Evening star., 1961-05-17
LETTERS TO THE STAR
Crime Marches On in Nations Capital


lawmakers, lawyers, repre-
Sentatives, senator's and
judges. We feel they are fail
ing US.
I have noted that the
splendid plan advanced by
Representative Davis. Demo-
crat Of Georgia, to lower from
18 to 16 the age limit where
youth would be treated as
adults was rejected; surely
this would act as a deterrent
to crime. II a youth Of 16
is old enough to steal, plum
der, murder and rape, why
should he not be rated as an
adult and given the same
treatment?
Then we read Of the kindly
folks who oppose capital
punishment which is GER
tainly a deterrent to crime.
We read Of offenders with
46 convictions still roaming
at large. Recently two fine
men with families were killed.
This criminal still lives and
may never be put to death.
In Russia, they are put before
the firing squad and that
is the end. We read that
they have very little juvenile
delinquency In Russia. We
also read that they are forg-
ing ahead in education and
they keep the young in school
and watch the ones who may
60 far in science.
We let our children out Of
school at the age Of Is and
from 16 to II many gangs are
formed. The armed forces will
not take them until they are
II years old. No one wants to
hire these youngsters, so what
have they in life?
And now I see a picture Of
q man who raped an 18-year-
old bride? But what will they
do with him? Much has been
written lately regarding a
Willie Stewart who shot a man
to death in his store at 9th
and East Capitol streets "a
man ! knew very welD after
robbing his store. This hap
pened In 1953-but he still
lives and the lawyers are
deciding whether he is sub
normal or insane.
It Is disgusting to read all
this stuff. Most criminals are
subnormal, and the criminal
ly insane should be put to
death at once to protect So
ciety and to lessen the grief
Of their families. Cannot
something be done about po-
tential killers who. when ap-
pretended, are allowed to go
free until q major crime is
committed? What America
needs (and the District) Is
more intelligent lawmakers.
Mere Woman
-
To have crime rampant in
this beautiful city of Wash
ington, the Capital Of q great
Nation, is difficult to under
stand. I am sure that we
have an efficient and dedi-
Gated police force, but it is
what happens after these
criminals are apprehended,
Perhaps they will be put in
Jail where they are coddled
and after a short time. re-
leased to perpetrate the same
crimes or worse. That Is no
punishment for them. Why
do we not have stringent
laws and full enforcement Of
them that would insure
safety for law-abiding citi-
ZenS?
1t used to be q duty and
privilege to protect women
and children. Today they are
ruthleGsly assaulted and
murdered. It Is a disgrace
and we are supposed to be
living in a civilized and
Christian country! Why .are
not these criminals punished
in accordance with their mis-
deeds? At one time the hor-
rible crime Of rape was pun
ishable by death. It was sell
dom heard of and even the
word was uttered with reluc-
tance. Now it is a daily oc-
currence. II those found guilty
of the crime Of rape received
their just punishment and at
once, I am sure there would
be less crime committed.
It is an outrage that
women are not safe in their
homes, in stores or on the
streets even in broad day.
light. What has happened to
the laws and to those who
are supposed to enforce
them? I think every woman
should make her voice heard
throughout the land until
something is done to insure
their safety.
Mary Ellen Dashiell.