 The Equitable Life Assurance Society presents this is your FBI This is your FBI the official broadcast from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation presented as a public service by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States and the Equitable Society representative in your community Homeowners attention, please have you heard about the assured home ownership plan offered by the Equitable Life Assurance Society? If not, be sure to listen carefully to the middle commercial Find out why this Equitable Society plan is both a money saver and a home saver Find out why the Equitable Society calls it America's finest plan for home ownership tonight's FBI file The reluctant thief Every study made into the field of crime by your FBI in recent years Has shown that juvenile delinquency is the number one problem facing law enforcement agencies all over the nation The most recent study covering all crimes committed in the past year is no exception Year by year America is producing more and more junior criminals Youngsters who will unless headed off keep the crime wave mounting For example, and this is only one of the frightening statistics produced by the study the number of youngsters arrested in 1946 between the ages of 18 and 20 was 24 percent higher than in 1945 That is a jump of almost one quarter And as if to prove the inevitable consequences of the juvenile delinquents who grew up through the war years Arrests in the age bracket of 21 to 24 rolls more than 64 percent The time to do something about the juvenile delinquency problem is now for tomorrow may be too late Tonight's FBI file opens in a modest frame house located in the suburbs of a small eastern city A stout middle-aged woman is tidying up the living room of this dwelling As the front doorbell rings the woman hurries the door and opens it Hiya, mom. Eddie. Yeah. Oh, son. It's so good to see you Goodness, let's not stand out here. Come in son. Come in. Okay, mom. Sure. Oh Now let me have a good look at you look, okay Wonderful one thing I can say for the school. They sure fed me good. They must have goodness how you've grown Well, it's been almost a year mom Right at hand. Hey, where's Joey? Oh He's out out playing didn't he know I'd be home this afternoon. Well, uh, yes, he did what's the matter Didn't you want to see his own brother son? Joey is Well, I've been having quite a bit of trouble with him lately What about he just refuses to pay any attention to what I tell him. Oh wise guy stuff, huh? Not really after all He's only 15. Well, that's old enough to know better. He'll learn Eddie right now. He just doesn't seem to understand Look, would you let me have a talk with him? Oh, I wish you would Heaven's on you must be starved now you go inside and get boss now set out for dinner. Wait mom. Why don't you look is that you Joey? Well, come on in here Eddie's home. Hiya, Joey All right Well Joey, aren't you going to say you're glad to see him? Glad to see you better Joey. Where are you going in my room? Wait a minute. I want to talk to you Joey mom says you've been giving a trouble while I was away. Oh, not my knee. That ain't so kid mom just now Just a minute both of you. I didn't say that Joey didn't mind me. It's just that he's Doesn't understand. I can't help that you certainly can son people aren't born See it takes a lot of thought a lot of practice, but I don't like stealing forget him I mean it. I'd rather be doing things like other kids do. How square can you get now? Don't pick on him Eddie. I know how the boy feels his uncle Ben was the same way when he was a kid So what so when my mother finished with him? He turned out to be the best safe cracker this side of the Mississippi. Well, he ain't no uncle Ben He can be now that you're home again and can work right with him He'll pick up things in no time Maybe say you must have picked up some new tricks at the reform school that you can teach him Yeah, then starting tomorrow you can take your brother right under your wing On the outskirts of the same city at the local police fiscal range FBI Special Agent Jim Taylor has accepted an invitation for an afternoon of practice Jim tell me. Yes. Hello there. You remember me. Sure. Are you Tom Guilford? That's right. Oh, yeah So well, you're at the police academy last year when I was taking my refresher great Why don't you get into town several days ago? I've been temporarily assigned to our local field office here See how about having dinner with me one night this week? I sure How's Friday night? Friday? Friday's fine. And Remind if I mix a little business with the food Not at all Tom. Our police chief has just assigned me to head up our juvenile delinquency during our see I know you fellows are interested in the problem and call on you for some advice Well, I'll be glad to help you with anything I can swell say there's a target free now. Let's do a little shooting You're in the kitchen, son Yeah, really just as soon as these potatoes boil Where's Joey? Oh, he stopped off the candy store. Oh, did you work with him today? Yeah, how'd it go? Oh, he's coming along. Don't kind of stupid though. Ed. Do you just got to be patient with the boy now? What did you have him do? Well, I took him to the five and dime store and had him lift a few things novelty stuff You know, yes. Well, he'd done that clean enough. What else? Oh, he snatched the purse right over dame's hand while she was parking her car any trouble No, I lost himself in the crowd pretty good. Well, that sounds like he's doing fine Why do you say he's still stupid? Because you can see he ain't getting no kicks. It's like work to him. Oh, he'll get over that Just wait till we get to the big city. What big city? New York What are we going there tomorrow night if we're lucky? What do we use for money? You and Joey are going to get it. Oh, I've got a job all cased out for you Yeah, well, what's the setup a big house out in Brentwood a friend of mine worked out there She nailed the combination of the safe. She gave it to you Yeah The people who own the place are out of town and there's no one there but a caretaker Well, it sounds like a breeze. Well, it'll have to be a daytime job Caretaker naps every day from two to four. That's when you and Joey move in. What do we need him for? Well, you'll need a lookout besides you can use the experience Okay, what's in the safe? Do you know cash and jewelry? Hey, that should take us to New York real good. Oh Yes, that's what I've always lived for once my two boys get on the big time I know they'll go right to the top Supposed to be right behind this picture Catch you sometimes Here it is. Look you stay by that door. Okay. What is it? Did you open it yet? Of course not stupid Please take time. Hey, give me one of them cigarettes On the table You stupid I couldn't help it Eddie. I can't believe with my elbow shut up. Get back by the door. Listen for that caretaker Okay, you hear anything? No Still better hurry with this thing Coming down stairs listen Yeah, let's get out of here, but we can't get behind the store and shut up someone here Who's behind that door come out? I've got your cover Let's get that safe open That's more coffee Jim. Oh, thanks Tom. How many stories well as I told you wall safe was robbed and the caretaker was slug Mm-hmm. I questioned the caretaker just before I came over here He said the two youngsters did the job one about 17 other about 14 Did you know them now? I'd never seen him before. Oh, could he give you a description of the boys? No, he couldn't Always taken from the safe money and jewelry with about 5,000. Oh Tom is there any interstate angle? No, unfortunately, there isn't Did you pick up any fingerprints around the safe on it all these kids work like fraud? Well Tom, you don't seem to have much to go. I didn't pick up one clue. Oh, what was that? This is a class pin. I found it on the floor near the safe Class of 1950 yeah, that was issued at Northside high school. Well, then it's pretty safe to assume that one of the boys goes there Yeah Tom what time this afternoon did that robbery occur approximately 315 and how far is Brentwood from Northside high so for 15 miles Let's see a school without a three then the boy who did the job must have skipped school today I've already covered that angle Jim. I can't take it the principal He's gonna get a list of all absentees in class 1950 good. I'm gonna check up on those boys tonight Yeah, mom are y'all finished packing my back's not my fault Let's Joey in his room. He's packing too. I guess Wonder if he can even do that right and he you've complained enough about Mom, I'm only beginning when I think of the jammy almost got us in the day We could both be in the clink right now. He couldn't help what he did Mom, I'm not talking about knocking the lamp over. I mean when he kicked that door the poor boy was nervous He had stage fright. It was his first big job mom. I'm telling you right now. You're wasting your time with that guy He just ain't got no talent son. Let's not start that again. Why do you bring him to New York? Why don't you send on a little with Aunt Mary? Oh? Why not and had him wind up working in the bank your Aunt Mary is so honest She's all that must be Mrs. Carson. She's letting me an extra suitcase just a minute. Oh Yes, this is Clinton. That's right. I'm Detective Sergeant Guilford in my bed Well, I'd like to talk to you a minute, please I come in of course come ahead Who is it mom? Detectives, huh? Um, what can I do for you, mister? You have a son named Joe. That's right. Is he at home? No Where is he out playing? You know why he didn't go to school today Why what are you talking about Joe? We went to school out according to the records, Mrs. Clinton I'm going off back a minute. Hey just a minute son Huh? Are you Joe's brother? That's right. Is your name Edward? Yes, I believe you just completed serving a sentence in the state reformaturing. That's right I'm afraid I'm gonna have to find out where you were today too. Look what's this all about? There was a robbery out in Brentwood, Mrs. Clinton. Two boys were involved. Oh goodness One of them dropped this class pin from Northside High School class 1950. That's your son Joe's class Well, I know that Joey didn't have anything to do with I finished packing mom now should I Who's this guy? He's a cop Joey. I thought he was out playing. He he must have come in the best way I want to talk to you son What about this pin ever see it before? Why it was found on the floor in a house out in Brentwood that was broken into this afternoon two boys did the job. I Don't know nothing about it. Where were you today? I was I was in school at according to the records. Yeah That's where I was I tell you you're lying son. Look, I I don't know anything about that robbery and where were you this afternoon I was Eddie mom help me. I'm asking you son. Leave me alone. Where were you this afternoon, Joey? Please answer me Eddie help me sure kid Eddie my boy. I'm proud of you Tonight's case from the official FBI files will be reopened in just a moment We worked and saved to buy the house we live in It shelters us from the wind and the rain Witnesses our joys and sorrows our home The more home means to you the more interested you will be in the equitable societies Assured home ownership plan. It's a money saver. It's a home saver It's America's finest plan for home ownership sounds like it was made to order for me That's right. There's no plan for homeowners like it. Just listen to these four advantages first during the owner's lifetime A special cash fund is built up in this plan ready for use of sickness or unemployment threaten home security Second as your mortgage shrinks the cash fund increases You can use it to pay off a 20-year mortgage for example in approximately 14 years Third mortgage interest is only 4% and there is a liberal allowance to help cover title search lawyers fees and other closing costs For if the owner dies the equitable society cancels the mortgage. It's paid off in full What's more every dollar previously paid on principle is returned to the widow along with the cancelled mortgage You mean my wife would inherit our home. Yes, and clear Yes, she would and interest charges stop the day of death all in all a man is mighty lucky if his health age Income and the location of his home qualify him for an equitable assured home ownership plan Well, how can I find out if I qualify mr. Keating ask your equitable society representative? Get full information on the plan that protects you against the two major hazards of home mortgages death and hard time Look in the phone book or send a postcard care of this station to the equitable society. That's eq ui Ta BLE the equitable life-assuring society of the United States And now back to the FBI file the reluctant thief There may be those of you who are listening to this program who doubt that any mother ever existed like the one in tonight's case and the files of your FBI In a book entitled the story of the FBI recently published by EP Dutton You will find in text and pictures the true story of a mother who went even further a Mother named Ma Barker who taught her four children the gentle art of murder Or maybe you're thinking that this case doesn't apply to you because you're not teaching your children to cheat and lie and steal But it does apply to you because the road to juvenile delinquency is paved with the neglect of parents Tonight's file continues at the local FBI field office special agent Taylor returning to his desk finds a visitor waiting for him Jim Taylor. Yes, that's right. I'm dick Rutland lieutenant of detectives over at court. Oh, yes, lieutenant. I've heard of you Oh, yeah Well, I hope you haven't been waiting long. No, no, I just got here just a few minutes ago. Fine. What can I do for you? Well, this isn't a very happy mission. I'm on. Oh, I've come here to tell you about Tom Guilford. Why what's wrong? He was shot one seriously wounded last night We didn't find him in this morning He'd been driven across the bridge and dumped out on the other side of the river. How is he now? The doctors say he's off the danger list What about visitors he wants to see you back to you sent me over here to get you. Where is he lieutenant Memorial Hospital? Let's get right over there Hello, Tom Just take it easy boy. Keep your head down. Okay. Are you doing fine? Sure. I'm okay. It's well They tell you what I look I think I have this story. You just let me repeat it to you Now you went to see a family named Clinton mother and two sons one son just out of the reform school The other goes to North Side High As you were questioning them the older boy pulled a gun and shot you And they put you in the back seat of your own car drove across the river and when they hit an isolated stretch of road They dumped you what right then they obviously Jim Crossing the river took me into another state Over the state line brings the FBI in that's right Can I get you into this the hard way? Yes, I should say you did Well to review the rest of it And the alarm has already been sent out on your car town so far. There's nothing on that the Clinton house was searched But no clue as far as to where they were going or one thing. Yes Some place long away. I must have come too. I'm sure I heard one of them say something about going to New York Well, the New York police have already been alerted to watch out for the Clintons and your car good New York Field Office have been notified too. So something should turn up from one of those sources. I hope so I looked down. There's only one thing for you to worry about now. That's getting better and I'll close your eyes and get some sleep Yes, he was a very nice man an old friend of your uncle Ben. Well, what did he give you for the jewelry? $1,800 that all son when you do business with the fence especially one here in New York You take what he offers you where's Joey and the bedroom getting dressed Look mom, when are you gonna have a talk with that guy? Now's as good a time as any call him in here. Okay Joey yeah, come in here. I want you okay What is it mom? I want to have a talk with your son. Well sit down Okay, Joey you've done several things now that have gotten us into a great deal of trouble You were forcing Eddie to shoot that cop could have finished all of it. Yeah, I I know Fortunately, we got away with it, but we can't afford to have you make any more mistakes Now if I give you one more chance when you promise to behave yourself Okay, oh That's my good boy. I'll let you See I left a grocery list here someplace right on the table Emma. Oh here take this list Joey Here's the money. I want you to go to the stove. Okay. Hey stupid Let's see if you can handle something legitimate without getting into trouble Special agent Taylor. Hello Jim. This is Dick Rappler. Oh, yes, Dick I just left Tom Guilford. He's feeling much better. Oh swell. I've just got some news that should make him really feel better What's that? I got a call about an hour ago from our New York office. They've located go for its car Really? Yes, it was found abandoned on the lower east side And just a few minutes ago the New York police called they picked up a boy when they questioned him eat 40 minutes. Can you meet me at the station? Sure, Jim. Good. I'll see you at the ticket window Boys right in this room here. Oh, fine. I'm a special agent of the FBI Yeah, that's right, and this is Lieutenant Rutland. He's from your home town Joey we've come here to find out where your mother and brother are I I Can't tell you look son. Your brother is one of them a very serious charge. He shot a placement Now you'd better tell us what we can find it. I I can't I can't on it. Why not? I Promised not to mess them up anymore Please please don't make me tell look son We know there's somewhere in this neighborhood. We'll find them eventually ourselves Now, why don't you help us and save us that trouble look you can talk to me forever? I I'm not squealing Jim. This is the same routine. He's been giving the New York police ever since they picked you up. Yes, I know Joey You know anything about the law? Why you were present when that policeman was shot It come to your house to pick you up that makes you a necessary to the shooting You know what that means, son? No, it means you can be sent away for a long term if we never find your mother and brother You realize that I I Don't care. I Still ain't gonna talk then you'd better listen to what I done it, huh? Joey Is this your jacket? Yes, sir. We don't have to question him anymore dick. I know where they can be found Eddie What time is it? Ten after six what could have happened to him. He left here over four hours ago. I know I know Do you think he could have gotten lost? No He's missing. There's only one reason for it. He's in trouble again. Oh dear look mom if he's in trouble He's most likely been picked up. Do you think so? Sean. He's picked up. He's gonna talk. Oh, no, mommy's bound to if he talks We better not stay here much longer. He wouldn't squeal on his own mother and brother. He's stupid enough to do anything Wait, huh? Might be the cops. Well, it could also be Joey. I'm going to find out. Oh Thanks head where have you been? I I got picked up by the cops. Yeah, what for? I I tried to steal some gross. You what mom? I thought you'd be proud of me How'd you get away from them? I didn't get away. What? Who are you? I'm a special agent of the FBI Oh little stool pigeon. You tipped him off where we were. No, I didn't your mother tipped us off What do you mean? I found this grocery list in his jacket, Mrs. Quinn You wrote it on the back of the stationery of this apartment hotel. Oh, all right now come along all of you They Clinton family were turned over to the local authorities Young Joey was sentenced to a reformatory His brother Eddie's parole was revoked and he was sentenced to 10 years in the state prison The mother was prosecuted as an accessory and aider and a batter to theft and was sent to prison for 15 years In connection with tonight's case and the files of your FBI Jay Edgar Hoover director of the federal Bureau of Investigation has this to say to you listeners. I quote Do you have no delinquency as the number one problem of not only your FBI but of every law enforcement agency in the country? Children constitute one fourth of the population of our nation and 100% of the future of the country For that reason alone, we dare not allow another day to go by Without interesting ourselves in the problem of how to help the children of America That is a problem that concerns you Because the solution to it lies in your own hometown There are civic groups in your community who are trying to combat the evil Join them and fight with them. They need your help Because it is important that the children of the country know that the adult population is not composed of their enemies But of their friends This is the time to prove to your own conscience that you are indeed your brother's keeper In just a moment we will tell you about next week's exciting case from the files of your FBI What you said about the assured home ownership plan impressed me a lot, mr. Keating I'm going to find out if I can qualify I certainly hope you can Ted because look what you get in one package from the equitable society a Mortgage that's paid in full if the owner dies if not a cash fund to be used in financial emergencies and Mortgage interest at only 4% No wonder it's called America's finest plan for home ownership So don't delay see your equitable representative soon or write to the equitable society care of this station That's equi TABLE the equitable life assurance society of the United States Next week we will bring you another colorful story from the files of the federal Bureau of Investigation The frustrated mice The incidents used in tonight's equitable life assurance societies broadcast are adapted from the files of the federal Bureau of Investigation However, all names used are fictitious and any similarity thereof to the names of persons living or dead is accidental Tonight the music was composed and conducted by Frederick Steiner your narrator was Dean Carlton and special agent Taylor was played by Stacey Harris This is your FBI is a Jerry divine production This is Larry Keating speaking for the equitable life assurance society of the United States and the equitable society is representative in your community and Inviting you to tune in again next week at this same time when the equitable life assurance society of the United States Will bring you another thrilling story from the files of the federal Bureau of Investigation The frustrated mice on this is your FBI Now stay tuned for break the bank radio's biggest money-paying quiz show match your knowledge against contestants trying for a thousand dollars or more This is ABC the American Broadcasting Company