New-York tribune., 1906-07-29

New York in the last dozen years has under
gone remarkable evolution in its criminal class,
which is FOR better or worse according as one
looks a. il The big artist rogues OF the past
are no more. and their places are taken by ANA
teUrs nediocrfties. bunglers. This would be a
ad condition in legitimate profession; as it is,
2 seems 70 reflect credit safe makers. the
police and bankers' associations yet the multipli-
cation Of cheap crooks has increased the sum
total of crime That it is easier 70 fight wolves
than mosquitoes is evinced by the action Of two
companies in quitting their burglary insurance
business. and other companies are thinking IT
taking the same step.
'W1en left Headquarters. eleven years ago. .
ssid Inspector Mclaughlin. Of the detective bu-
rssu, 70 q Tribune reporter. there were two
thousand faces IN our picture gallery. Now
there are twelve thousand"
The United States Fidelity and Guaranty Com
pany was followed by the American Fidelity
Company IN its announcement flle other dey Of
no naore burglar insurance, leaving eight COM
Dsuies Sill obviously IN the field The ones
that withdrew said they would continue in ether
cities where the evolution 10 numerous malefac-
tons has not obtained. They answered the
pleasant jest OF Police Commissioner Bingham
thai we are holding the thieves down so well
thai there II no profit in burglar insurance" y
quoting the New York State ratio of losses in
currsd 70 premiums received in 1904 at 3I6
per cent. whereas Pennsylvania -howed 20 per
cent, Nebraska 2 per cent, Louisiana one-eighth
of per cent, and Rhode Island no loss at AL.
Tie reports for last year are expected TO sur
pass -his record OF bad pre-eminence.
The consensus OF opinion among insurance
men by no means lays entire blame n the door
Of tho Police Department Many elements con-
tribute 70 the resulG-immigration politics and
rash business composition Young foreigners are
the main recruits TO the body of new crooks.
Iheir numbers cause them 20 become factors at
election time and give them the protection Of
political influence. u is easy for them 20 pose
as misguided first offenders; Eheir crimes are
comparatively small: they are cunning enough TO
Dand together and hire slE1ful lawyers ia ad-
vance of committing a misdeed. And the rash
business competition has resulted in an i'lsur-
ance policy so lax in its terms ana so easily
granted that ft Is a positive temptation TO the
ordinary citizen. while afording an ideal chance
% small bodies Of conspirators.
IN LEAGUE WITH GRAFTERs.
Cur policy is so wide open" said one COM
Sany officer that dare not even discuss its
TENS in q newspaper for fear Of inviting to
dishonesty. Talk OF FIRE insurance fraudsi They
We're clumsy and dificlslt compared with what
car be done without any trouble and little risk
10 burglary insurance company. Nearly all
Tie blsiness is brought 20 our cliice by brokers
who II not in league with grafters, ara TOO
Jealous OF their clients interests They We're
able a year ago 10 prevent the Introduction CT a
reform policy more just to the company. a.
though il was offered at a reduction Of > pei
cent from existing rates. Il isn't the burglar We
lear but the average man taking OUT policy
insur1ng him against burglary or loss OF prop
erty in his home. When he reads that Dolicy
ne feels almost a. II he Is bound TO lose some
Thing. and at once Il becomes a question as 70
Whether ne hae strength OF mind enough 70
forget tie sugges1scns