Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 September 1916 — NAMES ARE SUPPRESSED [ARTICLE]

NAMES ARE SUPPRESSED

The spectacular arrest of a gang of blackmailers who have been preying upon rich men and women of the metropolitan cities furnishes us new food for thought—and skepticism. When the arrests were made in Chicago a few days ago it was heralded broadcast that millionaire men and women had been caught in compromising positions. It was even said that many social families of prominence would be rocked to their very foundations. Federal prosecutors gleefully announced that no one caught in the net of the blackmailers would be shielded—that everything would be laid bare to the world. The public gasped with anticipation, and the victims shivered with apprehension. And then an order suddenly came out of Washington directing that the names of the victims be kept secret. Money, money, money! The overpowering influence of money! If poor men and women had been caught in the net of exposure no consideration would have been vouchsafed them, no mercy would have been shown them. The searchlight of publicity would have been turned on to the full. But not so with the socially prominent, not so with those of the swollen bank accounts. Money and position give them influence, and influence grants them immunity from publicity. Skeptical? We are just skeptical enough to wonder if the time will ever come when the law will be for all people alike— not a law for the poor man and none for the rich.