The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-12-06
IDLE. EDUCATED
YOUTH is new
CRIMINAL TYPE
Alarming Statistics Report
ed in Publication of
u. S. AGENTS.

U. ,. Agents.
With the government concentrat-
ing upon completely smashing the
organized undeTwoTld-its hood
lurnS, gangsters and killers. society
Is faced with a new criminal prob
lem Of increasing importance, &C
cording 10 the Uniform Crime Re-
ports bulletin issued today by the
Department Of Justice Division of
Investigation.
The criminal Of the post gangster
era will be the youth with a fair
education and background. driven
desperately into crime for the rea-
son that he feels that there are no
other outlets for his normal talents,
the statistics show.
examination of the records of
arrests distributed according TO age
groups discloses a rapid increase in
the number of individuals arrested
from age IS TO age 49," the bulle-
tin declares.
ExtOrtiOn Plots Abound.
OF 95.216 persons arrested between
the ages OF 16 and "a. from Jan.
TO Sept. 80. 1884, total of 1905
were 10 years old. In commenting
on these facts, federal agents here
expressed alarm at the number of
extortion plots being executed by
young men.
These youths are of high school
or college education. They have been
thrust into society with great expec-
tations of using their education and
background 10 high advantage and
in their youthful folly have turned
to crime when they find no good po-
Sition open for them.
Undoubtedly this problem of
youthful criminals will be discussed
at the crime conference to be opened
in Washington this month by Presi-
dent Roosevelt. it was indicated
here.
Crime Fight Continues
Daily the fight goes forward to
rid American society of the habitual
criminal type. This type has long
list Of crimes. Many are criminally
insane and have been hardened by
environment. The percentage Of
criminals over "a is dropping meas
urably now.
The Government through its relief
and social facilities has been making
specific efforts to stamp out juvenile
delinquency among the lower classes.
The young men of the middle class
are supposed to be afforded such
home environment as will direct
them away from lawlessnes.
The Federal Court in this district
this spring was confronted with the
necessity of sentencing two we'll
educated youths. James Carlos Nc
NELL and James Byron Woods, to
prison for an extortion plot against
Eli Lilly, prominent indianapolis
philanthropist. McNeill was edu-
Gated at Indiana University and
Woods at a normal college.
Both young men presented typical
cases, federal agents declare.
Local Cases Held Typical
They returned from school to the
small town of Paragon. Finding no
Jobs they drifted about the country
for more than a year. Then tempted
by the LUXE of easy money, they
carefully plotted an extortion
scheme.
Mcneil claimed in court that he
wanted to obtain enough money to
become married. The parents in
each case we're respected citizens Of
the community.
Federal agents who have consid-
cred the problem declare that for
tunately youthful criminals usually
are apprehended without difficulty.
They make mistakes that older
criminals would avoid.
But the tragedy lies in the fact
that these youths will be placed in
prison where they will learn 1.-The
ropes" from more experienced GRIM
inalS, agents point out. Facts taken
from the Bulletin show that these
young men on the average are more
intelligent than the ordinary hood
lum.
Schools Show Interest
The schools today are making an
effort to pave the way for some leis-
ure time activity to busy the mind
of the unemployed and well-educat-
ed young man. Paul C. Stetson, In
dianapolS public school superinten-
dent, has been mapping a program
which will include survey Of all
such type persons in the city.
The survey aims to discover what
this type individual feels he needs
most in the way of leisure time &C
tivity. Glasses then will be organ
lied and an opportunity given
youths to plunge themselves into
study that Will benefit them when
advantageous employment is offered.