The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-08-27
CAUSES FOR PRESENT CRIME.

NNO0ES FSn FnESENt SnimGs
Following payment of approximate
ly S16,000,000 embezzlement and bur-
glary claims last year by 80 surety and
burglary insurance companies, vii
liam B. Joyce, president Of the Ma
tional Surety company, made public
today what he believes to be the IL
principal causes of the present nation-
wide crime wave.
Widespread disrespect for law. which
Is always an inevitable cons equence
OF war, is first on President Joyces
list.
Enlarged opportunities for crime, in
creased daring of war-drafted crirni-
nails, high living costs, lowered wages,
UNEMPLOYMENT, a mistaken and ignor-
ant discomfort and notion of injustice
among many individuals. excessive
speculation, loose accounting systems
in many concerns, careless Investigate
ing methods in employment. lavish dis
play and dangerously fallaclous COM
munistic theorizing are among other
important factors enumerated.
Present increased crimes developed
in various unfortunate business and
economic situations which were caused
by the war. These various national
economic situations must be intelli-
by everyone in order to be completely
and permanently remedied. President
Joyce states. The IL causes follow:
l. Widespread lessening of respect
for law and property. This lessening
of respect for law follows every war
and Is manifested today throughout
our country and the entire world by
individuals in many social classes,
both high and low. War makes many
people more cynical and callous, more
indifferent to human suffering and the
rights of others. A changed attitude
and spirit is greatly needed.
2. Much greater opportunity for
exists now than before the
war; Billions of newly issued negotia-
BILE securities were and are being
broadly acclaimed and have often been
handled by new, inexperienced and
untried employees. These securities
have been insufficiently guarded and
protected and are largely known about
by the criminal classes, who are al
way alert looking for points of weak
ness. Remember that opportunity"
often and alone makes the thief.
8. Published reports of great pro-
fits made through the war have Gre
ated much discomfort and even, IN
some cases, a revengeful spirit. An I'M
derstanding by all classes of how heav-
lily the federal administration is taxing
excess war profits will go far to allay
the crime breeding dissatisfaction.
A. There were some criminals inev-
itably drafted into the war and have
returned more callous and more reck-
less regarding their own and other peo-
pies lives and more skilled in using
firearms and in attacking guarded and
unguarded places.
8. High war wages have naturally
led to extravagant living standards. |
Now, when wages and employment are
decreasing. the newly acquired expen- |
sive tastes remain. Living from hand |
to-mouth Is of course first step to-
ward crime. as necessity knows no |
law"
S. Thousands of men and women |
who were attracted to large business
centers by high wages during the war |
and who like the city life have refused |
to return to their original homes in 1
small towns and on farms Many of |
them are either unemployed or are
working discontently for wages insult !
ficient to satisfy their desires Such a |
situation Is, Of course, obviously crime
Z. Published reports OF enormous |
flotations OF Investment securities dur
Ing and after the war have made
many people think that they are not |
getting their share Of the nations
wealth and they nurse the thought as /
4 real grievance.
8. The doctrines of socialism,. boil /
etc, have furnished a false !
but potent excuse for many recent /
crimes. Education. although it is the
only sure road to national peace and /
seems just now, to be pro-
iucing a SUI prislng number OF human
beings who feel easier about doing
they know to be wrong If