Evening star., 1922-04-14
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Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
JOLIET. ILL.,. April 14.-Straight from
the heart Of the criminal world have
come the first concrete suggestions.
based on the knowledge and experience
steal, to murder. to be captured and
later again to face the world from the
, gates Of prison, for better law en-
forcement. =
"Cohvicts know more about crime
and its causes and the best way to pre-
v,nt II than all Of the lawyers in the
world" was the unanimous testimony
of seven criminals who told their stories
to the special law enforcement COM
mittee of the American Bar Associa-
tion. This committee has just con-
cluded its investigation in Illinois be-
hind the forbidding walls Of the local
state penitentiary.
Youthful evil associates, improper
home environment and more specifically
the lack of segregation In the jails OF
the country while awaiting trial were
indicted by these seven men, who also
recited the influence, that evil women
have In making criminals.
The first to tell his story. was
one-term criminal serving ten. years
at hard laSor for operating confidence
graduate. we'll proportioned and clear
eyed. number 69SS. indicated by his
general appearance why he had been a
| university prize winner.
Tell US what brings this wave of
, crime?" asked Judge Kavanaugh,
chairman of the committee.
Poor homes" snapped out the wit
ness his voice ringing with the modu-
lation of the trained orator.
Did you not have good homer
was asked.
mot the kind that makes real men,"
what was wrong with your homer"
81 was unhappy, there was nothing
there bu drudgery and geenral un-
happiness"
as that your explanation for your
present state?"
~ am afraid that it is.''
Friends and Home Blamed.
The second witness had served
| nearly forty years for murder. Be-
| fore he had settled himself in his
! chair. Judge Kavanaugh asked:
what is the most potent factor in
| causing crime. as you have found out
in your years of association with
! men brought to this prison?"
! "a young mans friends and his
home" was the reply uttered in a low
| tone that indicated careful weigh
| ing of the words. when young
fellow does not find pleasure and
comfort at home he hunts for it some
| other place, but he always finds the
\ wrong kind. When he doesn't get
| along well with his family he often
| finds his funds low. To keep up his
| end he stoops to pick up little loose
/ IL thA 1o~ MID
joins the gang to get help in keeping
out Of jail"
"But is there a cure for all this?''
asked Judge Kavanaugh.
Certainly, home life. A good COM
| Portable home will make a man out
his people are able to give him this"
The other witnesses were held
rather closely to their opinions re-
| garding the cure for the crime wave.
I Convict 4212. when asked to tell how
to stop the crime now sweeping the
country, had his solution ready. Ii
was written on a piece Of scratch
paper, from which he read.
Get judges" he suggested. who
will quit continuing cases and keep
ing boys of tender years, charged
with criminal offenses, in the county
and city jails. their only associates
old-timers, who tudor them in all they
need to know about the art of law
breaking. Then appeal directly to all
mothers and fathers in the nation to
make real homes for their boys and
girls and give the young a decent
chance there. If they will do this
there will be many less criminals"
Two men who were called to do so
because they learned that the COM
mittee was composed Of lawyers.
Its the crooked lawyers who
make criminals" they insisted, land
we wouldn't tell you anything you
| could hold US for"
The final Witness called by the
committee was nationally known
confidence man. who has served three
! terms in prison. His massive gray
head, square shoulders and lined face
gave him an air. of imposing dignity
as he sat and faced the committee.
How can we stop crime?" he was
asked.
Make the real criminal pay the
price and let the innocent man secure
his freedom so quickly he will not
tie JAIL" he replied. II know what
am talking about. say that If the
courts Of this country will deal out
justice Immediately to the suspect
the back Of the criminal organiza-
tion in the nation will have been
and the paid judges that are to
The committee comprised Judge
Marcus Kavanaugh of Chicago, chair
man; Charles w. Farnham, st. Paul;
Wade Ellis, Indianapolis; Judge w.
B. Swaney, Chattanooga; William
Saltiel and Rev. John Williamson of
Copyright. 1927