The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-11-28
Police Officials Point to
Evils Responsible in
Promoting Crime
SOLICIT COOPERATION
Citizen Who Falls for Hard
Luck Stories Considered
Hindrance to Law.
10 DUSTY" RHODES.

bonds are III a kLcaS "S"S"''
snonstblc for theft, and are two
~ ,be chief agencies In promoting
c,imes Of this nature, according TO
Police commissioners J. NJ. Adki'
AN Chief OF Police John A. Gus
,ssson and other members OF the
nolice department.
Members OF the Tulsa police force
Rave repeatedly stood helplessly by
and witnessed the smiling depart
u,s of some crook from custody
hscause of the refusal OF persons
sssinst whom they have offended
~ prosecute. So perhaps the po-
iiecmen cannot be blamed for grow
,rr cynical and concluding that
thew have a slight grievance. Some
NJ them have about decided that
ready tongue or a pink counten-
,nce Is enough to permit a crook to
ret by the average man or
tvoman.
Disseminating Task.
Maybe you think 1t isn't dis
couueing,"S explained Chief Gus
tstson the other day. "for an Of
fccr to spend a lot OF valuable
time finding and arrcsting a crook
and then see him released when he
is brought to trial and the chief
witness refuses to prosecute. Ere
1uen,ly we spend two and three
Says on one case. The chase may
lead us from one end of the city to
the oher, into sizes and along side
streets. Sometimes we get bit
discouraged but we keep up our
spirits until finally VIC find our
diar.
I'VE take him to the station and
bck him up, knowing beyond any
reasonable doubt that he is the man
wanted. Then we notify the per-
son against whom the crook has
offended. He will usually come to
the police station and identity him,
And at the same time he declares
vehemently and cmphatically that
he is ready to prosecute. he even
asks that the trial be held az quick
" as possible so ne can put the
crook in the penitentiary where he
belongs.
Finally the case comes to trial.
The crook puts up a pitiful tale OF
hard luck, Of unsuccessful efforts Ia
find employment He may even
relate a heart touching story of q
little old mother back home who
believes in him and whose prayers
are following him. The crook be-
comes the personification OF humil-
ity. And the witness Is frequently
touched by such stories: he begins
70 relent. He doesn't recollect his
precious promise TO prosecute Wig
orously, he doesn't know that this
crook has told the story until he
has 1t memorized: he doesn't realize
that evgn II there is little mother
At home-and usually there isn't
this crook would do everything II
his power to combat the possible ef
fects of her prayers which he
hardened to sin, regards as tommy
rot
Even when nc knows positivel!
that the crook before him Is q
guilty as a Judas, the witness's minC
changes under the spell OF Gill
tongue and he decides tn give hin
another chance. The witness think
perhaps ne will make a good citi
zen II given his liberty. Usually
however the crook takes advantag
ofthis other chance by perpetratin
another crime. Why. l know OF
case in which the witness not onl
refused to prosecute the crook, bu
gave him $50 to help him along
within three weeks the same croo
was back in Jail charged with steal
Ing another automobile"
They Soon Come Back.
Dozens OF such cases with sligh
variations could be picked from tn
records for the past six months. Ps
lice Commissioned Adkison assert
mat the thieves usually get bac
INTO tho tolls Of the law. An AZ
tomohiIe thief will stick to autom'
olle stealing, a hi-jacker TO hi-jacl
ing, and so on. Addison says. Wher
ever an automobile thief Is arrest
"a II Is almost a safe surmisc ths
40 has been charged with the san
onense before. either locally or
somc other city. Crooks cling
their professions, the same as hoi
est business men continue in II
( time.
our job Is hard enough w!tho'
belHg thus made harder by mi
placed sentiment on the part OF II
public Addison declared. III pc
PIE want TO take an interest In Il
nVes of the people that rob ther
Ihcy should at least do II In sue
Iuro good behavior ~ possible. TT
WI iist
me facts In the case justify, al
VIII require future good conduct
return for the same. Why car
ney follow the parole route instei
refusing to prosecute. Probab
No'thirds OF the motor car thiev
laught escape punishment becau
'of the refusal OF people to prosecu
aer their cars have been return
70 taem. And here IL one OF q
Neat reasons why automobile stea
hs Is SO extremely popular"
BOndsinen Help Along.
Adkison believes STRAW" bon
arc only another name OF givi
reedom to crooks. Professi or
eohdsmen who receive a liberal I
,or their services are always
nand to furnish bond for thieves,
matter what may be their direct Z
.ehse Often these bonds bear I
stamp N validity. but Investigate
Mterward reveals they are wort
.ss' Then the thief is gone. havi
.ost no time In making his getaw
'o more congenial climes.
1t should be either a stiff ca
CONTINUED ON pAGP FIVE