The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-08-29
SAYS IDLENESS CAUSES
 B|G CRIME WAVE Judge Points to Inadequate Police Protection as Chief
 Source of Trouble CITY FILLED WITH
 CROOKS AND THUGS Rigid Enforcement of Vagrancy Law and Heavy Prison Sentences
 Would do Much to Relieve
 the Situation
By CLYDE W. ENNIS


 | Crime is caused by likeness more than design. according to Judge H. B. Aber- nethy, whose experience with criminal offenders equips him we'll to talk upon that subject That Birmingham is in the throes of crime wave, gripping, fear ful and one that is causing women and children constant apprehension seems l generally admitted. The only cure for the offenders is stern. uncompromising punishment of prison fare. according to Judge Abernethy.
 In handling offences such as larceny, house breaking and the like, he said yes terday that the first stumble could per haps go unpunished by a prison sentence, but on the second there should be a strict application of the law in such cases, | likeness, says Judge Abernethy, ac- counts for the house breaking and thiev- cry that has Birmingham gasping. That a nest of crooks Is here; that they have an organization, have regularly employed fences and attorneys, such as a big busi- ness concern usually employs. were points while discussing the apparent conditions in Birmingham.
 Lack of Police Protection
 The reason for this wave of crime" said Judge Abernethy, lis lack of police protection first of all. The crooks know this and they are what might be termed calm and unafraid. I venture to say there are at this time over 1000 idle negro men in Birmingham and 800 white men who ShOnI1 ba to Ia t,, prison. These men have nothing to do and the idle brain is the devils own work shop.
 Why is it that so many more cases are tried on Monday than annother day?" Judge Abernethy inquired.
 T will answer: Simply because ne- groes and some whites have nothing to do between Saturday afternoon and Mon day morning Their idleness accounts for it. I have made 1t a practice and in- tend to keep 1t up stronger of putting vagrants in the coal mines. There is where they belong as surely as fate
 If this crime wave is to be checked, then there must be a roundup of idle per sons in this city. There is one sure cure for crookedness, and that is work.
 'As for punishment, they laugh at fines. It is absolutely inadequate to fine one of these fellows. fine Is nothing but license. If these vagrants are to be fined some of them might have the su- preme audacity to put up $500 or a 5000 and say: Credit my account; I intend to break into a few houses and loaf around a while But when judge puts them in prison it is a different thing Blind tigers may be broken up this way. Locally, there is surely something wrong and there should be something done to cause an exodus of vagrants and other idle people in this city. or put them in the coal mines. l am of the opinion that go per cent of housebreaking is from chance rather than design. The latter is taken up by the special and professional crook. The other is a negro passing by house and seeing an opportunity of breaking fin and getting away with it.
 'In my career as judge here in Birmingham I have had occasion to study this situation perhaps as close ly as any man here. I am sure that