The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1929-05-21
Judge A. C. BGchus,
American Crime Study Connptssion,
Stevens Hotel, Chicago, Ill.,:

THERE are two influences which erime-hersdity
and environment
There are two influences which determine human
Enthusiastically and environment
There are two influences which determine practically
EVERY ACT AND IMPULSE OF HUMANITY-heredity
and environment
We can determine environment; that belongs to the
PRESENT "
mean the influences Of heredity are active once the
individual has been brought into the world.
There may come time when we win understand the
principles of eugsncs better than do ct present and
when may be able scientifically to prevent mismatng
and the consequent inheritance Of evil undesirable traits
and Characterization that then in sense questions Of
hersdy may be determined before the child is brought
into the world.
BUT WE DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT AN HOUR in order
to be able to improve the surroundings and circumstances
the ENVIRONMENT, which Is the second great creator
Of character.
And when say second ] do not second in impOr
lance but merely second in in the development
Of this argument.
To nv mind environment is immensely more important
in out Of than herediy in the creation Of
character and the determination Of the OF the ind
vidual
In previous article illustrated what by saying
that twin babies had found their way into founding
asylum and one infant had been taken Of the asylum
by reputable family and brought up in reputable
vironment it would in all likelihood become reputable
citizen. .s
While the other taken out Of the asylum by family
of criminals and brought up in criminal environment
would undoubtedly come to think and act as criminal
~
to reputable influence should become criminal and
child subjected to criminal influences should become rspu
table citizen.
The lesser influence Of heredy and the greater nflu
ence Of environment be illustrated in larger and
nearly national way.
America and Australia were populated in their very
earliest stages in great part by elements which
dered less undesirable in the older countries Of
Europe which these elements voluntarily and adventurousy
left or from which they were fOrcibly expelled
And yet these countries have become the progressive
in the world he most highly developed in intelligence
throughout the Of the people, and in the main the
most moral and the most consecraed to the highest ideals
Of the highest civilization.
What has become Of the descendants the irresponsible
advenurers the capgrace the bond servants the
kedemptonists and the ndenured madens the undesira
bes and even the criminals which made up-not ALL Of
course but nevertheless considerable parf the earliest
emgrants to these virgin countries7
Ihey have become the leaders Of the thought of the
world the vanguard in the march of progress the nspers
Of liberty the creators Of national prosperity the sponsors
OF universal education and enlightenment
The IRREsP0NsIBLES have become RESPONSIBLE
for about all that makes life worth living.
The NARROW-MINDED BIGoTs have given to this
country and to the world freedom of speech freedom Of
thought and action, and religious liberty.
The CRIMINALS have helped to establish even-handed
justice and equality before the law.
What has become Of heredty?
has become modified by environment and liberaized
by opportunity.
Those elements which got away bad start because