Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-08-11
Days Of Pistol
Passed Forever
Vote of Barristers

purpose in the community today"
the committee on law enforcement
included in it's recommendations
submitted to the American Bar Assoc
citation tonight one for the prohibit
ton of the manufacture and sale Of
pistols, and of cartridges or ammu-
milton designed to be used in them,
save as such manufacture shall be
necessary for governmental and Off
Cial use under proper legal regulation
and control
We find that more than ninety
per cent Of the crimes in this Coun-
try are committed by the use Of
pistols continued the report of the
committee. of which judge William
Is. Swancy of Chattanooga. Tenn.
was chairman. I'VE find that the
laws prohibiting the carrying of fire
arms or deadly weapons are ineffec-
tive-in fact, that they work to the
benefit Of the criminal rather than
the law-abidinS citizen"
Other members Of the committee
were Judge Marcus Kavanagh, Chi
caCo; former Governor Charles S.
Whitman, New York: Wade H. Ellis,
Washington, ID. G., and Charles W.
Farnham Of st. Paul.
The criminal situation in the
! United States, SO far rs crimes Of
violence are concerned, is worse than
that of any other civilized country"
the report said. Here there is less
/ ia, l., al l., III
sources Of information, we estimate
! that there were more than $500 UNI
| lawful homcidcs last year in this
| country; that in 1920 there occurred
not less than 5000 such homicides,
! and that in no year during the last
/ ten years did the number fall below
! $500. In other words, during the last
{ ten years no less than $1,000 of our
/ citizens have persisted by pOisons, by
| the pistol On the knife. or by some
other unlawful and deadly instru-
mont.
"Burglarios have increased in this
country during the last ten years,
| l,20J per cent
TO Central. Southern & Eastern
/ Divisions ONLY.
Deliberate murder, burglary, and
robbery will seldom be attempted UNI
less the criminal is armed iii
European countries the criminals, as
4 rule, arc not armed.
con the other hand. in crimes
which indicate the dishonesty Of the
people, such as larceny, cXtortion,
countcmeiting, forgery, fraud and
other crimes Of swindling, a compari-
son of conditions demonstrates that
the morals of this country are better
than III any other of the largc coun-
tries Of the world.
1T is our united opinion that the
means provided in the United states
for coping with crimes and criminals
are today neither adequate nor eff
cicnt, for example:
First, We find that the parole and
probation laws. as administered, very
generally fail to accomplish the pur-
poses for which tho laws We're de-
signed and weakened the admins
tration of criminal Justice. We rec
ommend that first offender only
should be eligible for probation. We
recommend that the indeterminate
sentence laws should be modified so
as to apply TO first offenders only.
and We believe, too that neither pro-
baton nor parole should be permit
ted those convicted Of homicide.
burglary, rape or highway robbery.
second, We find that more than
ninty per cent of the murders in this
country are committed by the use of
pistols.
Third, we find tho causes for de-
lay in criminal cases so varied and
the conditions so differing that we
hesitate to make specific rccommcn-
dations. Dilatory motions, and many
other causes for delay, all accrue to
the benefit Of the law breaker.
I'VE recommend that every state
j" given every right to appeal now
enjoyed By a dcfendant-cxccpt from
Il verdict Of NOT guilty. and we rec
ommond that the prosecutor in
criminal trial shall have the right to
call the attention Of the jury to the
fact that the defendant has failed
himself 10 contradict or deny tcsti-
mony offered by the prosecution.
we recommend that the state be
given the right to amend the indict-
mcrt upon proper terms, in matters
If form.
1--WE recommend that there should
be but one appeal from judgment Of
conviction in the trial court.
we recommend that there be
enacted legislation limiting the timc
during which judges or courts nav
fold under adyisomcnt dIIatory mo-
tons made in criminal trials: that at
the expiration If such time, without
action, such 4 motion shall be deemed
to be denied.
Fourth, we find that in some of
the states the jury is the final Judge
both of the law and the facts. We
believe that such a condition is ab-
solutely subversive Of Il government
of law and we recommend the repeal
of such statutes.
Fifth, we find in various jurisdic
tons glarinc abuses in the matter Of
bail, both in the amounts imposed
and in the sulIiciency Of security Of.
fered.
sixth We find that further legis-
lation, should be enacted BY the CON
Gress to punish and prevent lynch
ing and mob violence
Seventh, we find that more string
ent laws limiting and controlling i'm
migration should be enacted ana on
forced.
Eighth, we find that the bill now
pending in the congress. increasing
the number Of United States District
Judges and comforting powers unon
The CHIEF Justice and senior circnIt