The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-08-11
WHO WILL CONTROL THE CRIME
INDUSTRY?

Says the Public Service Magazine.
.Tbe ease with which capital crimes such as kiG-
naming and murder are developed and maintained
as fourishing industries is sad commentary on
the ability of the government to direct or conduct
the legitimate business of the awabiding citizen.
.sThere is no other agency but government con-
stituted to deal with the business of crime If gov
eminent fails in this as it has failed and is fail
ing BY what rule of rhyme or reason can anyone
claim that the government could succeed in the
performance of functions that really do not belong
to government?
THE citizen will have much more confidence III
the various legislative schemes delegating power
and authority for governmental control and dlrec-
ton of legitimate industry when the government
makes better showing of controlling the industry
of crime. It is perfectly appalling the way that the
industry of kidnapping has been fourishing of late
Cities, states and federal government alike have
failed to deal with it. Just now comes an announce
ment from Washington that Uncle Sam has de-
clared war on kidnapping. Good! Let the lombard
ment proceed to the finish. Citizens who pay their
taxes for the protection of their lives and property
are surely entitled to better results than the gov
eminent has been producing in this connection.
"And there is the racket of stealing automobiles.
chicago
racket produces $4,000, 900 year for the various
elements involved in its conduct. The News says
that from July l. 1928, to July l, 1888, total OF
14374O cars were stolen within the city limits Of
Chicago. Their total value was placed at S85972,-
$50. Allowing for the cars that were recovered
and salvaged, the net monetary loss to the owners
was placed at $42,9s6,OOO, sizable business.
police say many of the criminals carrying on
III hat
not city governments with their armies of trained
police officers cope with children? At all events,
let cities. states and the national government make
letter jobs of their own businesses before tav go
% taking over the business of the citizen
The foregoing is just little contribu-
ton to the general discussion of things a.
they are and should not be. To which, per-
NIT The Times-News to add this:
Government is trying to run all the al
fairs of the country, including private bust
ness, and yet the best known and most no.
torious fact which confronts the nation to-
day is the fact that government has failed
in its primary function of enforcing the
laws. That is one of the few legitimate
and constitutional functions of govern
ment. 1t is the first and principal duty OF
government. Local and State governments
and the federal government have failed in
this primary function. On the whole the
national government has been more sue
eessful with law enforcement than local
government. The most abject and misel-
able failure of law enforcement in the his,
tory of the world has been the record OF
municipal government in the United States
Examples of this are found in all the great
cities of the country, but are not confined
to those cities-as striking examples are to
be found in hundreds of smaller munich
palities throughout the country.
Another very interesting development il
this connection is this: A prolonged cry is
going up throughout the country to hav5
control of the liquor traffic returned
the States" 1t is said that federal contro
of the liquor traffic and enforcement Of
the prohibition law has been a failure
With the next breath many of those who
are shouting for local or State control o.
the liquor traffic implore help from the
federal government to suppress racketeer
ing, kidnapping and other lawlessness of tht
gangSters. They admit the helplessness o.
local government in one case and make