The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-03
Delegates from Thirty-Nine Foreign Countries Gather
 At Prison Congress
W|CKERSHAM WELCOMES
 THE MANY DELEGATES
cngo University Makes the Opening Address and Complains Police Arc Often Too Nasty

Washington, October 2.-With delegates present from 39 foreign countries, the International Prison congress assembled here today with much form and cere- mony. Attorney General Wickersham of ficially welcomed the visitors to the United States on behalf of the Presi- dent and briefly addressed them on the progress toward the prevention of crime made in this country since the last con- gress in Budapest in 1905.
 Rickl de Bellye of Budapest, former president of the congress. responded in French. paying a glowing tribute to Washington and the American people in general and thanking the Americans for the splendid reception they had accorded the foreign delegates since their arrival on these shores
 Complaint that the police often are toe nasty about putting persons in Jail was responded to by Charles R. Henderson professor of sociology at the University of Chicago, during his opening address 'The keeping of first offenders in jail even one night, where it might have been Avoided, often accomplshes irreparable injury" claimed Professor Henderson with emphasis. q am afraid many per- sons have been started on careers of crime by being subjected needlessly to the humiliation of temporary incarcera- tion in city prisons.'
 Expressing the opinion that a change had occurred in the attitude of civilized communities toward the subject of the prevention of crime, the Attorney Gen. eral, in his address, declared that mod ern legislation sought not simply to de. ter by making an example of offenders but by convincing the offender of tn, wisdom of obeying the law and by s, doingrto restore him to useful statu in society
 'The adoption by Congress in March 1909, of a revised code Of penal laws codified and clarified the legislation de f1ning and prescribing punishment fol crimes against the United States gov ernment and marks an important stel in the direction of reducing our law tc such certainty that the legal presump tion that every citizen knows the law may be something other than a pitfal for the unwary," said MT. Wickersham.
 "All over the land you will find a spirit of wholesome interest in the discharge oi the duties which rest upon society tc deal with the offenders against its laws without vindictiveness and without dis elimination
 The Attorney General urged the sys. tematic visitation of penal institutions by organized non-official or quasi-offi- cial bodies.
 All human experience shows that power of man over man will be abused If uncontrolled.' he said.
 "The necessary and wholesome dis cipline of a penal institution not only furnishes great opportunities for tyranni- cal conduct on the part of the prison of- ficials. but renders it particularly diffi- cult for a prisoner with just cause for complaint to obtain redress or even hearing of his complaint. There can be no more effectual guarantee against abuse of power by prison officials than the liability at any moment to visit by an outside committee or citizen au- thorized by law to inspect any part of the establishment and to question alike prisoners and officials
 President Henderson announced the ap- pointment of vice presidents for Con- gress and designated MT. Wickersham president of honor of the Congress. Rickl de Bellye of Budapest and c. R. Broadway, former superintendent of the Elmira N r., reformatory, were made ilOioi di PlcsiocHlS. Ht cOusltSS WILL divide each morning into four sections, re-uniting at afternoon meetings for public discussion of the work of the sec tions. The president announced that the sections would be in charge of the fol- lowing: .
 Criminal law, Dr. Adloph Prinz of Bel gium; prison administration, Dr. Simon Van Adaa Holland; crime preventative agencies, Sir Evelyn Ruggles Brise of England; juvenile delinquency, Miss Katherine B. Kavis of the University of Chicago.
 Tonight the congress held a joint meet ing with the American Prison association, at which addresses were made by both American and foreign delegates
 The congress is meeting in the audi torium of the beautiful new marble room of the Bureau of American republics Like all opening sessions today's meeting was formal and perfunctory. All an- nouncements were made by the presi- dent in both French and English. The International congress meets every five years, but during the 40 years of it's ex- istence it has never before assembled in this country. The 1915 congress probably will meet in London.
 Numbered among the delegates are some of the most noted criminologists in the world including the following: M. A. Schrameck, inspector-general of French prisons; Sir Evelyn Ruggles Bryse president of the prison commits sion, London; M. Etienne/ de Khrouleff, chief of the prison administration of Russia; Adolph Prinz. inspector general of prisons Belgium; D. Castorks of Ma tional university of Greece M. Pierantoni of the Italian senate, Rickl de Bellye, councillor to the ministry. Budapest Hun. gary; M. Woxen. inspector of prisons Norway; Dr. Guillame of Switzerland, M, Simon vanderaa, University of Cronen- gen, Holland.