New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-07-18

some OF the private detective agen-
cies employed by certain big estab-
lishments reports that never in their
knowledge have there been so many
thefts as now.
A Moral Breakdown
All sorts of explanations are of
.ercd. Some say q curious break
down 4. moral perceptions, due to
Eolsf cvjk tendencies which "recog-
nlze no right of property" and the
humiliation of ethical standards re-
suiting from the war, is chiefly to
Blanc. Others lay it to the desire
for extravagant dress among women.
Unable to pay the high prices de-
handed for articles desired fer
adornment, many women do the
next best thing, according to these
thvorists-they steal them.
But in any case, it is a mistake,
according to the head Of the protec-
tive association already referred to,
to assume that all shoplifters be-
long in the petty class of offenders.
Some live in comfort and apparent
responsibility on their incomes, car
rying on their calling with all the
care and ability which their more
honorable neighbors devote to hon
est pursuits.
at is not unusual for them to own
automobiles. Not few live at the
best hotels, and there is nothing in
their appearance or manner of liv-
ing to indicate the thief. They keep
regular hours, and some, like New
York woman recently arrested, in
vest their savings. The New York
woman owned big apartment house
and when not engaged in shoplifting
was to be seen collecting rents and
attending to other details incident to
the ownership of a valuable prop
erty.
Conviction Is Difficult
"A person not acquainted with the
problems of the police may ask why,
if the habits of these people are so
we'll known, they are not arrested at
once, but there are a great many
obstacles in the way. Being pos
sessed Of means they are, in the first
place, protected by gh-priced law
yers. One woman recently placed
on trial, for instance, engaged one
of the best known attorneys of the
city to defend her, and paid him
$4,000, it is said, for his services.
Then, of course, person accused Of
shoplifting must be caught in the
act if there is to be any hope of con-
viction. A suspect may have police
record, but this in itself is not al
ways sufficient to justify arrest.
Many persons once convicted of
crime make efforts to reform, and it
is in the interests of society for the
law to encourage them in this. A
great many Of the suspects know
It's as we'll as anybody, and put up
n great show Of virtue and indigna-
ton when interfered with by the
Police, solely because of their record.
Finally, of course, there is always
The danger Of a mistake and a dam
sc suit, and this most department
stores and merchants try earnestly
to avoid.
The extraordinary increase in
shoplifting cases recently expe-
rienced by some of the big stores
has added to the difficulties of the
detectives and protective agencies
and has intensified interest not only
in the causes of the growth in crime,
but in the methods employed by the
pilferers.
Not many days ago one of these
"Felf-Hawks," woman, caused
qdite stir in the rooms on the
twcnty-seventh floor of the Bush
Terminal Sales Building in Forty
second Street. The rooms are those
occupied by the Stores Protective
Ritual Association. This is, in eff
feet, a detective agency supported
By eighteen of the department stores
Of the city as an organization to
fight shoplifters and has for its head
William A. Murphy, one time lieu
tc.-ant in the Police Department of
inc city. 1t was Murphy who said
ttsat a shoplifter who was fairly
successful had no trouble making
$4,000 year from his efforts.
Husband and Child Along
THE stir was caused by the news
that q certain Mrs. n had been
seen one of the department |
stores. Now this Mrs. NJ is
we'll known character and her meth