Evening star., 1951-12-02
By J. Edaor Hoover

Director Federal Bureau of Investigation
The recent revelations of dis
honesty, corruption and malfeas-
ance of character have shocked
the American people. They pro-
vide dramatic proof that, in many
areas Of contemporary society. the
integrity of this great Nation is
being undermined.
During the first six months OF
1851. for example, crime jumped
81 per cent In cities and 4 per
cent in rural areas. compared with
the same period last year.
Distorted. abused, cynically dis
|regarded-the standards of con-
duct, once regarded as sacred and
|inviolate. stand tattered. torn and
forgotten by those who disregard
our laws. The time for positive
action has come-the flag OF
honor. now being lowered to half
mast by the criminal and the oc-
|casionally corrupt. must be pulled
on high by all right-thinking
citizens, to remain there, unsul-
lied, clean and proud, the symbol
|of the home of the free and the
land of the brave.
The disclosures Of dishonesty,
though perhaps differing in orr
gin. method of operation. or in
dividuals involved. are. in fact,
parts of the overall picture Of
the breakdowns Of morals. A bas-
ketball player accepting bribe.
an embezzler borrowing" some
spending money" a gambler
buying protection"-these are
the ingredients of the fog Of i'm
orality which. unfortunately. has
blanketed so many consciences
today.
Spring From Same Root
The blossoms of crime may
vary-murder. burglary. larceny.
bribery, corruption-but the roots
stem, in the final analysis, from
the same trunk, the ripping asun-
der of the moral code of man.
Modern-day society, with its
concentrated economic wealth.
high-tension problems. and tech
nical unification, calls for the
very peak Of moral integrity. The
slightest tang Of dishonesty. mis-
placed confidence or corrupt en-
deavors, may adversely affect
thousands. even millions, Of lives.
Morality, in this mid-twentieth
century world, is a highly i'm
portant factor, almost seismograp-
hic in delicacy. The slightest quiv-
er of the moral needle off the
range Of honesty and personal
virtue may. literally speaking, be
fel around the world. Men and
women of the most profound
moral resoluteness, mequivocal
in their advocacy of personal
virtue, are needed to hold steady
the affairs Of men.
Unfortunately. at the very time
when the temptations Of everyday
living are increasing. the moral
stamina and residence needed
to counteract this evil often
are lacking. The American home.
for example, in years past the
center of a cohesive family life. Is.
in many places, only q place to
sleep or eat.
Juvenile Delinquency Rises.
The child fails to receive the
parental instruction and atten-
ton needed to chart a pathway
of good citizenship. Juvenile de-
linquency has increased-during
the first six months Of 1851. for
instance. 15.2 per cent Of all in
dividuals arrested and finger
printed in the United States were
under the age of 81. This Is a
shocking commentary. all the
more 80 at q time when their
talents are SO urgently needed.
Moreover. q whitening material
istic philosophy. which denies the
transcendent power Of God, and
encourages man to glorify him
self. has imbued many phases Of
American life. Unless we, as
citizens in q democratic society.
suddenly wake up and take stock.
we may find the well-springs of
morality running dry.