4. Criminal Environment. In the story of "Oliver Twist" an environment is described in which little boys were taught skilful stealing. It was not thought of as wrong though it was considered "awful to be caught." Children whose parents steal and lie are not likely to regard stealing and lying as bad. Neglected children are sometimes nearly as unfortunate as those who come from vicious homes.

5. Heredity. You have doubtless heard, "It is strange he turned out so well; his parents are so bad," or "He ought to be better; his parents are good people." Everyone recognizes that good ancestry counts but it seldom makes sure that anyone will be good or bad. It is easier for some to do right than for others. Those who inherit weak or nervous constitutions are at a great disadvantage. A few are "born criminals;" for these the only treatment fair to the community is confinement where they can do no harm. Fortunately nearly all can be kept from a criminal life by the right environment.

New Methods of Treatment. Instead of treating all lawbreakers alike, the attempt is now made to deal with each according to his individual needs. If the cause of crime is carelessness, idleness, ignorance or criminal environment, these can be changed. Juvenile Courts take time to inquire into all the circumstances; they sometimes take young offenders away from their evil companions and keep them in school or at work. If possible they are paroled or put upon their honor instead of being sent to a reformatory. In other words, they are given a chance, and teachers, classmates and friends are given an opportunity to help them make good.

First offenders among grown-up criminals are no longer treated like hardened cases who have prison habits; they are paroled if possible, sent to special prisons or at least kept separate from habitual criminals whose example could only

make them worse. Stern discipline has to be maintained in prisons but the occasional criminal imprisoned for a short time is given opportunity to learn a trade. If the cause of his crime were carelessness, idleness or ignorance he may leave prison a much better person than he entered it. Last of all, when a criminal has served his sentence or is pardoned and set at liberty, he finds more persons than formerly who regard him as an unfortunate rather than a wicked person. He is not at first trusted but he is not despised and called a "jail bird." He may be given a chance to "come back," and if he succeeds, his prison record will not be constantly held up as a disgrace.

Boys and Girls May Help. Boys and girls can help to make America's record for lawlessness better. They can make sure that they obey the laws themselves. This seems very easy when one thinks of the great laws of the state which seem so far away, for they give us little trouble. It may be the little rules of school, playground and home which need our attention. Stealing a street car ride, a few apples through the fence or a sum of money may not seem equally serious, but all are stealing. Cheating in examinations or in basket ball is as lawless as dishonesty in a business deal.

Those who study our government will soon be making laws which govern us. If they are intelligent law makers, they will pass laws which are clear in meaning and which can be enforced. In another chapter it has been shown that some of our laws are not wise. We have no right to make this excuse for lawlessness, since we make our own laws. Unwise laws should be unmade but not disobeyed.

Suggested Activities.

1. Find out through your local court officials the duties of the sheriff or constable, the Justice of the Peace. Ask your local Justice

of the Peace for information as to just how a civil case is brought into the Justice Court-how it is tried. What character of criminal cases he tries and what the extent of punishment he or a jury in his court can assign. Find out from him the difference between the character of cases which he, the Justice of the Peace, tries and the same cases tried by the County or Circuit Judge.

2. Through an interview with the court officials learn the five crimes and five misdemeanors most common in your community. Try to learn through this interview why these particular crimes are most common-and what are their direct causes. With these facts in hand, present them to your class with suggestions for decreasing lawlessness. 3. Choose sides and debate one or more of the following questions: (a) Resolved, that cheating in examinations is a form of stealing.

(b) Resolved, that those who make light of law violations help to increase lawlessness.

Study Questions.

1. Crime is increasing in the United States. All the possible causes listed here have been suggested to account for the increase. Which

of them do you think important?

picture shows

spoiled children

too much education

too little education

too much money

parents too busy

lax courts

bad books
cigarettes

loafing at night

no place to play
not attending church
poverty

2. "Most tramps are college graduates," said an ignorant old man who was urging a lad to quit school and work for him. The man did not know that all colleges keep a record of their graduates and that it is therefore very easy to prove that his statement is nonsense. What do you know of the amount of education possessed by those most often arrested in your community?

3. What is meant by CRIMINAL CARELESSNESS? Under what circumstances is reckless auto driving criminal?

4. In addition to the causes of crime discussed in this chapter, rank the accompanying according to the part you think they play in causing crime:

strikes
drunkenness
quarrels

gambling

bad companions
betting

Which are most likely to be combined as causes?

5. "It serves him right; he did wrong and he got in jail." Of the reasons given below which are the most to be considered in sending a law-breaker to jail?

(a) To get even with him.

(b) To reform him.

(c) To make an example for others.

(d) To keep him from doing more harm.

6. In speaking of a children's court judge one juvenile delinquent said, "I like the judge because he treats us all alike." Another said, "I like him because he gives each one a square deal." Which remark paid the judge the higher compliment as a useful officer?

These expressions are often seen in newspapers and magazines. You should ascertain their meanings before reading the chapter.

Methods of Transportation. Transportation has always held an important place in the development of states and nations. In America animal paths and Indian trails marked the best routes for overland transportation when the white man appeared. But these could be used only by travelers on foot or at best by horsemen and pack trains. When the need became sufficiently pressing, roads were cut through the forest, streams were bridged and commerce was carried in wagons of various types drawn by oxen or horses. Waterways were important as routes of travel from the beginning. Many canals were built and the canal boat, barge, flatboat, keelboat and canoe carried much of the internal commerce of America one hundred years ago. The steamboat largely supplanted other boats and carried a greatly increased tonnage. Railroads were a great improvement over inland water transportation because they could be built where most needed. But the steamboat and the freight car had to be filled with goods hauled in wagons. Thus the wagon has always been an important factor in transportation. The automobile truck is rapidly taking the