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Show CENTERS OF CRIME Tho numbevs, growth, nnd power of tho criminal class Is a matter of scrlouc concern. Mayor Thompson, of Chicago, sot out a few days ago to purgo that city's police department depart-ment of crime, ho charged collusion with grafters, and issued drastic threats. About tho same kind of wc-k Is nocdod In many of tho big cities. Robberies, holdups, and murders mur-ders grow moro numerous and im-immo im-immo from punishment. The po'lec forces of largo cltltes nro tho vulnerable point In our system sys-tem of crime suppression. It Is worth moro money to n police official to stand ln with tho crooks than tp piny straight, assuming that he Is smart enough to cover his tracks. That is qulto a big "If." Hut many grafters arc disposed to chanco it. Higher salaries for po'leo officials might not help tho thing. They may make the work even moro attractive to tho dishonest. The most serious featuro is not tho losses through tho moro sensational sensa-tional crlmos. Tho demoralization of a police department by tho presence pres-ence of easy money renders n force loss slncero nnd sorlous In repression repres-sion of deadly vices. Also every successful suc-cessful big break Incites a wave of small crlmo all ovor tho country. For ovory big burglary, a score of wenker and less capablo men aro llko'y to bo lured Into sneak thieving thiev-ing or petty swindling. A police offlclal who trtades with, crlmo commits moral treason against his city, stnto and country. His act may not have such obvious results ns that of tho traitor who sells out I his country ln wnr. Hut tho Insidious Insidi-ous deed has Its own far reaching Influonco, and tends to tho breaking up of homos and ruining of lives. Muscular strength is not tho most Importnnt qualifications for n police official. A small man physically who Is square and loyal and above money temptation or political, pull. Is tho most vauablo of nil. |
