The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-08-05
BANK HOLDUPS DECLINE SINCE
 O|LL|NCER ERA
Indiana, Home of Outlaw, Has None in First
 Half of l038
BY ROBERT THOPY ted Press Staff CorrespOndent)

United Press Staff Correspondent)
 Indianapolis, Aug. - U.P0 - Bank holdups have been reduced drastically in Indiana as well as over the entire Middle West since John Dillinger and Al Brady-who went down in records for their mur- derous crimes as the HooSier's states most notorious outlaws-were slain in gun battles with Federal agents.
 For the first six months of 1888 Indiana boasts a clear slate for bank holdups. This, however, was the first time since the early 1920s that the state has not had at least one bank holdup during six-month period.
 According to state police rec ords, there was only one bank burglary attempts on state finan- cial institutions during the first half of the current year.
 Thieves obtained only approxi- mately $500 in night burglary of the Burnetteville, Ind, state bank, in Cass county, on February Il. on February 10 and April g unsuccess- full attempts were made on the Car bon, Ind, state bank and on April 24 an attempt was made on the La- pei, Ind, State Bank.
 1883 Big Year
 The peak for Indiana bank rob- berries occurred in 1883 during the forays of John Dillinger and his henchmen. who extended their robberies throughout the Middle West. The Dillinger gang, all of whom are dead or in prison, is re- ported to have netted more than $175,0O0 in wholesale state bank robberies during 1883.
 In 1882 the total loss from P bank holdups aggregated $66,000, according to police records. Then came the outbreak of the Dillinger mob. which shot the losses to a new high mark in single year. The Dillinger holsters also oper- ated throughout most of 1884 and aided in boosting that years loss from bank robberies to $61,000. There are ten raids on state banks and two messenger rob- berries during the year.
 Despite the daring robberies of the Brady gang in 1885, losses from bank holdups in the state were comparably small - totaling only $10,6O0. Although Brady at the time of his escape from the Hancock county jail, at Greenfield, Ind, boasted he would make Dil- finger look like piker," he fell considerably below the amount of money Dillinger seized through his carer of crime.
 Radio System Effective
 In the following year state bank robberies dropped to only $8,000 and in 1887 fell to $6,000, state po- lice records show. Partly attribut- ed to this drastic reduction was a drive which gave Indiana a mod ern, y-equipped radio police system.
 Closer cooperation between state police, department of justice, city police departments and county sher- ifs and deputies, established follow ing the Dillinger and Brady gang raids, also is regarded a major fac- tor in reducing the states bank holdups.
 Through a $30,OO0 subscription by the Indiana Bankers Association and a $2O,00O contribution by the admin istration of former Governor Paul V. McNutt, now high commissioner to the Philippine Islands, the new modern state police system was es- tabliShed.
 This, in conjunction with the tri-state police net, an agreement of cooperation between Indiana, Ohio and Michigan authorities, has contributed most toward the prevention of bank robberies, &C., cording to state police officials.