THE SPREAD OF CRIME.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16870, 27 October 1925, Page 9

THE SPREAD OF CRIME.

GETTING AWAY WITH IT IN AMERICA. NEW YORK, Sept. 19.—Grave disquietude is spreading throughout America at Thu persistent increase in crime. The unprecedented record of Chicago, where more than a. murder per day has been committed since the liist of the.year, isnot quite being duplicated elsewhere, but in all parts of tho country criminals are becoming increasingly defiant of the law, and the streets of cities and towns alike are never safe for pedestrians. Nobody knows if a footpad) may not step from a •dark doorway in a dimly lighted thoroughfare and take your money or your life in any part of the United States.

So serious has the situation become that a National Crimes Commission, whose membership iucludes distinguished citizens in many parts of the country, has been organised to try to save America from tho-thugs and murderers who cannot "be held within bounds by the nation’s police. The police methods of other countries will be studied, and the commission will make recommendations for legislative action in the varidis States. •

The ‘most disturbing factor is the increase in crimes of violence. Judges of American courts do not, distinguish between such crimes'and others in passing sentence to the extent that is done, for histuliicc, in’England. A criminal caught in an unlawful act unarmed may receive from one judge a more severe sentence than an aimed thug would get in another court. The certainty, of a greater penalty following the use of violence, which has so pronounced an effect in Great Britain, does not exist in tho United' States., So it is that the criminal classes have no reason to restrain themselves once they embark on a venture in the dark. 1 -SUCCESS COVERS ALL.

The skill with which American lawyers are able to appeal to juries and obtain either acquittals for their criminal clients or a verdict of guilty on a comparatively minor count has also a profound influence in causing people of the underworld to take .chances iti perpetrating outrages that are Unheard of in other parts of the civilised world. The persistent way in which American newspapers tend to make heioes out of criminals has a stimulating effect, too.

But these reasons for' the persistent of crime in America are really Only details. The basic reason why crime is so flourishing all over tho United States is the general attitude of the citizens of America towards success in general. The tendency to judge all values in the United Slates by materialistic standards has reached such an extreme limit,that in the slang of the day. if a person can,‘.‘get away with it,” no questions are .asked 1 about the method of his success. ,To ‘‘get away with if” in America means to reach one’s goal by hook or crook, without, considering any standard except the standard that success is its own, justification. If one, is successful, the .way of attaining success becomes a matter of Indifference. One Shows the dollar sign of success, and no questions .are asked.

. The effect of the low standards of so many American millionaires is seen on American''civilisation at large. Especially does it stimulate the criminal classes to reach out for what thev want in ways of bold initiative, in t(ie belief that

whoever can “get away with it” is justitiedl in doing so. The lack of restraint. in methods of acquiring wealth has done much to raise the standard of living in America by making people “hustle” all the while to keep their jobs; but it lias also developed a ruthlessncss and harshness in pushing toward success which America is now beginning to feel is a menace to the future of the nation.