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Entertainig for two hours and three quarters and enthusiastic audience that filled the Living Room in the Union last night, Mr. William J. Burns told story after story about his career that made Sherlock Holmes place in comparison, and concluded by launching a tirade against the sinister doings and the propaganda spread by the Soviet Government. "What I wan to do," said Mr. Burns at the beginning of his talk, "is to point out the fact of the futility of the crook ever getting away with it, and to show that there is nothing to the detective business except the same common-sense that we all have."
One thing that was evident in the course of the lecture was that Mr. Burns looked on crime and criminals not only from the point of view of a cold-blooded detective but form that of the philosopher and psychologist. "Environment is responsible for 85 to 90 percent of all crime committed in this country," he said. He always made an effort to find out what turned the criminal on the wrong path, and was interested in seeing whether a criminal went straight afterwards.
"There never was a successful criminal in history and there never will be; and when cases become mysteries, it is because they are badly managed."
At the end, he spoke of the world-wide movement of the Soviet government to spread propaganda and sow discord. "There never was a time in the history of this country when there was so much need for red-blooded Americanism. The Soviet government is responsible for the Wall Street bomb, and they paid, for that. And if I had my way about it, I'd index every alien in this country; and for those who are seeking, to overthrow the country, I'd drive them out and send them back where they belong". In speaking of the younger generation, Mr. Burns said, "It is your duty to take a proper interest in the politics of this country--your duty to bring to justice the men who are spreading propaganda. Take a greater interest in the upbuilding of the country, and save out country from moral decay!"
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