle freely with them. The father keeps an eye on the handsome procurers who talk with his children; though he listens daily to their schemes for securing women and girls he would "cut to pieces" any man among them who attempted to defile his own daughters.