The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-01-29
EXPERT TELLS OF
CRIME AND CURE
DR.. w. ]. Hickson Explains
New Crime Theory Be-
fore KenOshans.
WANT UNDERSTANDING
Urges New Means of Combat
ing Crime in an Address
Before Luncheon Clubs.


Kenoshans were given a frst-hand
version Of the new crime theory that
is beginning to revolutionize the
workings of justice in the courts at
a joint meeting of the Kiwanis, Opti
mist and Rotary clubs in the Elks'
club ON Tuesday evening. DR.. Will
liam j. dickson, head of the psy-
chopathic laboratory of the Chicago
Municipal court, addressed the meet
ing. DR.. Hickson has for the past ten
years been recognized as an authority
in the treatment of mental detectives
brought to the surface through the
courts of the city of Chicago, and his
observations and conclusions have
been evolved into. theory of crime
and its treatment that is revolution
izing that field today. That Keno
shans were able to hear of the latest
developments from the man who has
been responsible for them was indeed
fortunate, and the interesting as we'll
as Entertaining and educational ad-
dress of DIR. Hickson left an impress
sion in Kenosha that may lead to some
definite action as a direct result of
his recommendations.
Crime, according to Dr.. Hickson, is
caused by a physical defect of the
brain. Only two per cent of the popu-
lation are represented in the criminal
class, but that small minority are so
far below normal in emotion that it
has little or no conscience, or so far
above normal in emotions as to make
it Historically Irresponsible This
discovery originally expounded by DR..
dickson and Judge Harry Olson, chief
justice of the Chicago Municipal court,
was the subject upon which DR.. Hick-
son dwelt in his address here.
Cost Brings Problem Home.
"Crime is the most expensive luxury
we have" declared DR.. Hickson. "It
is luxury, because we can get along
without it, and it certainly isn't a
necessity. In the state of Illinois SO
per cent of the taxes contributed by
the citizens of the state go for the
support of those institutions and
agencies which have to do with the
detection and punishment Of crime. It
costs Chicago $16,000,000 a year to
support its criminal courts. When
we realize the cost to us individually
then it comes home to us more fore
IDLY.
what to do is the question now.
We know that crime can be prevented
now because we know what makes
men commit them. The cause of their
crimes is emotional insanity. And
we know three facts about emotional
insanity that we did not know before
81. That emotional insanity is
nearly always inherited.
so. That emotional insanity is in
durable.
IS. That emotional insanity can
now be positively diagnosed and &C
curately measured.
an the light of these developments
we find that if we do certain things
we take new step toward putting
these into effect. First, humanize oul
penology by abolishing our prisons
These barbarous cages of stone anc
steel are relics of our old ideas o.
punishment.
an their place, provide guarded farm
colonies, where these pathetic victims
may. live, a civilized life where they
cannot further modest society an'
where they will be segregated as t
sex and prevent the propagation o
their kind. Second, commit these
incurably insane people to these farms
for life.
History of Cases Same.
'sTn my work / have personally come
IN contact with 10000 cases that W.