Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-05-22
A LITTLE sUPPosING

LITTLE SURPRISING
A little. supposing on the part OF
the public should do no harm oc-
casionally as there is not mucn GER
tainty of it's acting on its concur
sions, however sensible those may
be. So let us suppose the State OF
Maine had an office at the Capltol
kept open every hour of every DAY
In the year. as might be done by less
than half dozen persons, an once
to which would be sent messages
from all parts of the State respecting
crime in any locality. Suppose that
those on duty at this central office
were trained in criminology. There
is such a scientific study of crime
and criminals; there are those VINO
are trained therein who have special
aptitude for the work, a, faculty for
making correct deductions that are
very helpful in tracing criminals.
Moreover there is such thing as
system that really amounts to some
thing. There are those who In time
of emergency use their brains before
they do their feet, who keep cool
head, who are capable of directing
others.
Suppose that such facilities had
been assembled and in working order
last Wednesday morning. Suppose
certain parties in every community
had been instructed to give and re-
ceive messages pertaining to crime.
Then suppose that as the result OF
all this general alarm had been
sent out prospecting the tragedy at
Winthrop in the early morning Of
Wednesday. Suppose that through
out the day. and at all times since,
information had been received at the
central Office and instructions sent
out, would not such procedure have
been Of advantage? This notwith-
standing this case at Winthrop was
somewhat peculiar in lack Of clues.
With clues to work upon such a
clearing house Of information, such
a bureau of instruction, such board
Of capable advisers would be invalu-
able. but in all cases it would help.
Maine needs that sort of help.
There are reasons to expect aid from
the highway police but there are
limits to what it may do under pres
ent conditions. It has no experts in
criminology and it may be doubted
whether considering its many duties
other than attention to crime
It would be advantageous for
it to take over such duties as we
have supposed desirable.
The need is apparent. Who of all
the criminals that have adventured
into Maine in automobiles have ever
been brought to justice? How many
Of the perpetrators of mysterious
Maine murders have ever been ap-
pretended? And while it may be
found that the crime at Winthrop
Involves no one from out Of the
State, while in this particular in
stance such methods as we are sup
posing might not be of great help,
they could be of no disadvantage.
A central bureau properly equipped
rould do what ought to be done in all
ouch instances, throw a network
around the avenues Of escape, and
keep the public mind alert and help
direct it.
such an arrangement would not
build up a huge machine, would not
be expensive and -hould serve for
co-ordinating the facilities, we enow
have, to the best possible advantage.
Maine does not wish to build up an
overshadowing army of State police,
but it does need to use the means
at hand to the best advantage. Maine
people need to learn that, all the way
from smuggling booze to aiding and
abetting arson, crime, which is pro-
ductive of revenue to criminals Sc
cures in some way financial support,
In many instances is organized and
works under a system, sometimes
highly developed, that the organized
effort of those interested in
crime throughout the country serve
TO further its ends and protect its
membership. Under such conditions
the good sense of our people must
recognize the need of system and of
financial and moral support on be-
half Of law and order.
Or are we merely supposing?