Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-04-07
CRIMINALS ARE
MCARCERA7ED
OUTDOORS NOW
BY FREDERIC j. HasKIy,

BY FREDERIC j. HASKIN.
Washington, April 6.-Ever since
selling of liquor became Illegal in
the United States prohibitionists
and those holding the opposite view
have been more or less continuous
ly engaged in hurting figures at
each other to prove that crime has
increased or decreased. according
to which side has the floor since
the Inauguration of the so-called
dry era.
1t may be that the figures mean
little, if anything, so far as liquor is
concerned, 1t is the general belief
that until the sale of liquor really
is stopped, if this can be done, fig
ures for Offenses like drunkenness
and disorderly conduct due TO
liquor are not much of an indlca-
ton of better or worse conduct or
the public under the restrictions of
the Volstead law.
Those who have made study of
criminology know that there are
many factors which enter into the
cause of court convictions. For
instance, every veteran policeman
knows that still. hot nights mean
an increase in fights and minor
disorders. This is explained simply
by the fact that in congested Sec
lions of cities people are driven
ont of doors to seek relief from the
heat. Such a night will drive some
men-and women. too. for that
matter-into a state of mind COM
parable to a class room full of
historical girls. But instead of
taking out this feeling IN nervous
laughter eliminating in flood of
tears, general Feasibility. leading
to uuarrels and fights. Is the result.
These are minor offenses-m
demeanors. A general and great
increase in crime cannot bes put
down to such simple causes. And,
whatever the cause. there has been
a big increase in the more serious
offenses. dating from about the end
of actual hostilities abroad
| Complete records for the whole
country, showing offenses for which
convictions have been secured,
would require a great deal OF time
| and far more space than is avail
able. Any effort to trace down the
causes of such a great NUMBER OF
convictions for real crimes is Vlr-
/ tually an impossibility. Doubtless
/ ACKNOWLEDGEMENT has something to DO
with it. The national "let down
from the stimulus and excitement
of the war. particularly among
younger men, may be a contrlout-
ing factor. Whatever the causes
are, it is a fact that the federal
prisons throughout the country are
practically full to capacity.
Hard TO Find Jail Room.
Thus the federal government is
faced with a housing problem Tor
offenders against federal statutes.
II has been found that If the wave
of crime continues at the pltch II
has maintained more or less stead
ily for many months, there VIII be
no place to put the convicted law
| breakers.
The situation has been brought
tn the attention of Attorney Cen
eral Daugherty, and by nm taken
mn with President Harding himself.
These two, on their recent floilua
trin. gave this subject serious
Thought and have about agreed Oh
a plan for the attempted rehaplll-
ltation of some of the oftenders'
which will have the additional Ell
feet of relieving the congestion III
federal prisons to some extent
1t may be that by the time thls
article is published announcement
will have been made from tne
White House or the department Oh
Justice of the inauguration OF TINS
Milan. The idea is to secure one oL
1.-The former army camps and convert
lit into a government reservation LOT
The mental and moral reconstruc-
ltion of federal offenders VINO are
not hardened nor habitual GRIM
inals. ~, s;
Agreement between the presl'
dent and his attorney general mas
reached the point, it is understood
where the plan is bound 10 go
through unless some obstacle now
unforeseen should arise. 1t is I'M
derstood that the site of Camp
Grant. at Rockford, Illinois, mas
been chosen for this governmental
experiment in redeeming youthful
Offenders against federal statutes.
and first offenders. regardless Oh
age.
Old Ideas Discarded.
Years ago 1t was found that SOL
itary confinement is a barparous
thing, often leading to mental oe-
terioration, even to insanity. In
prisons nowadays attention Is gwen
10 exercise and work with Whlcii
TO occupy the minds of the prison.
ers. Baseball and open air sports
have their place in the schedule OF
activities of most. if not all, IN
stitutions Of this kind.
In the proposed experiment a.
Camp Grant, the first offenders
and youthful criminals will be
taken a step further, and a soien-
Itific effort made to eradicate GRIM,
inal tendencies and make useful
members Of society Of these men
who have strayed from the stralght
and narrow path. or lost their toot-
ling at some slippery place.
The main point in the system