Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-20

Recent pay roll robberies which rep
resent q continuing loss to American
business have drawn widespread atten-
ton to the recommendation by COM
mittee Of the National Crime Commits
sion that employees be paid by check
Imperfection is conceded in the plan,
particularly through, tie burden that
would be imposed on the banks. and
the danger Of forgery, but many OBJ
servers suggest that trial OF the sys-
tenn would determine its value.
1--WE are forced to the admission that
the moral and spiritual forces OF the
Nation have broken down and their
influence and power have failed TO
reach the elements from which the
criminal classes are recruited" declares
the Chattanooga Times, stating that
"the check system may prevent the
robbery Of industrial pay rolls, but 1t
will not prevent the robbers from in
venting and pursuing other methods OF
cludes that reliance upon laws for the
healing of the Nation Is only fatuous
form Of social complacency, and unless
buttressed by a strong moral and
spiritual sense Of public responsibility
will only lead us further into trouble.
Receiving payment by check" ac-
cording to the New York Sun, lis q
simple matter for employees who have
bank accounts. 1t is not so simple for
many who do not. Intelligent en-
ployers with proper regard for the well
fare of their workers have been able
to make satisfactory arrangements
with banks so that pay checks can be
expeditiously cashed. Banks usually
are glad to go to considerable trouble
to give this service. If it were only a
question of dealing with employers of
this kind the change recommended by
the Moley subcommittee could easily be
made. Unfortunately there are en-
ployers of a different sort"
y
That the plan would throw q heavy
burden Of expense on the banks" and
that ut requires the supply of added
space and clerical assistance, especially.
to provide for certain periods in the
month when pay days come to a peak
load" Is the opinion of the Boston
Transcript, though that paper ex-
presses a sympathetic attitude in the
statement: 1.-The prejudice of many
employees against such payment has in
numerous cases been overcome, and
means have been developed to protect
employers against the danger of loss
through IdlSS 1IluOIScIIlcIlb VI CIIcCho
issued. All of these efforts move in the
path of progress, and wherever persons
and firms feel voluntarily inclined to
study the possibilities and adopt an
equable system, they may well be en-
couraged in their work. For the
promised goal-complete elimination of
pay roll banditry-is bright and shin
ing mark"
Logic in the committees report is
found by the Scranton Times, which
points to the clause "in the agreement
lust entered into between the anthracite
mine workers and operators" which
provides for payment by check. where
it is convenient" The Times adds that
1T Is admitted that in few sections
Of the coal region paying by check
might result In great Inconvenience,
and possibly abuse, through workers
being forced to have their checks cashed
in speakeaSies. The benefits of the pay
by-check system, however," continues
that paper. will offset the disad-
vantages, particularly in giving protec-
ton to men whose duty it Is to pay of
the workers"
1.-The seriousness of this type of crime
is shown by the statement of the COM
mittee that 200 pay roll robberies last
year which were critically studied re-
suited In loss of more than million
dollars and the murder of 10 persons"
says the Manchester Union, while the
Little Rock Arkansas Democrat be-
lieves the plan apparently is the only
solution" and the Flint Daily Journal
contends that prevention of crime Is
better than apprehension" that "the
more mon use OF checks would as