Evening star., 1927-11-02
The National Crime Problem.

Inc National CTlme 1IoUIcIn'
One of the subjects to be discussed
by the National Crime Commission at
Its meeting in this city beginning to-
day is that of the criminal fence. In
the conviction, as Chairman Child
states in his opening address-read
by proxy in his unavoidable absence
from the meeting-that the "brazeniy
open operations of the receivers and
sellers of stolen goods are responsible
for practically all the thefts of mer-
chandise on a large scale in this coun.
try and are directly responsible for the
many murders incidental thereto" the
commission has named a special COM
mittee of men prominent in the COM
mercial activities of the country to
take up the framing of legislation to
suppress this traffic.
Wholesale thievery of merchandise
has become veritable industry. The
character and amount of goods taken
signify clearly that market for such
loot is always available to the thieves.
Within a few hours such theft has
occurred in this city. A local shop
was entered by thieves and was
stripped of goods worth $4,000. in
ciuding fur coats, scarfs and dresses.
1t stands to reason that this mate.
rial cannot be disposed OF by the
thieves themselves unless through an
IL
fact, known that such clearing houses
exist in the large cities, that they
supply the trade with stock. So firm
" intrenched in political power and
influence are these establishments in
certain places that police activities
against them are checked at the point
OF action and nothing is done to break
up this traffic, which is costing the
country an immense sum and Incl
dentally is leading. as stated by Chair
man Child, to many crimes OF vio-
Ience.
Legislation may not reach the GRIM
Inal fence If he has the protection OF
political influences. But agitation of
the question through the National
Crime Commission and local commits
sions working in cooperation with 1t
may so arouse public interest in this
subject that legislation will be effec-
tive.
The cost of wholesale thievery goes
hack to the buyers of goods. In most
cases the merchants are protected by
Insurance. The cost of that insurance
goes into the retail price Of the wares
dealt in by the firm. The losses to the
insurance compa nies in turn go back
into the rates for insurance. which
thus pile up on the buyers in vicious
circle
There Is no possibility of determin-
ing the total volume Of goods thievery
in this country. Indeed the lack OF &C.
curate crime statistics is one Of the
most serious handicaps checking the
work of crime correction and preven-
ton. This likewise will be a subject
of discussion at the meeting OF the
national commission. So incomplete.
i 30 sketchy. in fact, are the records
In the States with reference to the
commission of crime and punishments
administered that it is today impos-
sibIe to determine whether there Is an
increase or relatively a decrease In
the amount and cost OF lawbreaking
and in the penalties inflicted. Some
time ago an effort was made to Sc
cure through an established research
bureau in New York City compila.
ton of these figures. After prelim.
mary study the report was made that
fl would cost a million and half OF
dollars to gather approximately full
statistics from about three-fourths OF
the States in the Union for one year.
Uniform legislation is necessary to
effect the correction of this grave ma.
tionai evil. II must aim at stand.
ardization OF the laws and the prac-
tices in the States. 1t Is TO secure
this codification, so to speak, OF the
criminal laws OF the country that the
National Crime Commission is now
conducting it's invaluable work in pro-
motion of which this present meeting
In being held.