The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-13

x /OUNG men and young women
just from college and looking
about for opportunities should
firmly reject all suggestions or in
ducements to take up crime as a ca
reer. Moral considerations aside, there
Is nothing, absolutely, nothing. which
would justify such a choice. True
friends would never think Of recon-
mending it.
No matter how assiduously, intelli-
gently and drastically the business of
violently or furtively acquiring ones
neighbours goods may be pursued, the
business leads to squald misery in
the end. AS life work it simply
doesn't pay, particularly for those that
60 into it in a small way. Moreover,
crime is becoming increasingly dis
reputable. 1t is a bad game finan-
cially and 1t offers no social rewards
worthy OF the name.
There are many men and some
women in New Yorn VINO nave fol-
lowed the trade for years-some OF
them, indeed. for span of fifty years.
To-day such of them as have not
sunk completely out OF sight in the
morasses of the underworld are OBJ
jects of pity even to the police. They
have become shambling mendicants,
old, broken, utterly penniless, wholly
dependent Oh begging. They live like
toads in some dark hole, their only
soace in the twilight of life being such
rum OF such drugs as they can beg
or steal. Most of their active years
have been spent in practising the lock
step. They will appear before Peter
at the gate dragging their lert feet
Their immortal souls will spring from
unconsidered clay thrown into a pot
ter's field hole. At the hour of their
death many of them will be cursed
by recollections of evil gains tossed
away and by regrets such as come
eventually to human beings that stray
at the crossroads.
It Is Poor Business.
As a plain matter of human eXpe-
rience there Is no degree of theft which
will pay one mill on the dollar. Take
religion out of the discussion entirely.
Put aside all contemplation of the Ten
Commandments and the moral law.
cal guide. Consider crime solely as a
business proposition. Weigh the ex-
perience of notorious criminals that
have made a stir in the world because
of their holiness or shrewdness. The
result simply affronts intelligence.
There is nothing in it but shame, dirt,
loneliness, contempt and an unmarked
grave. There is not one commercial
hat to cav n thief who
steals by guile or strength with the
sole idea of getting money without
work and who cherishes no special
malice toward humankind. in a thous-
sand that ever enjoys in his closing
years any sort of prosperity. any shade
OF the transquillity that old age re-
quires. In this there Is observed the
operation of an immutable law Of psy-
chology. Not only are material gains
impossible to hold, but the brain itself
Is so changed by the hysteria Of the
trade that the calmness essential tor
happiness is forever destroyed
Ask old Mott Haven Red. one Of the
most daring and expert burglars the
police ever sought. Ask Ellen Peck,
queen of the confidence women. who
lured 81 .OOO, 900 from the purses of too
trustful men and who ts broke at the
age OF 90. Ask Monk Eastman. per-
haps the most dangerous gang leader
In New York's history before he went
into the army. won the d. 6. c. and
- earned the respect Of all his comrades
in arms. Ask Aionzo Whitman, once a
State Senator In Minnesota, later q
wizard at forgery and recently bum
On the Bowery. Ask John Dowd. prob
ably the last cs the old Whyo gang