The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-31

There is progress in all things, and the
science Of burglary is no exception to the
rule The old-fashioned housebreaker has
been superseded by a genuemanly indi-
vidual who drives to his place Of business
in a cab and does his work in clothes so
handsome and impressive that nobody
thinks Of him as being a burglar until he
has vanished and then it is too late. Five
men, well dressed and wearing diamonds OF
considerable value, went into New York
restaurant not long ago ordered an ex-
pensive breakfast. and while lingering over
It managed to steal 5000. They paid the
cashier with money which they had taken
from the safe, and departed.
such methods OF procedure would as
tonish Bill Sykes. They would strike him
as unscientife; and Fsgin would undoubt-
edly stigmatize them as involving too much
outlay But that is the way the modern
burglar does his work.
Ii is obvious that men who have the wit
10 devise such schemes as these and carry
them out successfully would be able to sue
coed in almost any legitimate business.
There Is a type OF housebreaker a con
genital criminal who leads a life OF crime
not so much because it is profitable as be-
cause his evil impulses demand that he
shall do SO. He is often clumsy, brutal,
and unscieDtihc in his methods. and his
victims are not prepared for him. A tramp
can 20 into a country town and pick out a
house in lonely situation, where be has
reason TO suppose that be will find valu-
Hbles; and, owing to the difficulty Of sum
moning assistance or fighting of the in
truder. the occupants Of the house will
not be able TO save their property even il
the burglary is discovered. II does not take
much courage or wit to do that sort Of
thieving; II needs only the INSCRIPTIONS
instinct Of the thief. But in a big city.
where the police are alert and people in
general more or less on their guard against
Suspicious characters, the successful bur
glar must be willy as well as determined.
u. in the study Of the criminal problem.
some way could be found by which such
misdirected talents could be made Of use
10 the State. It would probably be the most
valuable discovery OF the age. II is not
impossible that something OF the sort viii
be done The prison reform associations
are working toward that end, and so are
the iunicr republics. The philanthropists
interested in prison reform do all that
they can to utilize each mans special gift
during his Incarceration. They see that a
man accustomed 10 work with his head.
albeit his work is criminal. IS not likely
TO be contented when set at brushmaking
or quarrying, and II he IS not contented
he is more or less dangerous His brain
must be allowed TO occupy itself in some
legitimate way, or he viii be planning
mutiuy, escape. and mischief It is sim
ply a precauion to keep him thinking
about something q possible. Moreover. II
he has any good in him he may form habits
q industry become interested in work
for its own sake. and make up his mind
TO use his brains in honest occupations
when discharged; and when one criminal
r. made into an honest man. there Is a
distinct gain not only 10 the man but the
State, for he becomes profitable 10 the
community instead Of preying on it. It