"Crime and Criminals." By the Prison Reform League. 330 pages; cloth-bound; illustrated; price $1.00. Prison Reform League Publishing Company, 443 S. Main St., Los Angeles, Cal.
The object of this book is to demonstrate the truthfulness of its text, an utterance from President William H. Taft: "I believe, and I regret to say it, that throughout this country the administration of the criminal law and the prosecution of crime are a disgrace to our civilization."
The book in its fourteen chapters and appendix abundantly evidences the truthfulness of the text. It shows from governmental and official reports that crime is increasing. It discusses capital punishment and its motive, and the cruelty of deterrent measures. It reveals the awful inwardness of life in San Quentin, in both its male and female departments, by reports from those who know. Southern convict camps, county and city jails, and in fact most of that which pertains to crime and criminals, are set forth strongly, clearly, in order if possible to arouse the public conscience, that a reform may be effected. The truth of the text from President Taft is forcibly, horribly, tremendously, yet dispassionately, judicially, demonstrated. Every chapter demands reform in dealing with crime and criminals. We wonder if this clear note by Colonel Griffith, the secretary of the Prison Reform Association, will be heard by those who have it in their power to help the fallen and the weak.