New-York tribune., 1921-12-08
Bandits Upper Hand
Sullivan Law Largely to Blame,
Says William T. Hornaday

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Surely it now is apparent to
all readers of newspapers that the
criminal laws Of the United States
generally, and particularly the crimi-
nal laws of the State of New York.
not only are held in contempt by
criminals, but in certain respects thew
actually encourage crime. 1t seems to
me quite impossible to regard the rise,
progress and firm intrenchment of
banditry in our midst as anything else
than direct result of our weak and
spineless criminal laws.
1t seems to be the general opinion
among men with whom / have dis
cussed this question that the Sullivan
law is largely to blame for the very
successful bandit industry, and for
my own part believe that this is true.
The blackjackers, the gunmen and the
cutthroats are the only ones who are
permitted to carry dangerous weapons,
and all the members of the criminal
element are abundantly supplied.
say permitted" because the law does
rot stop them. 1t does, however, stop
the honest citizen from providing him
self with adequate means by which to
protect his own life and property.
Yesterday and to-day the New York
newspapers reported a ghastly illus
tration of the practical working of the
Sullivan law. A citizen named Nicholas
Geissler, who was in possession of a
weapon OF defense against bandits
though quite contrary to law-most
commercially shot and killed bandit
who was beating and robbing his
neiChbor, delicatessen proprietor at
so Greenwich Avenue. The outcries of
the victim brought Mr.. Geissler, and
Mr. Geissler killed the bandit before
the bandit was able to kill him.
Magistrate Ryttenberg yesterday, in
considering the complaint against
Geissler said: "You are very brave
man, and I take pleasure in discharg-
ing you for what you did to the
bandit" AT the same time, however.
in accordance with the statutes of the
State Of New York, the magistrate
held Mr.. Geissler for trial in Special
Sessions for violation of the Sullivan
act, IN owning a revolver without a
permit. In other words, the magis-
trate felt in duty bound to discharge
Mr. Geissler for the killing of the
bandit, but he felt compelled to make
tho Snlliun, low ,.ij
ing Mr.. Geissler up to be tried for .hav-
ing the means at hand by which to
perform a brave and useful act.
L insist that it is high time for
Governor Miller, the Legislature of
the State of New York and the legal
fraternity Of New York City to arouse
themselves to the dangers and the
absurdlties Of the present bandit sit
uation and put On the statute books
of New York State, with the least pos
sible delay, law, with teeth and claws
to it, which will first Of all enable the
honest citizen to protect himself &C
cording to law. In the second place
1T should provide such punishment for
the few bandits who are caught that
the fear of the law and its punish
ments will be instiled in the hearts
Of the members of the new profession.
III the men of New York cannot do
this, then it is up to the women to try
their hand. They certainly could not
make worse mess of the situation
than the men have done.
WILLIAM r. HORNADAY.
New York, Dec. 6, 1921.