Evening journal., 1921-07-07


~ ELAwAREANs fail to be interested in the fact
~ that following payment Of approximately Si6-
10000 embezzement and burglary claims last year by
thirty surety and burglary insurance companies William
B. Joyce president Of the National Surety Company has
made public what he believes 10 be the eleven principal
causes Of the present nationwide crime wave.
Widespread dsrespect for law. which is always an in
evitabe consequence Of war nrst President Joyces
list.
Enlarged opportunities for crime increased daring OF
war-drafed criminals hgh-livng COSTS lowered wages,
unemployment mistaken and ignorant discomfort and
notion Of injustice among many individuals excessive
speculation loose accounting systems in many concerns,
careless investigating methods employment, lavish dis
play and dangerously falacious communstlc theorizng
are among other important factors enumerated
Present increased crimes developed in various unfor-
hnate business and economic situations which were
caused by the war These various national economic Sit
uaons must be niegenty anayzed and clearly under
stood by every one in order 10 be completely and perma-
nently remeded President Joyce states. The eleven
causes follow:
l. Widespread lessenng Of respect for law and prop
ery This lessening of respect for law follows every war
and is manifested today throughout country and the
entire world by individuals in many social classes both
high and low War makes many epope more cynical and
caous, more Indifferent 10 human suffering and the
rights Of others changed attitude and spirit is greatly
needed
2 Much greater opportunity for dishonesty exists now
than before the war Billions Of newly issued negotiable
securities and being broadly acclaimed and have
often handled by new inexperienced and untred sm-
poyes These securities have been nsufcently guarded
and protected and largely known about by the crm-
nal classes always alert looking for points OF
weakness Remember that opportunity often and alone
makes the thief
g. Published reports of great profits made through the
war have created much discomfort and, even in some
cases revengefu spirit An understanding by all classes
of how heavily the Federal Administration is taxing
excess profits will go far TO aay this crmebreedng dis
satisfaction.
/ A. There we're some criminals inevitably drafted into
the war and have returned calous and more reckless
regarding their own and other peoples lives and more
skilled in using firearms and in attacking guarded and un
guarded places.
s. High war wages have naturally led to extravagan
living standards Now when wages and employment are
decreasing the newly acquired expensive tastes remain
Living from hand-to-mouh is, OF COURSE first steI
toward crime necessity knows no law"
G. Thousands Of men and women, who were attracted
to large business by high during the wal
and who like the city e have refused to return to the
/ original homes in small towns and farms. Many o
them are either unemployed or are working discon
teniedy for wages insufficient TO satisfy their desires
such situation is of course obviously crimefomentns
l. Published reports Of enormous noations Of invest
ment securities during and after the have made man.
people think that they not getting their share OF tn
nations wealth and they nurse the thought rea
grievance.
, g. The doctrines Of Socialism. Bolshevism, etc. hav
furnished a false but potent excuse for many recer
Grimes Education although it is the only sure road I
national peace and prosperity seems just now, to be pre-
ducing a surprising number of human beings who fee
easier about doing something they know to be wrong
they can find some theory which TO make 1t rigt
10 do a wrong
O. Inadequate accounting methods in business arisn
out OF the building up 'big" business too quickly.
TO- Culpabe oareessness in employing without il
yesugaton dangerous criminals and ex-convicts VIII
posed clerks servants, etc.
H. Lavish and unseemlS display Of valuables in publ
places has produced envy resentment among the
easy and has caused recent losses both
and to insurance companies.
Common sense methods by employers and those ownir
" yaluabes will prevent dishonesty and Will check O
crme-wave according President Joyce will also q
enactment of penalties, including life sci
= tence for all burglars
To show the increase in embezzements and burgarie
during the last decade the National Surety Compar
makes public the following table OF annual losses pa
by thirty companies inside" and "outsid
" crimes In considering the increases allowance shou
he made for the increased bonds and policies written
H. Year Embe1zlement Burglares
p 1910 .......-....-..... Si396OSi SSS6Oi5
e 1918 ............--. 2O3O2O i2gS5Ss
ed 1918 ..-....-........ 3O6O3is 296l79O
III 1919 ................. 46636Oi 566OS6
he 1920 .................. 5623Si9 iOiS9S53
is II a noteworthy fact that recent authorities ha
stated that there burglaries to every III
Ii whereas before the great only three burgla
es les to every fire.
al The remedy is to put the unemployed to wor