The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-06
TOEND CRIME, KEEP
IT DARK, SAYS HYLAN
Newspapers Help to Spread
Lawlessness by Their Re-
ports, He Contends.
ASKS BANKS TO APPEAL
Deplores Tales Seemingly In
viting Crooks Here for
Easy Holdups.

Mayor Hyian has a brand new idea
as to how to prevent crimes and hold
ups in New York city. It Is to have the
newspapers stop printing the news about
them To that end he wrote yesterday
to Lewis c. Kaufman, president Of the
Chatham and Phenix National Bank,
suggesting that he interest the banks Sin
movement to use their influence with
the press along that line. 1t Is evil
dent from the letter that the Mayor is
laooring under the impression that a
certain newspaper has been looking into
the prevalence of crime with the primary
object of knocking" him.
Inc Mayors letter, which was mads
public at the City Hall, follows:
You know that Police Commissioner
Enrisht Is endeavoring to give the peo-
pie or this city the best possible police
COMMUNICATION. May II. one Of the
morning papers printed an article.
wnich you will md enclosed, concern
ing notorious crook, which article In
notnin6 moro than an invitation TO
crooks to begin operations In the City
OF New York.
IT II TO be regretted that any news
paper would print or publish an article
"nich points out to the vicious element
al over the country the manner in
which crooks might easily and success"
| tuily begin criminal operations in the
City or New York. 1t seems to me the
press owe duty to the public regard
less or their personal feelings against
the Mayor of the city.
| nave a report In my possession
which states that on March 81. 1919. n
man was approached by another who in
formed him that he was a reporter and
inquired IL he had been robbed within
tne past month. Upon being informed in
the negative the reporter said: I am
9etuns UP great story knocking the DO
lice. or rather Hyian.'
ION other dates people whose mama. 7
nave have been approached by q re-
porter. who stated: You know our naner
Is out to knock the police-well. not ex-
actly the police, but Hylan.' The press
should honestly criticise a public official
VINO Is not performing his duty, but
| When articles are written pointing out
| 70 Crooks that II is easy to rob banks IN
| New fork 1t amounts to an invitation to
crooks OF every calibre to visit New
York. where they believe they can op-
crate with ease. This gives the police a
great deal OF trouble. for invariably muir
ders are committed in attempt to rob
| banks.
Let me call your attention to testi-
money taken by police inspector in an
| examination some time ago, which
proves that young boys sometimes ret
their inspiration to do wrong from the
articles In the press which sive the i'm
preston that It Is easy for crooks to
operate.
"A young man not yet seventeen years
OF age when asked how he came TO get
the idea OF making a stick up in other
| words. holding people up, said he read
ABOUT how easy II was to do these things
In the newspapers. Another young man
| in answer to the question. How did IL
get into your head that II was easy to
do and stick people up?' gave the follow
| ing answer: I read how somebody was
shot with a gun. Another time l read
about a burglar. and I thought I would
do the same thing
| This. II seems to me, Is sufficient TO
point out to you the danger of such
articles. We are working to the end of
crime prevention The papers could help
by telling the truth and pointing out
that New York Is not a safe place for
crooks TO operate II they have any re-
gard for their liberty.
would II not be a good idea for the
officials of banks in this city to take
| some action in an endeavor to prevent
| bank roboeries by asking the press To
| discontinue articles such as the one in
closed. which encourages crooks, crimi-
mails and holdup men to come to this
city?
at will be a step In the right direc-
| ton TO prevent crime and to discoura re
| criminals from all ove- the country COM
| Ing to our city. 1t will also aid the
| police to keep law and order.
The papers in the city which are
| opposed to me and maliciously abuse
me might well forego their personal an
tagonism and discontinue writing such
articles because of the dangers 10 the
people. Ny only desire as Mayor OF
this city Is TO protect all the people
and endeavor TO aid them in carrying
out the laws prescribed by our Gov
eminent so that all may enjoy the rights
and liberties given them under our con-
| stitution.
III you can interest the banks in
| a movement to use their influence with
the press along the lines that 7 have
! suggested II will tend TO put an end to
many of the holdups and murders in
I the city"
he was getting ready to put the skids
| under Commissioner Enright. Mayor
| Hylan declared the rumor was without
foundation and that he was emlnently
pleased with his head OF the Police De-
| partment. The department. he asserted,
was never in better shape than to-day.