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Show A MENACE TO SOCIETY Indictment of an investment securities secur-ities talesman in the east recently for circulating false reports tending to effect ef-fect the solvency of a bank should serve at a timely warning to persons who inadvertently or deliberately set in motion or convey rumors designed to distroy public confidence in financial finan-cial institutions. There it no greater enemy to mankind no more serious menace to societythan tht scandalmonger scandal-monger who preys upon the character and esteem of his fellow men or the stability of the institutions which they are directing. Too infrequently culprits cul-prits who spread malicious gossip go unpunished through,' s failure of the proper authorities to recognize the gravenest of the crime that is committed. com-mitted. In the case pending before the court the young man is accused of spreading spread-ing the report that a certain bank was "in a jam" and arrangements had been made to have it taken over by another an-other institution. Seven witnesses testified tes-tified that he called tbem on the tele-1 A MENACE TO SOCIETY. (Continued from Pago 1) phone and imparted the information. Tbe natter was called to the attention of tb( district attorney by the bank's counsel, which resulted in immediate actioa. If the purveyor of the story is convicted it is compatible with the public welfare that he receive" the punishment pun-ishment provided under the law and che information broadcast as a deter-rant deter-rant to others whose tongue waggle too freely a.ud maliciously. fci timet of economic atrain auch aa tbc world ia undergoing it is even snot Important that men and women guard carefully and remarks they make regarding not only banks, but business institutions of all types and other individuals. Any falsehood that is loosely bandied about with the intent in-tent to impair tbe fundamental security secur-ity of life and property should be quickly silenced and the perpetrator called to account. The supreme court of California, in ruling on a recent case, characterized the scandalmonger at a more dangerous menace to society than the murderer. . The thought is worthy of consideration, for the slay-cur slay-cur strikes openly while the gossip works insiciously in tbe background, destroying individual and public es-Mea, es-Mea, a factor epos which livelihood, aacurhy and happiness are dependent. |