The New York herald., 1921-09-19
CRIME RISK BOOST
BLAMED ON POLICE
Continued from First Page.

I -----------------
Of their business. Secretary Cluff of the
association which closely binds the thir-
ty-three concerns that do the great bulk
Of the business in this country, stated
| that he was bound In honor to with
hold all facts and figures. and the repre-
sentatives OF various concerns in the
| association promptly corroborated his
| statement
| Why the mystery and the secrecy?
| The answer is that the burglary in
surance people do not care to antagonize
the municipal powers that be. There
are innumerable ways and means, many
Of them very petty and childish. that
can be employed by city authorities
and police especially in satisfying re-
sentiment against critics Of police eff
cheney. Hard experience has taught this
lesson to the concerns and has impelled
them to a bond OF secrecy about their
business. Otherwise, THE NEW York
HERALD's investigation appeared to
show there was not single reason why
every fact and table OF figures in pos
session Of Secretary Cluh and of the
individual companies should not be
spread before the puplic. As matter
of fact. two important insurance men
made that very statement.
I'VE simply feel 1t is advisable not to
/
these said 1T doesn't pay
| Does that mean." the reporter asked.
that the facts and figures you withhold
would show police work in a bad light?"
1T means just that" said the insur-
ance man, laconicaly. 1T would show
that the police recover a small percent
age of stolen property and they take
little or no interest in the frauds that
are practised upon US In the way OF
fake burgiaries and manufactured
claims"
"what Is the percentage OF such re-
coveries by the police I'm insurance ex-
perienceT''
Less than per cents said the ex-
ecutive. Nearer / u per cent"
What are the factors that have
caused burglary insurance to jump 100
per cent. in few years?" the reporter
asked.
MY experience" the insurance man
replied. leads to the conclusion that
crime waves so called are non-exist-
| cnt. BY that is meant that there is no
relation between the position of the sun
or the moon or any atmospheric condi-
+, ton and the mental or physical condi-
| ton OF the criminal that would have
any relation to crime conditions Eco
nomic conditions and opportunity alone
| determine the value OF crime. We have
been going through economic conditions
! that lead to many crimes or violence
and against property.
why crime Increases.
These conditions we're brought about
! by:
The high cost OF all necessaries
Of life.
| The decreased earning power OF
labor as compared with former
4 periods. together with the necessity
of readjustment of expenditures ana
l living methods.
The decrease In demand for labor
and the decrease In demand for office
I help. a good many burglars and
sneak thieves OF the present day are
white collar men," unable to get
agreeable employment and too proud
to take to manual labor.
The infusion into our economic
life OF n vast number OF men who
were imbued with a spirit OF restless
ness and recltlessness In military ser
vice. and many OF whom. out OF en-
ployment. cherish a grudge against
society and an easy disposition
toward criminal,ty.
The tolerant attitude or the courts
IN dealing with criminals that have
seen military service, ana the general
disposition OF courts to impose ridi-
cuously easy sentences Along with
this ia tendency toward making
punitive institutions social clubs In
stead OF prisons, SO that many bur-
glars do not In the least mind Being
sent 20 Sing Sing for a year or two
for free theatrical entertainment
congenial society. easy work and
ample food.
Lessened respect for law due to
poor enforcement OF the voistead
act, the ability Of the we'll TO do to
get liquor at all times while the poor
find II difficult or impossible and a
curious public dstaste for this special
law which reacts AGAINST aii Law on
forcemcnt. especially in the biz cities