The Washington herald., 1907-01-07
The Nan with the Bomb.

What is to be done with the man who
carries a bomb? When he nuTis his own
worthless soul into eternity, the question
is easily answered. This is not. however.
the final solution. There are other men
with bombs. They are human wreckers.
What shall be done with them?
The tragic episode in Philadelphia last
Saturday occasions the pr0foundest re-
Election. Here were score of men
peacefully pursuing their legitimate
duties. Suddenly a bomb is exploded
killing two innocent men besides the
bomb-thrower and injuring a score of
others Instantly one wonders how so
ciety Is TO be protected against such das-
tardly and deadly assaults. It is not
enough TO say that the murderer was a
half-crazy, irresponsible fellow who had
always preached the doctrine that the
world owed him a living Unfortunately
We know that this particular bomb
thrower is not a solitary individual, but
that he represents type. In Russia the
type is not only well defined, but numer-
Gus, and what is more seriously TO the
point il cannot be suppressed. despite
the unwearying exercise of autocratic
power. 1t is a type which seems TO de-
velop along with our complex civilization,
and it is now evident that we must
reckon with it,
The problem is a formidable one for two
reasons; first. because il is extremely diff
fcult to detect and prove insanity, and,
second. because bombs are made without
trouble and are easily concealed IN this
city, which is a sort of Mecca for cranks,
experience has shown that rarely can a
person with homicidal tendencies be sin
gled out from the great mass of tran
sient population unless he is unwary
enough TO confde his secret to some one
else. The pathology of mental diseases
has not yet reached that point where in
slant identification of a man with dan
gerous tendencies IS possible It is a
curious fact that these men are, as a
rule, Of secretive natures. and are thus
enabled to hide their real characters. If
we could, at a glance. detect the bomb
thrower. it would be easy enough TO
place him under restraint Unfortunately.
no such power is at present within human
ken.
small phial of nitric acid and a few
chemicals are all that is necessary to
manufacture "A dangerous explosive and
a piece of gas pipe. procurable anywhere.
completes the instrument of death. How
is society to protect itself against the
combination of bomb and half-crazy
bomb-thrower? The modern panacea for
our ills is Federal Legislation. It is a
matter Of serious doubt, however. whether
the enactment of statutes. either by
State legislatures or Congress. will wholly
solve the difficulty. Il is possible Of
course. to pass laws that will render Il
difficult for any one except thoroughly
responsible persons 10 obtain explosives
If the most vigorous restrictions are
placed about the sale Of all materials
which make the bomb a dangerous ex-
plosive, it may be possible to lessen the
menace to which every one is now sub
1ected We cannot recall. either. that at
the present time there is any law making
the manufacture OF the possession of a
bomb a very serious Offense. The task
of rendering such a law effective is nat
urally difficult but its enactment might.
at least, be deterrent. The man with the
bomb ought to be regarded as an outlaw,
and if he can be caught before he has
wreaked his vengeance, he ought to be
regarded as entirely out Of the pale Of
consideration.
1t will be necessary in the future, also
to exercise the closest scrutiny over per-
sons who cannot give Ia thoroughly salts
factory account Of themselves Only
those who harbOr improper motives can
object TO the utmost vigilance on the part
Of the authorities. At any rate society
has "A right to protect itself and il is
evident that the necessary steps toward
this protection must be taken. not only
speedily, but with determination.