Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-10-08
THIS Is WAR;

THIS Is WAR;
Thirty more automopiles
were reported stolen in Greater Bos-
ton during the past twenty-four hours
bringing the list since last Friday
night to $50. OF the thirty-seven,
twelve were taken from points outside
Boston and ten were recovered DUR
ing the night, leaving net loss OF
twenty-seven machines"
This Is a bit Of Tuesdays news from
Boston. But Boston. with three in
fernal murders within the week none
Of which were essential to the robber-
les accompanying them. need not
wonder. And there were rs deaths
of automobilists in Massachusetts, by
accident the week before. All this in
. comparatively small part of this
great country. One need not be sur
prised that member of the Massa-
chusetts House introduced on Tues
day bill to fix upon 20 years i'm
prisonment for all committing rob-
berry under arms-always provided OF
course that they are caught, that the
jury agrees on their guilt. And don't
overlook the opportunity for pardon.
a power that has become public
menace because of its misuse, and
which in sense defies the work of
courts.
A subscriber, a reader of the news
papers, is moved by these things to
come in and remark: These are
perilous times. Do you recall where
it is said In the last days perilous
times shall come ?"
An eminent lawyer who declared:
IAN armed instruction confronts So
ciety and the lawful rights Of those
who constitute it," evidently knew
what he was talking about. On every
side evidence Is thrust upon us that
the underworld has declared war
upon the upper, that it holds in con-
tempt the piffiing efforts of those on
: whom have been laid responsibility
of maintaining law and order.
A minimum sentence of 20 years for
gunner does not seem to us excess
sive; every one Of them knows when
he arms himself that he is a potential
murderer, that he is seeking occasion
where he may need to shoot to exc
cute his criminal purpose. Indeed, it
would not seem to US at all excessive
II that sentence might be prefaced by
hundred lashes on the criminals bare
back, for he plainly shows that he has
only contempt for our namby -pamby
methods with criminals.
A prison physician out Of his twelve
years experience tells us that drug
addiction and girls dress are re-
sponsible for 60 per cent. of the crime.
He declared that 20 per cent Of the
criminals passing under his super
vision have at one stage or another
used drugs. He would send the drug
addicts to a hospital rather than to
a prison though he admits the addict
will do anything to get the drug. and
really Is suffering from mental dis
ease. He does not seem to consider
that mentality might be helped by a
shock other than that afforded in
hospital, shock that might impress
his weak will with stimulus toward
self protection.
There are others who tell US that
home training is what Is needed. and
there II not the slightest doubt about
the need. Others say religion must
be the cure-all. but what is to be
done while the outlaw is getting re-
ligion? There are others who say
capital punishment is needed. Always
there are those who think in terms
Of some cure-all. Kill Off the criminal
and then fold our hands and rest?
Who's to do it? Not the juries, evil
IDENTIFY. They are very reluctant to
sentence to death. and there is plenty
Of evidence that this reluctance leads
to injustice. Most will admit they
would prefer death to life imprison-
ment were 1t not for expectancy of
pardon, but why should we permit
this expectancy?
Out Of the clamor Of suggestion, the
confusion Of the agitation that has
been aroused, certain feaures are
salient and should not escape atten-
ton.
One is. the lawless do not respect
law and do despise authority. An
other il that those who want what
they want when they want it have de-
clared their intention of getting it.
Still another, criminals consort in or
ganzed efforts, the organization OF
which is often more effective than the
organized efforts. Of society.
Let US agree there is need of home
training and seek 1t: need Of religion
and contribute to It; need Of enforce
mont and help It: need Of restraint on
drugs and work for It.
We may 80 so far as to admit that
these may be the last days with the
perilous times accompanying them,
but what shall be done meanwhile?
When an army ID under fire it first
recognizes that war is on.
War by criminals on society has
been declared. Don't forget 1t. Do as
you did In the last war. bend your
backs to It. give Of your utmost eff
fort.
The country has walked up to the
fact that II 1t IL to enforce the pro-
hibitory law It must war upon it with
ample facilities and the best minds at