The daily worker., 1925-01-25
MANY CRIMINALS
Mere BOYS, SAYS
N. Y. COMMISSION
Cannot Understand the
Crime Among Youth
BY Il. NJ. WIcKs.
tspeclaI to The Daily wOrker)

AoPSSiai 10 the DSiiy WorkcFD
NEW YORK, Jan. 23.-The
New York state commission Of
prisons, in a report just made
public, sets forth facts regard
ing an astonishing increase in
crime among boys, especially
dealing with boy criminals of
the larger cities.
John S. Kennedy, president OF
the commission, after making
public the findings of that body,
suggests that "some great
foundation" might make efforts
to overcome the alarming in
crease in crime among boys
from 16 to q years Of age.
Today in the Tombs prison, accord
Ing to the report, there are 122 boys,
16- to 18 years Of age, charged with
serious crimes. The report expresses
grave concern over the fact that the
boys assume an air of brsvado and
defiance which augurs badly for their
future usefulness as citizens"
Continuing, the report reveals e
constant increase in crime among
youths between 16 and q. A three
years survey shows figures for 1922
TO be 1850; 123, 1884 and for 1924
2,23S. These are confined exclusively
to crimes OF serious nature and do
not include midemeanors, petty Of
lenses, and disorderly acts.
GEOGRAPHY of Crime"
The report OF the commission en-
phasizes the fact that the youthful
criminals come from certain well-de-
fined areas in the city. The largest
single area furnishing this class Of
criminals is that section from Bat.
terry park to Thirty-seventh street on
the East Side; the next is from East
10th to East 12lst street; and the
third from 18th to Goth street on the
West Side.
Instead Of talking nonsense about
the geography of crime the state
prison commission would pursue a
more intelligent course by conducting
an economic survey of the condition
of the working class in these districts.
1t is precisely in these sections that
the poorest families of this seething
city live; IL is there that child labos
is widespread, that children are de
MED opportunities for elementary
educational pursuits. Permanently
undernourished, offspring of parents
whose lives are blighted by the dc.
mands of modern industry, many Of
the children In these sections die in
Infancy and early youth; some OF
them survive and become uncomplain
ing slaves. But among this strata o.
workers there are always a number
who are more aggressive than others
and with proper training would be.
come useful members OF society. De
MED elementary education and an op
to get out Of their miser.
able condition they endeavor to prey
upon society. And then the official
apologists for capitalism stand appal
led at the spectacle OF crime increase
among these unfortunates, and sug
gest a foundation supported by mer
Of wealth to investigate"
Instead OF writing reports on the
geography OF crime" the commission
would get closer to the problem by
the economic conditions OF
the families from which these Grim
Inals spring.
But then those who point to the
economic foundation OF crime are de.
famers OF the home, contamptuous
Of law and order" and. anyway, Il
would be against religion. which holf
that all crime is the result Of beinf
possessed OF a devil. Furthermore
such people are quito likely 10 be
and they. as everyone
knows. assail the foundations OF all
our glorious NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
faila