The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-07-03

case. Several very large cases prin-, cipally those involving the question of the reason for the high cost of living, which were filed through the action of MT. Wickersham, personally, have been brought to the courts through the per- sistent efforts of these men, but have not been brought to a decisive hear ing. They include cases against the Southern Groeers Association and it's officials, certain speculative brokers in the cotton market grain brokers who attempted to form pool for the pur- pose of boosting the price of grains. service corporations and number of industrial corporations
 In some of these cases courts have passed upon the basic points involved.' showing that the government has made out a prima facie case which should be submitted to the grand jury for their
 consideration
 MT. Wickersham, who has weather eye out at all times for conspirators and
 other law.breakers, whether large or small, states that his department is open to every one who has kick coming" and if after thorough investigation by the
 department, it is found that there is good and sufficient reason to prosecute. the office will do so provided it is proper matter for the federal govern : ment to undertake He must be assured, however, II IS annOuHCeu, tldl lle lilo- tives behind the case are impartial and
 not prompted by petty jealousies. His theory, however, will hold good, as he
 does not fall in rapidly with the policy Of indicting every and all corporations, ana then have the courts undo the work he . has spent months in perfecting, simply toF
 gratify the wishes of someone who has an axe to grind"
 He reasons in line with President Taft's
 utterances on several occelsions. when he
 stated that "bad trusts would be prose- cuted, but that good trusts would have the hearty cooperation of the adminis- tration.
 The investigation O. the subject of the imposition of what is known as the third degree" in extorting confessions from persons charged with crime by a Senate committee has become particular ly interesting to the police of Washington Although they stoutly repudiate the idea that offensive methods are used in ob- taining evidence, certain United StateSt Senators seem to think that "wheres there is smoke, there is bound to be | Ire"
 Chief Wilke of the secret service of
 the treasury department, in discussing the question, came to the conclusion that an inquiry such as is contemplat- ed by congress will bring about a number of much needed rep rms in police circles, dltnOuBn ne ueHltS tndl any harsh methods are employed in extorting confessions from criminals. Tn our work, we seldom find 1t necessary to employ what have been ltermed third degree metho ods" Usu- ally before we place suspect under ar- rest we have all the necessary evidence to convict him. When he is confront ed with a complete history of his case. { | he knows that should he stand trial the chances are that a justice will im- pose a much longer sentence than if he confessed.
 Tn many instances this applies to police departments There are cases. however, where the police have only lcircumstantial evidence and it becomes
 necessary to sweat" prisoner. "The days of the inquisition are l. long passed and to say fhat prisoners
 are put on modern rack until they
 duplicate themselves in some crime.
 is, believe, unjust. The senatorial in-
 ouiry, however. will go long way In
 bringing to light the meth ods used by
 various police forces and no doubt a
 great deal of interesting testimony will
 be secured As far as this department
 fs concerned, however. we shall wll-
 ingly submit to any examination that may be reuuired,"