Evening journal., 1920-11-09
susrrcE-rrs CARRIAGE AND MISCARRIAGE.

JUSIICE-fTS CARRIAGE AND MlSCAhhiA1E-
VrRoM the Bureau OF Social Hygiene, of New York, we
Il have received statistics bearing the failure Of
the administration OF Justice the United States. They
were prepared by Raymond b. Fosdlck, and Of such
nature as 10 cause thoughtful Deawareans TO sit and
take notice.
In introducing the figures, Mr.. Fosdick says.
AS many prosecuting officers have pointed out the
criminal law In America Is In which the defendant
given every chance 10 escape fair and unfair while
every possible obstacle placed in the way Of the prose-
cuton TO such extent has this situation developed
that under present conditions It would seem to be the
community that stands need Of protection rather than
the criminal
"The wonder now is not that so many guilty men
escape said a prominent member OF the Philadelphia
bar but that our present system any guilty men
are convicted. Where they have money enough to
employ the most able counsel and to take advantage OF
every delay and echncaty available they practically
never are convicted"
Mr.. Fosdick then points out IN at in single year in
Oregon-to an Illustration that could be duplicated
everywhere-there occurred Sc homicdes Forty-sx Of
the offenders were arrested. or these 10 committed
suicide and 36 held for trial OF the &c, only 3
were convicted at ALL and of these only for murder in
the first degree.
In 1918 in the city OF New York there were 323 hom-
cides, 1856 arrests and only so convictions or the 80
convictions 10 received death sentences
In 1914 in the city here were 292 homicides 1856
arrests and &C convictions. or the &C convictions
ceved death sentences
In 1917 in New York there were 236 homicdes $50 ar
rests and 67 convictions OF which received death
tences.
In 1918 in the city there were POI homcldes 256
arrests and II convictions OF which received death
sentences.
In Detroit in 1917 there were so murders iOi arrests
and "a convictions; 1918 there were Il murders iI7
arrests and 22 convictions
IN ENGLAND the situation is far different" Mr. Fos-
dick asserts. ANY volume OF judicial statistics or any
report Of the Police Commissioner OF London bears out
The contrast In 1905, for example in London-to pick
up random repor-there twenty cases or premedi-
tated murder In six the perpetrators committed sui
eide; one man sent Immediately to an asylum. and
one escaped TO Italy OF theweve persons arrested and
brought to trial, acquitted 1--WE were adiudged
insane and confined in asylum and six were sentenced
TO death
I'm 1917 in the same city there were 10 premedaled
murders Three remained unsoved; 1--WE perpetra-
tors committed suicide and eleven were arrested or the
eleven arrests there eight convictions In the whole
Of England and Wales for 1916 s. murders were com
mpled and 50 people arrested in connection Herewith
were committed for trial Fifty-three trials resulted
during The year Twelve OF the accused were found in
sane on aragnment and confined; sixteen were
found guilty but adiudged insane and confined
ten were acquitted and fifteen were sentenced 10 death
our police suffer from connection with system that
has all but broken down. From time 10 time in our in
dignauon at the obvious growth Of crime rise up and
cry out at the police Why are they not at their busl
ness? Why do they not succeedY The answer is OBJ
vious The task before is far greater than the re-
generation OF our whole system OF administering Justice
and the creation OF sound public attitude toward crime
Surely there is much food for thought I'm such com.
paratNe facts and figures. They indicate clearly ina
our system OF justice needs corrective.