ATLANTIC CITY BEAUTY CONTEST SAID TO POSE A 'MORAL DANGER'
Ocean City, New Jersey (JFK+50) On September 10, 1923, The Evening Star reports "resolutions urging that the country be aroused to the 'moral dangers' of the annual beauty contest at Atlantic City* were adopted" at the Founder's Day exercises held here in Ocean City yesterday.
The Rev. James E. Lake**, a 78 year old Methodist minister, "appealed to mothers to make their daughters wear bathing suits that do not expose the legs far above the knees."
*Atlantic City's first beauty pageant (Miss America), was held on September 7 & 8, 1921. Contestants represented 7 cities & Atlantic City.
**Rev. James E. Lake was one of the founders of Ocean City, NJ dedicating the island as a Christian seaside resort on Sept 10 1879.
SOURCE
"Danger To Morals Seen In Resort Beauty Show," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., September 10, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
