Evening star., 1955-11-04
BY j. EDGAR HOOVER

statement. "a man may thrive
on crime, but not for long" To-
day that statement might well
be paraphrased to read. "a ma
tion Indifferent to crime may
thrive. but not for long"
Crime in the United States, as
revealed in statistics, is ma
'tional disgrace. One need only
look at the record of the recent
past: 1952--the estimated num-
Der Of major crimes broke over
the 2 million mark by more
than $4,000. In 1883 the surge
upward hit new high with
2,159,080 crimes. The 1854 rec
ord topped that Of 1853 by 108,-
ITO for a total of 2.267. $50
major crimes.
Where are we heading in
1855? There may be slight
gleam of hope implicit in the
fact that the estimated 1923. $50
major crimes committed during
the first six months of 1885
represent a decrease of 1890.
or Z per cent. over similar
period in 1854. But the recorded
decrease is so slight that if ii
is indicative of anything, it is
of q bare holding Of the line. "
Trend Upward
For seven consecutive years
the trend of crime has been up
ward with the rate of crime
outstripping the population rate
of growth nearly four to one,
Since 1850 our population in
creased Z per cent: crime. 26.7
per cent.
What is the public reaction
to these facts? In general, it is
an indifference of the type
characterized by a shrug of the
shoulders, a raised eyebrow and
cynical $50 what9" There are
exceptions, Newspaper editors Of
vision call attention to the i'm
plications for the future in a
continuing crime increase. But
even the most eloquent, persu-
asive. or indignant editorial
cannot create anything more
than the merest ripple Of atten-
tton and that ripple is soon gone.
Has crime become so casual.
its incidence so usual, that we,
collectively, have exchanged
vigorous disapprobation for a
liberation bred Of indifference?
What are we to think when we
come face to face with the fact
that serious crimes have risen
from 1888. .655 in the last full
year of the war to the appalling
total Of 2,2;7 $50 In 1854? In
the course of the 10-year period
Just past. crime increased some
62.T per cent. At the same time
the population of the United
States was increasing only 2l.3
per cent
There is every indication that
the next 10 years viii witness a
% per cent increase in crime
over present levels. while our
population will increase only IS
per cent.
Creating . Jungle
What must be the ultimate
outcome II the trend continues
to follow its present course? Are
we to see the creation Of a new
Jungle In which civilized be-.
ilayior yields meekly to the rule.
Of tooth and claw?
Where does the fault lie?
The whole theory Of our free
government is based on account
ability-the accountability Of
both the individual and the
group. When the representa-
tives OF the is colonies met to-
getaer in 17sT to devise an
acceptable form of government
one under which they might be
united, yet remain freethey
came face to face with two in
escapable facts: I'd the in
diyidual citizen must accept
responsibility; and ~ the gov
ernment snust be accountable TO
the individual.
Could plan be devised which
would balance the two? Further
more, could the men and women
who had struggled so valiantly
to free themselves from tyranny
be entrusted with their own
freedom The founding Fathers
had faith that they could and
they translated that faith into
the Constitution OF the United
States.
The menace of materialism,
as evidenced by its twin on :
spring. crime and subyersion, is
d threat that can not be dis
counted. While the details of
the struggle with the one evil
may not be revealed for years.
the continuous battle with the
steadily growing monster OF
crime III our midst Is open tor all
To see. The war Is one In which
every American must enlist and
play an active role. The rights
and benefits Of citizenship do
not come gratis. They require
the constant discharge Of the
obligations Of citizenship.
Crime Every is.9 Seconds
III the first six months Of 1855
d major crime was committed
every I3.0 seconds. Uniform
crime reports reflects that In the
course Of each day during the
same period, as people were
feloniously slain and 255 other
felonions assaults we're commits
ted: 5l rapes occurred. 3,7l4 lar
cenies were committed; 6o7 cars
were stolen and 167 robheries
and LAOS burglaries were per-
petrated.
Think Of it for d moment
During the first six months Of
tEiis year III these United States
every AZ minutes d crime oi
murder, nlanslaughter, rape or
assault to XIII occurred. The VIC
tins Of killers totaled $40. In
the same six-month period