Evening star., 1936-12-13
c. c. IMPORTANT
IN WAR ON CRIME
Influence on Youth Showing
Effect, Says Report to
Director.
BY REX COLLIER.

The Civilian Conservation Corps Is
wazing an effective attack on the
causes of crime.
Launched as an unemployment re-
lief measure, the c. c. c. has be-
come an important factor in reduc-
ing lawlessness among the youth OF
the Nation, according to report to
Director Robert Fechner by Justin
Miller, chairman of the Attorney
Generals Advisory Committee on
Crime.
Asked by Fechner to submit an
opinion as to the value Of the G. c. C.
as a crime prevention agency, Miller
pointed out that q noticeable de-
crease has occurred in the age-group
encompassed by the corps
While the direct bearing Of the
corps on the crime rate cannot be
measured satisfactorily" Miller said.
credit for help in decreasing the vol
ume Of crime is being accorded the
organization by various penal au-
thorities.
"The c. C. c. has been so often
discussed as an economic measure"
Miller stated, that its wider social
value is sometimes overlooked.
This organization was created to
meet an economic emergency. But
its intended purpose is no more i'm
portant than the accompanying by
products. 1t has fashioned weapons
with which to make an effective at
tack on many of the social condi-
tions which may be crime-condit-
tioning."
Miller, q special assistant to Attor-
ney General Cummings, assigned to
study crime prevention problems, said
causes of crime and delinquency may
be divided into three groups-those
arising from the physical environ
ment of the delinquent, those growing
out of his contact with his family
and those connected with his own
personality and status in society.
Evil Conditions Opposed.
an the first instance" Miller's re-
port said, 1T has been found that
the environmental background of de-
linquents and criminals is in most
cases unwholesome. A typical de-
linquent history paints a picture Of
q neighborhood full of corrupting in
fiuences and lacking in recreational
facilitieS-often q Slum district where
overcrowding, lack of ventilation and
cleanliness are prevalent.
"A simple knowledge of the c. C..
Cs aim-the conservation of both
the human and natural resources Of
the country-is enough to suggest
what the organization does to oppose
these conditions.
Instead of the surroundings pic
tured heretofore, the camps offer
clean, wholesome environment. free
from corrupting influences. The out
door life provides few of the conflicts
of crowded city. About 81 per cent
of the c. c. c. enrollees are from
urban districts, and this change in
environment is beneficial.
The crime conditioning factors in
family life are Of three kinds, the re-
lationship of the parents to society,
to each other and to the child. The
Civilian Conservation Corps accepts
only those boys whose families are
on relief. that is to say, whose eco
romic relation to society Is at its
worst.
Even if this condition is due solely
TO misfortune, the atmosphere it en-
genders is unhealthy. Removal of
boys at an impressjonable age is de-
sirable, even though the other causes
Of friction in family life are not
present"
Recreation and Education.
The report pointed out the corps
program of healthful recreation and
education is a crime deterrent factor.
Miller quoted Supt H. w. JespenSon
Of the Nebraska Reformatory for
Men as saying that the c. C. c. has
been responsible for 25 per cent de-
crease since 1888 in the number of
inmates in his institution He at
tributed to Maj. r. M. Youell, super
1ntendent of the Virginia State Peni-
tentiary, claim that the c. c. c.
caused q drop Of 1856 in the number