Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-12-08
Palmer Has Data,
on so, 600 '.Reds''

Washington, Dec. s,--The depart.
ment of justice 10 confronted with "in-
creasingly dangerous radical activi-
ties" Attorney General Palmer said In
has annual report submitted TO-DAY II
congress.
MIR. Palmer did not go into details as
to red" activities in general, but said
that OF the total Of 3e5,295 index rec
ord cards, 1000 Bertillon records and
petite tinger-print records now in the
department, some $1,000 represented
data concerning reds" and their work
He mentioned that the department had
Increased steadily its contrbutory
sources OF investigation. adding that
this meant better facilities for running
down persons whose lives bore marks
Of crime. g..
Mr. Palmer said that while other
government agencies during the past
year were rounding out their lsbors In
cident 10 the war, ms department found
Itself only half way thru It's scores OF
investigations and litigated questions
| Countless hurareds OF claims growing
out OF the war have been made against
the government, he said, and must be
fought thru the courts. Cases in which
the government seeks 10 recover funds
paid out thru error or fraud provide
another source of supply for l!tiga-
ton. Alleged infringement OF patent
rights by the government in It's manu-
facture OF war materials as we'll as
similar claims arising from private
manufacture OF war supplies on the
cost plus arrangement also puts lits-
CATION on shoulders OF the depart.
ment's staff.
The department policy OF resuming
prosecution of trusts has restored to
activity other investigations and
crime proving machinery. the attorney
general added.
In addition TO these, Mr.. Palmer said,
the department will De burdened for
months to come with its prosecution of
vioators of the sedition and selectiVe-
service acts. Under the latter, the
number of cases runs high, he said,
Department agents are engaged now
in gathering all necessary data thru
records Of local draft boards, which
have been assembled IN Washington,
ard prosecution of the cases will pre-
coed Immediately upon completion Of
that work.
| investigations and trial arguments
during the year have shown loopholes
In many statutes. Mr.. Palmer said He
called attention 10 the fact that. under
existing law. It is not crime to send
threat ening letters thru the mails I'M
less in furtherance OF scheme to de-
fraud or as means OF extortion
Pointing out that letters threatening
personal injury or destruction OF prop
erty may be sent with impunity, he
urged revision OF the law 10 cover such
cases.
| Mr.. Palmer said also there was great
need for q statute providing punish
ment for an individual attempting to
defraud the United States. Present
statutes, he said. provide punishment
only in the event that two or more per-
sons conspire to detraud the govern.
menG
Recommendation also was made that
criminal procedure be changed TO
make more simple the removal OF In
dicted persons to the districts where
the indictments We're returned. He
described the present system as
| "grfevoOSly Celec,lFe, anu ds Hh7N'no
removal proceedings Infinitely more
cum bersome" than extradttton.
The attorney general recommended
creation Of a pardon and parole board
OF three fully empowered to handle all
pardon and parole cases. thus reliev-
ing the attorney generals office OF du-
ties which are becoming increasingly
heavy and onerous." Jur!sdictlon Of
penal institutions also should be vest.
ed in this board. he said.