The New York herald., 1920-12-29
N. ], ACTS TO KEEP
OUT CRIME WAVE
Committee Will Study Plans
to Prevent Spread of Terror
ism From Across Hudson.
DENIAL BY ENRIGHT
Tells Gov. Edwards Conditions
Are Not Abnormal-McCran
Favors Gun Toting.
DENIAL BY ENRIGHT

Special Despatch TO TIE NEW YORK HERALD.
TRENTON, Dec. 2S.-Defnite action
toward checking the crime wave in
New York city, which is spreading into
New Jersey cities, was taken to-day at
conference Of New Jersey and New
York State. city ana county officials
called by Gov. Edwards, when resolu-
tions were adopted providing for the
appointment of a committee to study
the situation and devise ways and
means for preventing crimes Of vio-
lence William l.. Dill. Commissioner
of the State Motor and Vehicle De-
partment, chairman OF the conference,
said he would choose the members OF
the committee within a few days.
Gov. Edwards, Thomas L. McCran. At
torney-General OF New Jersey: Police
Commissioner Enright OF New York
Chief Battersby Of the Jersey City Po-
lice Department. and J. Henry Harrison.
Prosecutor OF Essex county. in their
speeches gave varying views OF the crime
wave. Commissioner Enright and
Prosecutor Harrison contended that a
crime wave did not exist, while Gov. Ed
wards and Attorney-General McCran
said they were willing to recognize that
abnormal conditions are present in all
large cities
The records Of our department" Com
missioner Enright told tho conference.
will not carry out the Idea that a
crime wave is prevalent in New York.
We are having a few spectacular crimes,
some atrocious. some tragic. but the ag-
gregate of felonies in New York for 1920
will compare favorably with similar rec
ords for 1918 and the three preceding
years"
Commissioner Enright. Gov. Edwards
and Prosecutor Harrison urged that the
New Jersey Legislature enact law SIM
liar 10 the Sullivan law In New York.
which forbids the carrying or possession
Of revolvers. Gov. Edwards told the con-
ference that in nine of ten cases OF gun
play In New York the authorities there
we're able to trace the purchase of the
firearms used TO New Jersey. Chief
Battersby and Prosecutor Harrison also
called attention TO the fact that there
was nothing TO prevent criminals from
purchasing firearms in New Jersey for
use In New York.
Attorney General McCran, however.
declared that force can be met effec-
lively only by force. and that reputable
citizens should be permitted to carry
arms when they are in positions Of dan
ger such az on lonely roads after night
fall. he declared that an armed citl-
zenry would aid materially in checking
crimes OF violence by adding 20 the dan
ger OF the bandits.
Commissioner Enright reiterated his
statement made In New York some time
ago that a national central police bu-
rsau should be established in Washing
ton, where police intelligence recording
the movements OF criminals should be
furnished 20 departments throughout tho
country. This bureau. Mr.. Enright de-
clared. should also establish relations
with foreign countries TO check Up for
oign criminals now making their way
into the United states.
Until this is done" he said, we can
not hope 90 cope successfully with anar-
chists and other radicals seeking a foot
hold In this country"
Prosecutor Harrison in decrying crime
wave talk said: when we find a man
who has been snatohng purses the
snatching OF purses ceases. When we
catch a man who has been engaged in
holdups the hoidups cease. Such would
not be true II crime were az epidemic
as IL has been pictured. think the
situation in most cities. certainly IN the
larger ones. can be handled by tho po-