Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-04-07
Outdoor Prison for First Offenders

Washington, April Ever since
selling liquor became illegal In the.
United States, prohibitionists and
those holding tho opposite Wow have
been moro or less continuously en-
gagged 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.
II may be that the figures mean
IittIc, II anything. so far as liquor
Is concerned. II is the general BELIEF
that until tho sale OF liquor Is really
stopped, II this can be done, figures
for offenses Ike drunkenness and DIS
orderly conduct due to liquor are not
much of an indication OF better or
worse conduct OF the public under the
restrictions OF tho Volstead law.
Those who have made study OF
crIminology know that there are
many factors which enter into tho
cause of court convictions. For In
| stance, every veteran policeman
knows that still, hot nights mean an
Increase in fights and minor disor-
ders. This is explained simply by the
| fact that I'm congested sections or
cities people are driven out OF doors
to seek come relief from tho heat.
Such a night will drive some men
and women, too. for that matter--lnto
4 state of mind comparable 10 a class
room full OF hysterical girls. But in
stead OF taking out this feeling in
| nervous laughter eliminating in a
food Of tears, general irsscibility.
leading 10 quarrels and fights, Is
the result.
These are minor offenses-rnisde-
rneanors. general and great in
crease in crime cannot be put down
tossuch simple causes. And, whatever
the cause, there has been a big in
crease in tho more serious ofrenses
datlng from about the end of actual
hostiiities abroad
Complete records Tor tho whole
country, showing offenses for which
convictions have been secured. would
require a great deal Of time and fai
moro space than 81 availa bic. Any
effort 20 trace down the causes Ot
hnfh q EtFtN HdAAAOfi "a IStfF 1911
for real crimes - virtually sn i'm
possibility Doubtless unemployment
mas something 10 do with &. The ma
,ional let down" from the stimuIu
and erc!iment Of the war. particular
+ among younger men, may be a con
, % outing factor. Whatever the cause
ara. IL Is fact that the Fedora
, PRISONS throughout the country ar
practically full 70 capacity.
. Hard 10 Find Jail Room.
Thus the Federal Government
' faced with housing problem for Of
=. tenders against Federal statutes.
!, has been found that X the wave
- crime continues at the pitch II IA
= maintained more or less steadily Il
= many months. there will be no plaS
> to put the convicted law breakers.
!, the attention Of Attorney Gener
the attention OF Attorney Gener
IA Daugherty, and by him taken up wit
? President Harding himself The
d two, on their recent Florida trip. ga
5. this subject serious thought and ha'
= about agreed on a plan for the a
n tempted rehabilitation OF some OF q
Il offenders, which will have the a
ID ditional effect OF relieving the congo
II ton in Federal prisons to son
al extent.
IS Il may be that by the time y
al article is published announcement "
have been made from the White Hou
or the Department Of Justice Of I
Inauguration OF this plan. The idea
to secure one Of tho former Art
camps and convert It into a Cover
ment reservation for the mental a
ed moral reconstruction OF Federal
IT. tenders who are not hardened !
er habitual criminals.
e. Agreement between the Preside