Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-02

\VER since American gangSCerS began
~ to monopolize the limelight cures and
~ panaceas have been offered by crimi-
w biologists, penologists, iurists and
social theorists Excellent as these
were it would take several generations to see
any definite results. While it is comforting TO
know that our descendants may be safe and
happy patriotic and worried citizens OF TO-DAY
would like to see a little immediate action
To them the solution suggested by Lord
Castlerosse, son of the Earl of Kenmare and
famous London journalist, may have great
appeal. For not only is it simple remedy,
involving little expense, but quick results are
asserted to be forthcoming. He would set up
the whipping post and use the cat o'-nine-tailS
There is nothing like a real good old
fashioned fogging to brighten criminal no
matter what type he isl said his lordship. "A
criminal may hold his life lightly and not care
when he is killed. After all, he figures that he
has to leave this world some time. But put him
in q ridiculous position, where he is logged in
front of the public, and he'll stink away hu-
inflated And humiliation is one thing he
can't stand"
Lord CaStleroSse, who came to New York to
cover the yacht and polo races and to visit
old friends, is about as different from the usual
conception of an Englishman, particularly a
titled one, be imagined. He rather
reminds one of the breezy Westerners He is a
tall man with a very friendly, unassuming
manner and a quick, hearty laugh. He is
always ready to regale one with stories he has
picked up on his many travels. He enjoys a
reputation for being one Of the most democratic
Of men, and it isn't surprising to find that he
has host of friends in every corner of Europe
Perhaps nowhere Is his democratic spirit so
evident as in his writings. He says exactly
what he thinks and shows no partiality
His suite in one of the small exclusive hotels
IN New York was scene of constant activity
tn tn n hi
was continually going to the door for messages
and packages, and the telephone was ringing
necessarily. At one moment Lord Castlerosse
was talking to prominent society leader in
Newport, the next he was testing with Samuel
Goldwyn and Douglas Fairbanks in HOLLYWOOD
Inc whole atmosphere was very gay and party
nke-a feeling that he seems to create no mat
Ter where he may be.
In between telephone calls he managed tn
forget his surroundings and give his attention
70 the interview. Because of his freouent visits
TO America he is familiar with the crime situa-
ton and quite interested in it, AS famous
journalist he has had opportunities to study
the underworld of Europe and to know some
thing of criminal psychology
Il have known the gunner, the French
apaches. the thugs and gangsters of other
countries" he said, land one of the things I
have learned is that gangsters the world over
are exactly the same. They are dull lot that
come from the dregs Of the earth. No in
Europe regards them in any other light.
But here in America you have created a
halo Of romance about them. Your newspaper
men and your fiction writer's treat crime as
though it were a romantic thing. They play up
the gangster as a courageous fellow with a
master mind-one who is a sort of superman.
And that is entirely false picture of him.
FIRST Of all gangsters aren't really as coura-
geous people believe them to be. No man
can be courageous unless he has a good con-
science. What's more, you can't get man to
tight unless he earnestly believes in his cause.
It Is this combination which makes him brave
and daring And no gangster can ever fervent-
ly believe in his cause"
But" commented the interviewer "the gang
sters certainly act as though they were ex-
tremely bold and fearless"
That's because they take dope of some kind"
he replied. when they are under its influence
they are indifferent to danger or death. Take
1t away from them and you will find that they
are cowardly, despicable creatures whom a good
hogging will send crawling to a safe corner.
Many years ago England had an epidemic of
robberies. People were held up in broad day
light and robbed. A law was passed making
that type of robbery under arms punishable by
dogging. 1t wasn't very long before these rob-
berries beEame unknown in England
-Of course what complexities matters here