Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-11-17
CONGRESS VILE BE ASKED
TO REVISE NEUTRALITY LAWS
To Give Department of Justice Wider
Scope to Deal with Offenders.

Washington, Nov. 16-Revision of
the neutrality laws so the department
of Justice can deal with offenses DIFF
ficult, if not impossible to reach I'M
der existing statutes, is one Of the
tasks congress will be asked to under
take at the coming session.
This was one of the subjects dis
cussed today at the cabinet meeting
and Attorney General Gregory after
wards said his department would ask
for a change in the Sherman antitrust
act so there would be no question about
Its application to conspiracies, such
as are believed to have been respon
sible for recent strikes in munition
ing from American ports and other
activities having for their object in
reference with interstate and foreign
commerce.
Matter for Federal Courts.
Prosecutions for conspiracies of this
sort cannot be undertaken in state
courts under the Sherman act and IL
officials of any other government were
involved, the offenSe would be against
the United States and could be prose-
cuted only in the federal courts.
Amendment of the Sherman act
however. probably will not be the only
legislation of that character sought
from congress.
Developments of the last six months
have convinced officials that there is
a woeful lack of specific neutrality
statutes. for many alleged crimes have
gone unpublished after time has been
spent in investiga ton because govern
ment lawyers felt that convictions
could not be secured. About the only
statutes now in the criminal code that
have been invoked successfully are
those aimed at the transportation of
explosives unmarketed, in commerce,
and the law against enlistment in the
United States for foreign service.
Government attorneys will be freely
consulted by the attorney general re-
needed and it is possible that an eff
fort will be made to codify the laws
of the United States relating to neu-
trality violations, to espionage and
kindred matters.
No Detailed Program,
Although no detailed program has
been decided upon, an attempt may be
made to enlarge the powers of the Sc
cret service SO that it may be able to
here as result of the European war
and the interest of beliigerent govern
ments in this country.
Cannot Use Secret Service Men.
Under the present law the secret
service cannot use it's regular men in
any work except detection of counter
feiterS and protection of the president,
Although Chief Flynn is said to be
employing more than SO men in war
plot Investigations. they all really are
employees of the state department, act
ing under Flynn's direction While
the bureau of investigation of the de-
partment of justice is not so hamper
ed, having a fund of nearly $500 0G
at its disposal, its activities in other
lines are SO numerous that its regu-
Lar force cannot be used exclusively on
the task of ferreting out war plotters.
How an attempt to consolidate the
services or to enlarge the powers Of
the secret service would be regarded
by commerce. officials are not prepared
to say. Congress only few years ago
took some Of the broad powers away
from the secret service after a dis
agreement with President Roosevelt.
The extraordinary conditions now ex-
listing, however, are counted upon to
bring sufficient support to any changes
the administration may determine
upon.