Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-06-01
American Bar Association
Committee to Suggest 10
Ways to Insure Speedy and
Exact Justice
BY GEORGE F. MILTON q.
Ueased Wire Service to The Journal.)
Copyright, 1927

Copyright, 1922l
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, May 80.
Legal machinery Of the United
States is half a century behind the
times. It needs radical treatment
to bring it up to date. The prob
lens of justice and modern civiliza-
ton are unduly hampered at pres.
ent. AS a result, the law enforce
ment committee of the American
Bar association plans to suggest fif-
teen points of reform in law and
legal procedure. These will be de-
signed, Judge W. B. Swaney, of
this city, chairman of the commit
tee, says, to insure speedy and exact
justice, to curb crime, punish crimi-
nails and speed up the courts in the
nation.
These fifteen points have been ten
tatively drawn up. They are in
technicalities and strengthen the
character and ability of the bench,
bar and enforcement officials. One
Of the plans involves a searching
probe by each state Of its criminal
f1cials. Another would consolidate
detective agencies of the govern
ment under the department of JUS
tice.
The Fifteen Points
The committee will complete its
Communications at meeting to
be held in New York city June 1 in
order that they may be ready for
the annual convention of the asso-
cation converting at San Francisco
on August 8, 10 and IL.
The fifteen points so far complet-
ed provide:
/. An increase in the number of
federal judges, at the same time
giving the chief justice of the SUI
preme court and the senior circuit
judge supervisory power over the
district courts.
.. Passage Of the Shields bill pro-
hibiting the interstate transporta-
ton Of firearms, or their importa-
ton from abroad.
8. Stringent limitation of immigra-
ton so that criminals or detectives
shall have no chance of entry into
the United States.
4. Consolidation of all fedora! de-
tective bureaus under the authority
OF the department of justice with
the establishment by that depart
ment of centra, bureau of inform
alton on criminals and crimes, this
latter bureau to receive contribu-
tons from AMI it's entire facilities
to be at the disposition Of all .luni-
cipal police forces.
B. Enactment of a federal statute
against lynching and mob violence
OF all kinds so far as can be made
consistent with the constitution.
Investigation of Courts
3. An investigation by every state
OF the courts, court officials, codes
and criminal procedure there exist
ing and attempting to bring the
various codes and practices into
greater harmony.
Z. The divorce of all judicial Of
flcials from politics; an increase in
their number and betterment of
their quality. Under no circum.
stances will judge be allowed to be
a candidate for other office unless
he shall first resign his judicial posi-
ton, an announcement of candidacy
to automatically act as a resigna-
ton.
8. That trial judges shall assume
not only the law but the facts for
the jury.
9. To devise plan that will Sc.
cure better men for jury duty.
10. Simplifyin and consolidating
various judicial structures so that
speedy action will be possible in all
cases.
IL. Abolishing arrests for misde-
meanors and providing for summons
IN such cases, thus doing away with
the fee system.
II. Abolishing the practice Of re-
indictments for INSIDE
meanors.
ID. Compelling action on technical
tiles in indictment o. the original
Indictment and prohibiting reversals
on appeal on pure technicalitic-.
Regular Army of Crime
Ia. creation of an effective force
to combat organized crime. Elk
planning this, Judge Swaney said:
we found that crime now is an or.
ganlzed business. Our inquiries
demonstrated that about one.third
OF L per cent Of our population en-
cages in it. The are the regular
army of crime. They are we'll
er tipped with tools and methods.
They are opposed by the 92-3 per
cent OF tn" people who are the I'M
organized militia of law and order.
We must organize an effective
force-publ.c opinion-among the
80 2-3 per cent to combat the mill
family evil of the 1-3 of 1 per cent"
La HAe committee concurs with