The Washington times., 1915-12-11
GREGORY ASKS LAW
TO HIT PlOTTERS
Attorney General, in Report,
Seeks Power to Combat
Bomb 0utrages.

with which TO punish bomb plotters
who place explosives aboard vessels
sailing from United States ports. and
men who attempt to escape from war.
ships interned In this country. are con.
tained in Attorney General Gregory 4
annual report, which was sent to Con.
gress today.
In suggesting changes In the neutral
lty laws of this country the Attorney
General says there is need for -imnedi-
ate revision because Of questions which
have arisen since the beginning Of the
European war
Measures Proposed.
His recommendations concerning
bomb plots and interned wIshjps fol-
low:
1T should be specifically made a
crime against the United States to place
bombs or other explosives on vessels
sailing from the ports OF the United
States.
TT should be made a crime against
the United States for any person to es-
cape or attempt to escape from an in
termed warship Of a belligerent nation
and in any event. authority should be
given to some department Of the gov-
ernment to arrest and return any such
person to the place of interment."
Attorney General Gregory also urges
the enactment of laws empowering the
United States Government to seize arms
and ammunition exported to Mexico In
violation Of President Wilson's procla-
nation on the subject. He says there
Is no adequate law on this subject at
present"
Commodities Clause.
Strong recommendation for amending
the commodities clause of the :nter-
state commerce act so as to prohibit q
railroad from transporting articles
mined or produced by it is made in the
report. On this subject the Attorney
General says the divorcing of produc-
ton and transportation is necessary,
and adds:
Il therefore again recommend an
amendment which will protipit a rail-
road from transporting in Interstate
commerce articles which it manufac-
tured or produced. or which were manu-
factured or produced by any corpora
ton controlled by 1t or affiliated with 1t
by having the same controlling stock
holders. irrespective of whether such
railroad or such controlled or affilla ted
corporation has an interest In the
articles at the time of transportation.
1t is also necessary. II transportation
and production are to be completely di-
vorced. that Congress prohibit any rail
road owned or controlled by a produc-
ing or trading corporation. and not
operated merely as a plant facility. from
transporting in interstate commerce
articles produced or owned by such cor
poration.
A bill to carry out this recommenda-
ton was introduced in the last Con-
EreRs by the chairman Of the House
Committee on Interstate Commerce I'll.
r. 20i70).''
Juvenile Laws "Antiquated."
The Attorney General calls particular
attention to the antiquated Juvenile
laws in the District Of Columbia and
earnestly recommends the passage of
tho legislation suggested by the conf
mittee which Attorney General McRey-
nolds appointed to consider revision.
codiIica ton and amending Of the pres
ent laws. The committee @as composed
Of Bernard Flexner, Of Chicago. chair
the Children's Bureau Of the Depart
ment OF Labor: the Rev. William J,
Kerby. professor of sociology at Cath
olic University: Walter G.. Clephane
and William II. Baldwin, Of Washing
ton. The committee drafted what the
Satisfactory laws which might be used
as a general model" and he renews his
recommendation that they be passed al
the present session.
Mr.. Gregory calls attention to the
fact that within the near future he Will
submit to Congress a detailed plan fol
employing 2,jO0 Federal conyicts who
otherwise would remain idle and be.
come greater menace to society.
New Building Proposed.
In renewing his recommendation for q
building for the Department Of Justice
the Attorney General says 1T Is no ex.
aEgeration to say that as regards hous.
ing. the conditions of the department,
could not be worse. This condition In.
terfercs with the proper organization OF
the work and renders the highest degree
Of efficiency impossible. new build.
ing would be greatly in the interest OF
both public efficiency and public
economy Mr.. Gregory says a site has
been purchased by the Government, and
he urges that an appropriation be made
at the present session with which to he.
gin construction.
The report contains brief references
to all the antitrust cases begun and
prosecuted by the department. and also
mentions the cases OF the United States
against Huerta, Pasuual OroZco. Werner
Horn. Gustav Stahl. and others accused
of violating the neutrality laws.
Attorney General Gregory asks for ar
appropriation Of slll07.5i6 for his de,