Evening star., 1934-07-23
Desperadoes Dead and At Large.

1N1t INV 80 .
II ia caustic commentary upon
The state Of society I'm this country
vhen general rejoicing is manifested
over the announcement OF the killing
Of a despersdo by agents Of the law.
John Diilinaer rated as Americas
most dangerous criminal. ruthless
slayer. ingenious Jail breaker, resource
ful plotter and leader OF devoted
band Of associates, has been trapped
and shot 10 death His career was
fantastic. his end was furiolsly dra-
matte. The highest credit goes to the
agents Of the Federal Government
who unremittingly pursued him. OBJ
tanned information a. 10 his where
sbouts. tracked him to place OF en-
tertainment where he mistakenly
thought he would be secure, and on
his departure closed In upon him and
killed him.
Back Of that tragedy lies long
trail of crime. of determined chase,
Of ingenious investigation, Of be-
travail of the fugitive by faithless
comrades. The agents OF the Gov
ernment employed every possible
means OF discovery. When they corr
nered their quarry they obeyed their
orders to end his career without bene-
mt Of the processes Of the law which
he had defied and thwarted. He was
o noxious creature, who had chal-
leneed society and merited his sum-
mary penalty.
But even az the reports OF Dillin-
gers death at the hands OF posse
OF Federal agents were being received.
news came Of jail break In Texas,
where three desperadoes, under sem
tence of death. escaped through the
agency of fellow convict and un-
doubtedly with the assistance OF
friends outside" who smuggled weap-
ons TO him, and they are now at large,
armed and ready 10 kill If en-
countered. Their aide was wounded
and caught as he. too, sought to
escape.
This affair occurred while the major
portion OF the prison population,
guards included, we're outside OF the
prison walls in attendance upon a
base ball game between team OF
convicts and local nine. Here again
the modern prison practice OF cater
ing entertainment TO inmates comes
into the picture. The break might
have been successfully carried out il
the full complement of guards had
been on duty, but the fact that it was
undertaken at such time suggests
strongly that advantage was taken Of
the depletion OF the force for the sake
OF a bit OF Sunday afternoon amuse-
ment.
Now there is another gang at large
men with long records as killers, men
with resourceful friends and there is
every reason to fear that before they
are rounded up and returned to
,ail-unless like Dillinger they are
killed in pursuit-liyes win be sacri-
need, Just as the pursuit Of Dillinger
has cost heavily.
The frequency with which these
outlaws escape, whether they remain
at large or are caught and punished
or slain in pursuit. is cause OF grave
concern. Slipshod methods of guard
isnship, ineffective surveillance over
visitors. stupid failure to enforce the
fudimentary rules of prison admins
tration, all contribute to this shameful
record of incompetence with its re-
suit of recurring tragedies.
The escape of Dillinger was in itself
one of the most preposterous blunders
in the records of American prison
administration. 1t is a coincidence of
disheartening significance that almost
at the same time the guns barked in
Chicago to end his career, three men,
as bad and as desperate and danger
Gus as he, were clambering out oil
prison in Texas.