Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-08
RESPECT FOR laws
aGED BY GIBSON
Submits Reports on Crime
Situation Covering Lead
ing Cities of World.

The District of Columbia with $780,
900 population had SO homicides in
1925, while New York City had $40
llonticides and 1000 robberies, and in
contrast. the city of London with g.
0O0, boo people reported II murders and
% 1obberies, according to Representa-
tiveI Gibson of Vermont, chairman OF
the special subcommittee which is now
drafting a report on an intensive study
of the Municipal Government of the
Nat onal Capital.
In extension of remarks in the Con-
greSbional Record on THE Crime Sit
uatibn," Mr.. Gibson referred to recent
speeches in the House on prohibition
and the shooting of youthful rum
runner, who was using smoke screen,
by a Washington policeman and de-
clared that instead of criticising laws
the American people should take stock
and see what could be done toward
putting down the rising tide of crime"
World Records Cited.
In comparing the crime situation in
this country with the records from
other parts of the world. based on
Chicago, Mr.. Gibson said, in part:
1--WE had in this country for the
year 1927. $4,000 homicides, $4,000 rob-
berries, and $4,000 burglaries. New York
CITY reported 366 homicides, nearly
1000 robberies, and $500 burglartes.
The record for the city of Chicago
shows Alb homicides, more than 3.OOO
robberies, and 1000 burglaries. The
average number of homicides in this
country for the past Is years mas oeen
above 5000 each year.
"The homicide mortality has increased
in the country from 81 per cent 100, 900
In 1900 to in 1915, to 6.5 in 1924, 10
1O.7 in 1927. The greatest increase
was In the period from 1900 to 1918.
These figures disclose an amazing pic
ture of our drift into crime and grow
ing contempt for the sanctity OF human
life.
"In the matter of homicides italy Is
our nearest rival, with the possible eX-
cention of Mexico. In Italy the average
is about S per 100000. In England
the average is less than / per 100000.
The population of England and wales
Is about SO 100000 The average num-
her of homicides for the past five years
has been 268, as against more tnan
5000 in this country. For every deatn
by homicide in England ana wales
there occurred proportionately 16 in this
country. For every robbery in England
there occurred proportionately 30 IN
this country. Japan reports about $50
homicides each year. For every one IN
Japan we have proportionately 10 in
this country.
Other Comparisons Feature.
"Other comparisons are interesting.
New York City had $40 homic1deS In
1925 and more than 1000 robberles.
The District of Columbia, with 100000
people is credited with SO homicides.
During the same year the city of Lon
don, with 100000, reported II muir
ders and % robberies. The city OF Ber-
lin reports about 40 murders each year.
The city Of Paris had only SO in 1924.
the last year for which have returns.
Canada, with a population about equal
to that of the city Of New York, re-
ported SO homicideS. against $40 in the
American metropolis. Let US bear In
is creditable in comparison with other
American cities, since the average NOR
tally by homicide is about half the
average of the country nj large.
"Thirty-nine thousand people were
robbed in the United States In 1927.
For the same year only $50 were re-
ported for England and only rs for
France. An average Of 5000 homtcideS
per year would make leo, 900 victims OF
killers in 20 years, and an average OF
$4,000 robberieS per year would produce
100000 victims in the same period
of time.
This is not all. OF far less i'm
portance is the money cost of crime,
but that is of such staggering proper
tions as to challenge belief. The con-
senSus of experts is that crime takes a
toll of from 10 to is million dollars
annually from the people of this coun-
try. We can not comprehend the
magnitude of such sums.
IF our criminals would lay of for
two years, we could cancel all the war
debts and be billions of dollars ahead.