The New York herald., 1922-01-16
PAROLE EVIL MAKES
Community BITTER
Commodore Hastings Of
Sands Point Protests
Again to Miller.
CARRIES GUN FOR THUG
Says He Told Burglar He
Would Kill Him on Sight
After Term.
PENAL LAW rs ATTACKED
PENAL LAW rs ATTACKED
Howard T. Kingsbury Finds
Inconsistencies He Thinks
Need Correcting.


Hastings Of Sands Point. Nassau
county. has written again to Gov. Mil
Ter to acquaint him with tho feeling
OF bitterness and indignation that ex-
Asts in tho community. Commodore
HastinEs's letter said:
II again desire to call your attention
30 the attitude Of the Parole Board in
regard to dangerous criminals, who,
upon tie slightest pretext. are allowed
TO run loose and pursue their ne
&arious ways. My lifelong friend
Judge Norman Dixie, is very much ag-
srieved over the action Of the board
In paroiing q dangerous character to
whom he had very properly given a
nfe sentence. criminal for more than
forty years and who had served a
dozen or more terms In jail.
There can be no contention az to the
grave and inexcusable error Of the Pa
cole Board. because, within twenty-four
hours after his release this paroled GRIM
snal broke into and robbed house in
Brooklyn and evaded the police.
saThrcat Against His Life"
The thieves who robbed my house on
Sands Point last summer have been con-
victed and have each received a very
moderate sentence. One Of them has
openly boasted that ne would take my
life as soon as he could get out. He
Turther boasted that he had political In
Sluence which would enable him to get
g speedy release from States prison, and
chat his estimated gains from the rob-
berry Of my home would net him some
100000, which would enable him to live
comfortably for the rest of his life.
eaw the man after he was convicted and
sent to jail in the Court House at Min
cola. With the knowledge Of the District
Attorney informed this thug that IL he
ehould be released or esca ne and ever
came near me would kill him on sight
and that am constantly armed with
thnt end In view.
''The intense Indignation among my
neighbors against the Parole Board Is
more bitter than ever. and they unan-
5mously agree that we are in greater
danger from that board than from the
general that II these rumors be true the
Parole Board Is directly responsible for
these crimes, and there Ia no doubt
whatever that the present unprece-
dented crime wave In this vicinity Is
largely due to the fact that criminals
are encouraged in the belief that II ap-
pretended and convicted they will not be
made to serve their sentences.
MY neighbors on Sands Point have
retained counsel and are making an in
vestigation with view to determine
what remedy. IL any, VIC may have
against this dangerous board. which
seens to be influenced end actuated by
fake penitence and crocodile tears. II not
by actual political influence.
IT regret exceedingly to be obliged to
call your Excellency's attention to this
very serious menace. but In doing 80 am
instigated by my neighbors and friends
who. as above stated, are in greater fear
Of The Parole Board than OF the GRIM
inals themselves. My close personal
friend. the Hon. Frederick c. Hicks. now
D member Of Congress from the First
New York district. tells me that he too
has entered a vigorous protest. but we
can see no redress until the counsel
whom we havo retained reports as to
what course Is open for US to protect our
lives and property"
"Inconsistencies I'm Law
Howard Thayer Kingsbury. counsel
FOR the State Transit Commission. presi-
dent OF the village Of Sands Point, is
The legal representative OF the group
referred TO by Commodore Hastings. He
began his work by looking up the laws
under which the Parole Board functions
snd hnds Inconsistencies and defici-
cncies that call for correction. Mr..
tSinxsbury said:
"rhe statutory provisions on the SUBJ
Sect are contained In Sections 2f0 to 21s
Inclusive Of the Prison Law. The board
consists Of the Superintendent of
Prisons. who is appointed by the Gov
ernor. and two other members who are
also appointed by the Governor. The
board has power 90 release certain
prisoners upon parole after serving a
minimum sentence for the ofYense of
which convicted. usually equivalent to
ane-h0if OF the maximum penalty. This
parole may be granted upon such terms
as ne board may impose.
III the prisoner on parole violates Il
~ has iapsed or In probably about 70
ape into criminal ways or company
thcn he may be rearrcsted and re-
turned 20 serve the remainder OF his
senfnnce. After prisoner has been
paroied the board has power 10 provide
for his absolute discharge from Inn
prisonment
"No Provision for Evidence.
There IN no provision in the law IN
segnrd 90 the nature or amount OF evil
dencc which is 10 he regarded by tho
board as sufficient upon these points.
ard there r. apparently no power In any
court 10 review the action of the board
Ia granting n parole or discharge.
There IL curious inconsistency In
the law IN that It's provisions are ap-
rlicable TO prisoners sentenced under q
first conviction and TO prisoners serving
terms OF life Imprisonment, but APP
rarentiy not TO prisoners serving terms
less than life upon second or third con-
vfctions. A fourth conviction for fell
only. under Section 1912 Of the Penal
law. carries with II the renalty of Inn
rrisonment for life. subject. however.
30 parole after serving the maximum
penalty provided for tho last offense."
Changes In the prison law VIII be
requested and unless the feeling SUBJ
sl1es there Ia likely 90 be n legislative
Arvcstigation denanded to go into re-