The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-02-04
Retiring Attorney General
Makes Recommendation
to SOlOns
STATES ATTORNEYS
UNDER ONE HEAD
Would Assure Uniformity in Policy in
Prosecutions-Makes Suggestion Also
as to Detective Hire-would Make
Salary $4,000.

Copies OF the biennial report OF Former
Attorney General Herbert G. Barber OF
Brattleboro, which had been ready for
some time but which had not been sent
out because some other state reports
were delayed, have Just been mailed TO
the judges, states attorneys and state
officers, and probably they will get into
the legislature this week
The report contains a brief statement
OF the cases investigated and tried, some
of the more important correspondence
and opinions, a statement as 10 detective
service, and recommendations of the re
firing attorney general
As 10 detective service Mr.. Barber.
after showing expenses of $l5,95s.42 from
| July |, 1916, TO July l, 1918, which is a
great reduction from previous years, SAYS
he has employed practically all of the
largest and best known bureaus in the
eastern part of the country He has no
tcrith,isms TO make. but says he has giyen
the subject careful consideration with a
view TO evolving a method by which the
state might procure the best results at
minimum or, at least, substantial, re-
duet:on OF expenses The method which
he suggests is The following: $50 q.
/ "ln my opinion small staff OF two or
three experienced detectives should be
permanently attached to the department
of justice. These men should be ap-
pointed by the attorney general, who
should nave the power OF removal al any
time. and they should receive such COM
pensation ;as would make il possible To
lprocure the services of trained and re
liable investigators. II should be the
policy of the department 10 utilize as far
as possible capable officers drawn from
different quartersiof the state who would
be subject TO the suggestions and obserya-
tions OF the regular staff. but entirely
under the control of the attorney general.
These men should be allowed n reasonable
per diem and expenses. i feel that excel
lilent results would be obtained from a
system worked out along the lines indi-
Gated and that the saving to the state
would be very appreeiable."
In the section of the report devoted to
recommendations Mr.. Barber proposes
: one radical change He has only com
: men,lations for the work OF the various
:. states attorneys, but al the same time
G thinks the system as a whole might bs
4 vastly improved. In this connection hc
i says:
/ II feel that the first step should be Il
:, make the office of attorney general 1
o constitutional office Beneficial results
1 however, may be obtained with but littl,
G delay by proper legislation. To secure
n the highest efficiency and the creates
+ fexibility the states attorneys should b,
; under the direct control OF the attorne,
{ general. That officer should be made tn,
:. fsuprcme and directing head of the crimi
n nal division of the department of justice
Y and he alone responsible for its prope
administration. BY this method the re
sponsibility for strict and proper en-
foreement of the criminal laws OF tn
state would be centralized in singl
man, and uniformity of policy OF prosecu
J tion and procedure throughout the stat