The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-10-03
AMERICA SCORED
ON CRIME LAXITY
Continued from Page One.

Bureau OF American Republics at 2
o'clock in the afternoon. permanent or
ganization was effected as follows:
President, Charles r. Henderson; sec
rotary, Dr. Guilaume. Of Switzerland;
financial director. Frederick II. Mills, OF
New York NJ Rick de Belize. president
OF the Budapest congress. WIS elected
I honorary president
In his inaugural address DR.. Hender-
son outlined the work before the con-
gress. He emphasized one fact in deal
ing with the petty. or accidental, Of
fender-that no one should be placed
overnight IN a Jail If there were any
doubt OF his guilt The stigma attach
ing 10 confinement in cell even for a
night is such that the most extreme
care should be taken In not subjectng
an innocent man 10 the humiliation.
NJ Rick de Belize made a graceful
address. felicitating the congress upon
meeting IN Washington. and paid tribute
10 American hospitality
Wfckersham Is HonOred.
The inaugural ceremonies OF The Inter
national Prison Congress were made not
able by an address from Attorney Cen
eral Wiekersham. VINO was declared
president OF honor" by unanimous vote
After reeiting that a great change has
occurred in the attitude OF civilized COM
munities toward the subject Of the pre-
venton Of crime, owing 20 the utter fail
ure OF the criminal codes OF the eight
zenith century. the Attorney General
said:
Modern legislation seeks not simply 20
deter by making an example Of offend
ers. but by convincing them OF the wis
dom OF obeying the law. and by so do
ing, 70 restore him to a useful status
in society.
4 beg to invite the attention OF the
congress 10 the progress which has been
made by the Federal government since
the last meeting in 1906. The adoption by
the Congress Of the United States, a.
March, 1909. Of a revised code OF penal
laws Of the United States, codifed and
clarified the legislation defining and pre-
scribing punishment for crimes against
the United States government II mark
ed an important step in the direction OF
the legal presumption that every citizen
knows the law, may be something other
than a pitfall for the unwary.
Affairs I'm the District.
There has been a tendency in the past
in Congress 10 overlook the local affairs
OF the District Of Columbia. Congress
has been finally induced to authorize the
Tlrn 70 .fl.c. -
investigate the conditions OF the jail or
this District. as Wei as the workhouse
and other similar buildings.
Congress has established for prison
ers convicted OF Onenses against the
United States. for terms exceeding one
year. a parole system. under which.
when one-third OF the term for which
such prisoners may have been sentenced
shall have expired, they may obtain re-
lease on parole during the remainder of
the period. The same Congress enacted
a law providing for the release on pa
role OF juvenile offenders committed 10
the Reform School for Girls Of the Dis
trict OF Columbia-an institute for col
ored girls. II also passed a law estab-
fishing a probation system In the Dis
uict of Columbia.
II commend TO your attention the sub
ject of systematic visitation OF penal in
stitutions by organized nonofficial or
quasi-ohicial bodies. All human expert
ence shows that power OF man over man
will be abused II uncontrolled"
Programme for To-day.
Following is the programme of the In
ternational Prison Congress for to-day:
$50 o'cIock-Sectional meetings in Blu
reau OF American Republics. CIot open
TO public)
o'clock-Public lecture by Prof. Simon
Van der IA, of Holland, at the New
Willard auditorium.
S:l5 o'elock-General assembly at the
Bureau OF American Republics
5 o'clock-Informal reception by Presi-
dent and Mrs. Henderson to delegates
at New Willard.