The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-08-07

caprices, others not being appre-
hended. Loeb and Leopold, together
or in gang form, robbed their fra
telnity house at Ann Arbor, Mich,
and fially defective emotions led
them on until, reveling in weird ex-
periences, they victimized their lit
tie neighbor boy. Each sought pro-
suspected at home. Richard Loeb 5
beautiful eyes and childish person
ality made him appealing to his
friends, and as is the case in all
escapades, he sought and found pro-
lection in suspicion not being di-
rected toward him. until his sphere
Of trickery and criminality enlarged
and he set trap for himself, into
which both boys accidentally fell
Chance of Escape
The higher the mental power, the
stronger the boyse chances Of escape,
mental fashioning and planning be-
ing a great asset to emotional de-
feat. Leopold, with the more power
full mentality. put on the brakes to
steady the job. but he was in the
throes Of gang leader" and was
the slave of the king" Loeb, he
worshipped, and with whom he some
times quarreled and very often child
ed, because OF the infirmities which
he leopold could see in his leader
Loeb. but which he could not in
terpret psychologically, because his
years had not been meilowed by ex-
perience and because Of his faith n
his leader. Leopold's faith and strict
adherence to his leader made him
weak. Loeb's absolute dependence
upon Leorold's character, superiority
and dependability made him bold
So it is with all gangs Gangs sell
dom commit murders when there has
been no positive offense. but in this
case defective brain control, super
induced by powerful mentality,
brought about the idea of commit
ting some great. some unusual, thing
into which many people would be
drawn and would perform dramatic
parts and only the wise minds of the
perpetrators would enjoy the pano-
rama.
Gangs burn buildings, steal auto
mobiles, rob banks and terrorize
communities. Gangs live in a gang
world and have a gang conscience,
swearing allegiance to each other in
a most remarkable manner, and peo-
pie should study the cause to remove
the trouble instead of inficting pun
ishment without mercy.
VIII Cause Study
One hundred years ago England
hanged q child for petty thefts and
Americas early laws were contami-
mated with stocks" for punishment
for children, witchcraft abounded
and our grandparents were years in
breaking the seals of ignorance and
settling matters on a scientific basis.
This unprecedented MURDER affair
in Chicago will awaken people to a
deeper and more consistent study of
child life. Many homes wearing
high sounding titles, have within
! their dominion helpless children, of
| the abnormal, subnormal, neurotic OF
exceptional type and the parents
have no conception of either the
cause or the remedy.
Mothers have long been divided
into two distinct elements, the class
that has been attracted to domestic
duties and permitted their children
to grow in "Topsy" fashion and
struggle to keep them clothed and
fed; and the class that have had
social prestige and money and kept
a governness and had wine in the
cellar and Dissertation in the draw
ing room. Gypsy Smiths father in
a gypsy camp, with a Bible in his
hand, and thought in his head,
might be cited as living example
OF keeping children's minds taut.
Too much money expended with
out thought or restraint has been re-
sponsible FOR many boys downfall