Show THE TIIE COST OF CRIME In Its report on The Cost of Crime the Wickersham Commission Commission Commission Commis Commis- sion states that Americas America's crime bill is well in excess of a year The average per capita capi capi- ta cost of crime in cities clUes which were surveyed was The lowest rate recorded recorded recorded-In In Galesburg Galesburg Galesburg Gales- Gales burg Illinois was Illinois was 92 cents The highest highest in In Jersey City was City was 1130 a year for each citizen These facts should mal make e the pubic pub pub- ic v wonder if the pleasure of passing passing passing pass pass- ing anew ew ew reform laws is worth whet what they cost not only in jn actual money but in security freedom and a stable society As AB an economy measure the Commission recommends a weeding weeding weeding weed weed- I ing out of laws to eliminate unnecessary unnecessary unnecessary un un- un- un necessary and expensive social re re- re There Is nothing new newIn newin newin in this but it is well to bring it once more to to public attention If It there is one cause responsible for forthe forthe forthe the prevalence of crime its cost and the failure of law enforcement enforcement enforcement enforce enforce- ment it is the tremendous bulk of unnecessary laws on our statute bools books The average citizen needs few fe laws to deter him from murder housebreaking kidnapping blackmail blackmail black black- mail and other old age-old crimes while a million laws in themselves will not stop the criminal from pursuing these same vocations and using a gun or a blackjack or any other murderous weapon which he will secure Jawor law or no law |