The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-07-12
NEWSPAPERS OPINION
WHAT is. THE. ANSWER TO CRIME?

: Z.
Is there any answer to the pressing question VI
the prevalence of crime? Though there is no Sill
ole answer, there may be many II mas Deeii 90
mated that racketeering alone is costing the peopie
of the United States about $13,OOO,ouoooV yea.
Clearly, the chief menace is not from lSoiated put
organized crime promoted and directed Py expert
enced criminals. :: ... e...,- , IL,
Particularly challenging, too, is the fact that
most criminal careers begin in childhood Inc
great bulk of crime in this country is a youth
problem, and its beginnings are nearly always
found in msdirected childhood" says Charles l.
Chute of the National Probation Association,
The average age of the prison population Is
about % wears. Recent Sing Sing records give ~
as the average age of holdup men. Two hundred
criminals under q, some 16 and II, were COIL
mitted there in II months. These figures reflect
the increase in the number of criminal youth VINO
have not had or who have disregarded the oppor-
tunties for education in the trades, professions
and business, and who, desiring luxuries and
amusements beyond their earning power in legiti-
mate enterprises, are steadily drifting into GRIM
inal ranks lured by easy money.
Every student of crime agrees that one of the
chief causes of delinquency is the inadequate home
THE lack of harmonious understanding and en-
couraging home atmosphere, with the security that
a good home provides.
Next to "'misdirected youth as a source o.
crime are sum conditions and low standards OF
| living in crowded cities. Ninety per cent OF the
crimes in New York come from less than 10 pei
cent of its area. strikngly large proportion OF
children in congested areas are found sooner OF
later in the juvenile court or in the hands of the
affor nd W.
displaces criminal associations among young peo
iple in crowded areas with wholesome recreationa
and educational advantages is an important pre-
ventive of crime.
Other factors in the answer to the crime ques
ton include:
! Curtailing motion pictures which throw the
| glamour of heroism and adventure about GRIM
inals.
Roofing out corrupt political organizations in
| large cities.
Improving the standards and administration
of the law and of the courts.
Overhauling obsolete legal machinery which
is readily manipulated to secure the escape of
the guilty.
Strengthening police forces by more careful
selection, better training, better supervision,
and protection from political interference.
| Extension of federal laws to cover more ade-
quately crimes that involve the crossing of state
lines
| Individual treatment of the individual Of
fender for the projection of society.
Extension of parole and probation along real
| istic, not sentimental lines.
Extension and Improvement of juvenile courts
and making the laws covering them uniform
throughout the country.
Strengthening of character-building agencies
| in the community.
Constructive promotion of better citizenship
! generally.
/ An encouraging side to the picture is the fact
that responsibility of the community to prevent
crime is recognized as never before Agencies
public and private are attacking the problem
courageously and intelligently. The average citi
zen can make his greatest contribution by bein2
a good citizen, by making his home a happy, whole
some place for his children, and by supporting the
community agencies to combat and prevent crime
| Christian Science Monitor.