The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-12-11
PALMER TELLS
Continued from Page one)

partment has been unable to touch
in most instances.
Turning to law enforcement &C
tivities, the Attorney General says
the government collected approx
mately $4,532,O00 in fines and
Judgments in the last year. OF TINS
S2,452,OOO came from fines IN
criminal prosecutions while the re-
mainder was collected IN civil pro-
ceedings.
Twenty.eight antitrust cases
are pending in the various district
courts over the country and the
supreme Court of the United
! States, Frank X. Nebeker, assist
ant to the Attorney General, IN
his special report on the SUBJECT
says that prosecution OF these
cases is proceeding as rapidly as
the machinery of the courts nav
ing jurisdiction can be moved. Six
teen cases against alleged trusts
ar combinations in restraint OF
trade have been instituted IN the
! last twelve months and twelve
others have been disposed OF by
final court action, Mr.. Neheker
|
says.
The report shows that in its
camnaign 10 lower living costs, the
department brought a total OF .
DIG legal actions under the Lever
act, or these, 1,O49 were on dl-
rect charges of profiteertng. Other
actions Included prosecutions I'M
def the provisions against hoaTu-
ing. manipulation of food stocks
conspiracies, etc. Indictments were
drawn in TIL instances, the re-
mort saws, and to date 80 sentences
have been Imposed.
Mr.. Palmer explains that the de-
nartment's work, especially in con-
nection with it's drive on protiteers
has been handicapped by an insut-
ficient number of attorneys auuA-
tors, accountants and similar gu
nloyees. The inadequate NUMBER
he continues, was pitted agaIns'
high priced talent OF the DIE ~
dustries and corporations, but ne
adds that the work of the depart
Tnent's staff was commemorate.
DELAY in the completion by the
deDartment of the cantonment IN
VastIgation ordered by Congress-
vas explained likewise by the IN
odenuacv Of the inquisitortal FORCE.
Mr.. Palmer says, however, that ne
arnects a report on this investiga-
zion at an early date, probably
"soon after the opening OF Con-
gress."
The number of federal prisoners
4 described as major Offenders nelu
4 in the various penal INSTITUTIONS
Ion June 80 was 4,737, as compared
with 4,788 on the same date q
year previous, says the report. VI
these 1859 were confined In FED
eral prisons, 1879 in state and ter
| rftorial penitentiaries, 225 in state
reformatories, 100 in national
training schools and the remainder
in miscellaneous institutions.
Mr.. Palmer makes numerous
Recommendations for changes IN
laws: most of which have been
sought for several years previously
by his predecessors. He asks thaS
the moot question Of the right OF
the government to have a stenos-
rapher before grand juries be del
initely established by Legislative
action in order that verbatum rec
ords OF all such investigations may
be preserved.
included in the other recom'
I mendations are these: provision
making a federal Indictment run
to all parts of the country; legs.
lation enabling the settlement OF
certain claims against vessels IN
der government control during the
war; permission for appeal by the
government to the board OF Gus
toms appeals; provision for pay
meut Of transportation OF discharg-,
j ed prisoners TO their homes al
time OF discharge which may be al
ferent than the place form wnlch
they were indicted, and the plac-
ing of bankruptcy referees on a
salary instead Of a fee basis OF
compensation.
Mr.. Palmer also recommends
practically a general increase IN
the salaries of United States at
torneys and marshals. In most cases
the Increase is $500 per year and
lis proposed the Attorney Geenrai
says, because it has been found
that many designations are being
received because the salaries OF
these officials have not kept pace
il6ith the increases In living costs