Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-31

~ALF the scientific socieues IN
E England are discussing the
strange case Of the burglar
who might have been prime
5 minister had his talents 6een
Apb,lv directed. which was brought 70
their attention u few weeks ago al d
Scientific meeting by DR.: Albert " llsoh'
z leading London brain specialist.
fDr Wilson has know this ex-hurgiar
hr some time, and has helped him 10
6form but until now he has kept MIN
Aalously guarded for his own study NO"
that he has drawn his conclusions. ne
las arranged to present" his burglar at
series of scientific gatherings as an eVl-
Hence of his theory that. in many cases.
crime is an irresistible impulse, born IN
L man, and which can only be cured oy
expert medical treatment
There is no doubt about the SIKH OF LII
Wilson's burglar. In his day ne was one
of the most noted, if not the most noted,
craftsman in England. and the ponce ana
the owners of country mansions contain
ing valuable family jewels alike preathed
a sigh of relief when he was put away
for his natural life. Scores o. bur-
alaries were attributed TO him b% the po-
lice and now that he has abandoned his
profession and become respectable mem
Der of society the ex-Durg!ar IS quite
Willing to admit with 4; smile that the
aolice were generally right. So clever
tas he however, that he was only cap
ered twice and each time he was be
trayed: once by a woman and on the
second occasion by a man whom he had
befriended
The ex-burglar is now known as z.
Williams That Is not the name he was
born with. but it is the name under
which he made his reputation in his
chosen profession. and 1t is the name he
mas chosen to bear for the rest of his
life He nves in a little fiat with his
wife and family-acauired since his refor-
mation-in Tottenham suburban district
of London. and he varies the peace I'll
calling OF painter and decorator by wri:
ing short stories. novels and articles 70
scientific publications. All his writings
deal with crime In its various phases a d
reformation of criminals.
Remarkable in Mentality
s DR. Wilson in describing iaim to the
3cientiic meeting few weeks ago lie
clared that he was a man of remarkable
brain power. and that il he had turned
lis attention to politics he might have
become prime minister. and woulf GER
calmly have attained cabinet .ank. Had
he entered the church. Or Wilson de
elares he would lle We become a bishop
and had he taken to soldering ne would
have commanded armies. No one can
talk to c Williams for half an hour
without indorsing DIR. Wilson's opinion.
He is slender. well-built man of
about nifty. with hair just turning gray.
2ie is clean shaven except for "A carefully
~axed muStaChe. but his eyes are the
remarkable feature. They look throug h
and through d visitor. and when he be-
gins TO talk in his quiet. refined voice no
one could imagine that this self-con-
trolled. educated man is the same indi-
vidual who was described by Mr.. Justice
Hawkins rs a wild beast who must never
again be let loose on society
Williams Is not one of those who took
to burglary from necessity He was the
son of man of large income and was
we'll educated All the professions We're
open to him. but he took TO burglary be-
cause he loved the excitement OF the life
and he practiced IL aSsiduoE-ly as
the soldier or the clergyman practices his
calling and with the same enthusiasm He
brought to its aid all the resources OF
science and trained mind
His first burglary was committed when
ne was boy in Birmingham. and the
story OF how he came to take the first