Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-10
TIME or DECISION
To the Editor Of The Stor:

Only when public opinion
Is thoroughly aroused over
local conditions which have
recently Mortified Senator
Douglas and others will there
be some hope of eliminating
such evils.
1t is preposterous for we'll
meaning friends to warn
against the dire things which
might happen to us in tour
ing alone and independently
in other lands. On many
occasions ! have walked
alone on the streets Of Paris,
Madrid and cities Of Italy
and Mexico. at night as well
as in daytime. Never have /
suffered or seen the slightest
indication Of assault, robbery
or even insults or petty theft.
Even in decidedly undesirable
sections. I have not only felt
perfectly safe but was politely
given directions by pedes-
TRANS I met on the street.
Only in Washington do / feel
distinct apprehension every
time I set foot on its streets.
) The daily Washington po-
lice record on assaults, mug
gings, rape, and even MUIR
der-literally within a few
blocks Of our Capitol and the
White House-in broad day
light as well as at night, well
justifies fear for men as well
as women. How long will
such a reign Of terror be al
lowed to continue in the
Land of the Free"-particu-
larly in its very Capital?.
1t is too easy to blame all
robberies and theft on the
desperation Of the poor"
Juvenile delinquency" or the
so-called "downtrodden race"
But investigation would prob
ably disclose that the ma
jority of our criminals Tin
Guiding juveniles) are as apt
to possess cars and television
sets as are their victims. AS
for juvenile delinquency, it
is probably an offshoot Of
parental and adult delin-
quency. for the inexcusable
examples Of dishonesty set by
adults, including parents, do
nothing whatever to counter
act other evil influences
around the younger genera
tons.
Senator Douglas horror Of
the type Of crime and horror
films being advertised in Vir-
ginia would be greatly in
creased if he were to visit
several cinema houses on up
per Fourteenth street any
Saturday or Sunday after
noon and see the hundreds
Of young children, white as
well as colored. who are reg
ularly parked there for the
entire afternoon and evening.
AS Senator Douglas remarks,
this tutoring Of the young in
crime and all forms Of i'm
morality. including sadism,
must be greatly responsible
for the juvenile police rec
ords. B. Carson.
If a decent and law-abid-
ing citizen of the District Of
Columbia fails for any rea-
son to pay income tax for
the correct amount on the
appointed date, a penalty
must be paid. Yet that same
citizen is in danger on the
streets Of Washington both
day and night, because
thieves and thugs are being
let loose with no penalty
whatsoever.
In a city full of lawmakers
from all over the Nation. it
would seem that Congress.
the justices or the Judges
could do something about it
and the sooner the betterl
d. Winchc0le.
I disagree somewhat with
your editorial. "The Law Is
A ASS" The laws are mere
words to be interpreted by
judges. Therefore. the judges.
with Supreme Court justices
at the head Of the list. are at
fault. Congress- also Is at fault
for failing to use the power
II has TO protect citizens
against criminals--even II 1t
requires constitution a ]
amendment TO curb tn e
courts. There is one way to
stop the thugs make sem
fences so stiff that 1t will
strike terror to their hearts.
And II there aren't enough
jails. then build a few con-
centration camps.
Citizen.
- -
The Star is TO be con-
oyat,,lafad an the Nna fah ~