The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-17
LACK OF JOBS
CAUSES CRIME,
HOOVER TOLD
'Prohibitory Laws Also Are
Cited as Factors by
WiCkerSham.
CALL PROBE HOPELESS
Henry W. Anderson Gives
Dissenting Opinion in
Presidents Report.
BY PAUL r.. NIALLON
United Press staff Corresuondent


WASHINGTON, Aug. 17.,-Un-
employment and prohibitory laws
were cited as repeated causes OF
crime in the latest Wickersham
commission report to President
Herbert Hoover.
But the commission found in this
thirteenth of its reports that its
task was too great. A majority de-
cided the commission could not de-
termine specifically the causes OF
crime and neither could the COM
missionerS prescribe remedies So
ciety might administer probably to
cure its crime illness.
Two bulky volumes contain the
commissions report-about 100000
words. All but a few paragraphs
were written by six sociological ex-
perts, who investigated for the COM
mission.
Repeatedly, these investigators re-
ferred to "prohibitory laws" in their
search for crime causes. Prohibition
of alcoholic beverages was not mem
toned specifically, except incident
ally.
HOpelessness Is Expressed
In the paragraphs contributed to
the report by the commission ma
jority, there was no reference to
either prohibitory laws or unem-
ployment. These paragraphs sim
ply expressed the hopelessness of
discovering crime causes. Nine
members signed the majority re-
port.
Judge William S. Kenyon did not
sign and Henry w. Anderson wrote
a dissenting opinion.
Anderson referred to prohibitory
laws which Impose undue and irri-
Eating restraints upon normal social
and economic activities or "pro-
duce discomfort, irritation and I'M
rest which find natural expression
in disrespect for government and
in disregard for or resistance to
law
Criticises United States System
ut can not be a source Of sur
prise" Anderson continued, "that
these conditions produce among
even the most social and law-abid-
ing elements an attitude of bewil-
derment as to law, and hopelessness
as to government; among the less
law-abiding an attitude of antag-
ism to law and contempt for gov
eminent, and a reckless disregard
Of social and legal restraint among
youths who are least controlled by
habit, or influenced by social rou-
tine"
Anderson criticised severely the
American system of development
which brouht exploitation Of land
resources to a point now near ex-
haustion, caused the widest spread
between rich and poor, developed
sluns in the city and ignorance in
the under-privileged country dis
tricts, and made man a cog in a
relentless machine
THE American people have Gre
ated," he said, "the largest body of
laws and the most complex system
Of government now in existence as
restraints and controls upon lndi-
vidual and social conduct, but every
stage in their development has
been characterized by a large and
ever-increasing degree Of lswless-
ness and crime.
Urges Sweeping Revision
'They have engaged in at least
one war in every generation.
mo candid investigation can ig-
more those facts, or the conclusions
which they naturally suggest"
Anderson recommended greater
facilities for improving home and
neighborhood environment: removal
of slums and under privileged areas
IA courageous re-examination of
the principles and structures of our
social, political, legal, and economic
systems"
Morris Pleseome, a Sheldon fell
low at Harvard university, found
in his expert opinion that "the de-
moralization Of more than one po-
lice department and to some extent
other law-enforcing agencies is due
to the attempt to enforce laws not
completely sanctioned by commu-
nunity opinion"
Plescome's report contained the
only direct reference to prohibition,
as follows:
1.-THE activities Of the bootlegging
gangs, termed the greatest menace
in organized crime by the Illinois
crime survey, with their consequent
toll of homicide, murder, and vio-
lence, would not be possible with
out the demand for intoxicating
liquors and the tremendous profits
to be made in supplying it"