The New York herald., 1921-09-27

100000 WAIT TRIAL
siSi asS j. s. INDICTMENTS
Criminal Cases in States
Tribunals Pile Up Three
Times as Fast.
ALL COURTS CROWDED
Majority of Arrests Are OF
Comparatively Youthful
Offenders.
ALL COURTS CROWDED
Special Despatch to THE NEW yoax HraALp,

SBCCtuf 0CSpuECN 10 ttb VIEW 'Oah tAEaiih-
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., sept. 80.
Criminal indictments against more
than 100000 persons now are awaiting
trial in Federal courts. Criminal cases
pending in State courts are piling up
in proportions approximately three
times as fast as in Federal courts.
Crime is on the increase throughout
the United States, Government reports
show. at rate never before equalled.
Attorney General Daugherty is giving
personal attention to the problem Of
how to cope with the situation. Chief
Justice Taft of the United states Su-
preme Court has had several confer
ences with the Attorney General con-
corning the matter.
A committee of noted jurists as
working out a programme for increas-
ing trial facilities at the suggestion OF
Mr.. Dausherty, which the Attorney
General will transmit TO Congress.
Two phases of the situation force at
tention from Federal officials aside from
the large increase In crime. First,
majority of those arrested and indicted
are comparatively youthful Second,
growing number Of women are engaging
In crime.
Many Boys Under Indictment.
In the District of Columbia majority
Of those under indictment and now
awaiting trial are under 81. In large
percentage of cases, the indictments
we're returned against boys of 20 and
81 years. Conditions in some large
cfies are reported as worse than In
Washington. In two cities juvenile de-
Inuuency has so increased in the last
two years that additional judges have
business.
Courts OF both the Federal and local
Governments are crowded and the cal
endars filled for months ahead In prac-
tically every district of the United
States Burglars. automobile thieves.
bootleggers lnoonshiners and forgers
are held in Jail awaiting action by the
authorities.
To expedite the action of Government
In cases dealing with violations of the
prohibition laws Attorney Generai
Daugherty is considering the establish
nent OF a special court. Prohibition
courts probably could not be set up by
the Justice Department without authori-
zation from Congress. This action
would come, it Is believed certain, upo
recommendation of the Attorney Gen
eraI Whether such recommendation
will be made depends. Mr.. Dausherty
has let 1t be known, on the findings ol
the judicial committee now at work for
the department.
Antitrust Cases Delayed.
Among the cases awaiting trial arc
many brought by the Justice Depart
Tnent under the antitrust laws. Prompt
action on these Is necessary 70 relieve
economic pressure on the masses, offi
clals say. Action should be especially
prompt by courts officials emphasize, IL
criminal proceedings under the anti
trust laws. Yet so great Is the press
of business In all courts that steps may
be taken only in their regular turn re-
gardless of their Importance to the
community.
Only upon the speed with which thu
courts deal with offences against tbs
prohibition laws may depend the ulti
the United States, it is pointed out.
Would be violators come to have 2
contempt for the prohibition laws, il Il
said, which means in increase in at.
tempted violations. Although violators
ere being discovered and arrested dali,
in every section OF the country by ofn
ciale Of six Federal departments. SOM
OF thos. arrested more than a year agi
have not yet been tried, the record
show
Chief OF the Secret Service Moran hai
called attention of banks and merchant
70 an official warning tha. counterfeit
Ing now Is more prevalent Throughout
tho country than ever before Almos
daily Mr.. Moran sends out description
cf spurious banknotes which counter
felters are trying to circulate in all BIZ
cities
The long series OF poet office, mai
and car robberes Is familiar 20 tn
country. During the year just ende'
robbers got away with about $4,000, 90
worth OF cash. checks, stamps. bonds
money orders ard certificates and othe
forms of securities, but the secret ser
vice squad of the Post Office Depart
ment established a high record in recov
ering stolen property. According to tn
records OF the department. mofc than 81
per cent. of the property lost has beef
Recovered.
Postmaster-General Hays believes tn
department detectives now have broker
up the organization Of mail robbers re
sponsible for a majority os The banditry