Evening star., 1922-05-30
ANT|QUATEDCOU
SYSTEMS ARE HIT IN
PROPOSED REFORM
Fifteen Points for Revision
Planned by American Bar
Association.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
CHATTANOOGA. Tenn, May 30
On the showing that the legal machin-
cry of the United States Is half a CEN
tury behind the times and needs radf-
cal treatment to bring it up to date, the
law enforcement committee of the
American Bar Association plans to sug-
gest fifteen points of reform in law
and legal procedure. These will be
designed. Judge w. B. Swaney Of this
city. chairman of the committee, said
today, to insure speedy and exact JUS
tice, to curb crimes. punish criminals
and speed up the courts in the nation.
These fifteen points have been tenta-
lively drawn up. They are intended to
consolidate courts, lop of technicalities
and strengthen the character and abil-
ity of the bench, bar and enforcement
officials. One of the plans involves a
searching probe by each state of it's
and officials. Another would CONSOLE
date detective agencies of the govern
ment under the Department of Justice.
Contemplated Reforms.
The committee will complete its
recommendations at a meeting to be
held in New York city. June 1. in order
that it may be ready for the annual
at San Francisco on August 8, 10
and IL.
The fifteen points so far completed
!; An increase in the number of
ing the Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court and the senior circuit
Judge supervisory power over the
2. Passage of the Shields bill pro-
hibiting the interstate transporta-
tion from abroad.
grafton SO that criminals or defec-
tives shall have no chance Of entry
into the United States.
Consolidate Detective Bureaus.
4. Consolidation of all federal de-
tective bureaus under the authority
of the Department of Justice, with
the establishment by that department
of central bureau Of information on
criminals and crimes. This latter
bureau to receive contributions from
and it's entire facilities to be at the
disposition of all municipal police
forces.
5. Enactment of federal statute
against lynching and mob violence of
sistent with the Contitution.
s. An investigation by every state
of the courts, court officials, codes
and criminal procedure there ex-
listing and an attempt to bring the
various state codes and practices
into greater harmony.
Would Divorce Politics.
Z. The divorce of all judicial Off
cials from politics; an increase in
their number and betterment of their
quality. Under no circumstances will
judge be allowed to be candidate
for other Office unless he shall first
resign his judicial position, an an
nouncement of candidacy to auto
matically act as a resignation.
s. That trial judges should enjoy
increased powers and sum up not
alone the law. but the facts for the
jury.
9. To devise a plan that will se-
cure better men for jury duty.
10. Simplifying and consolidating
various judicial structures, SO that
speedy action will be possible in ali
cases.
IL. Abolishing arrests for misde-
meanors and providing for summons
the fee system.
IL. Abolishing the practice of re-
turning indictments for misdemean-
ors.
13. Compelling action ON techni-
calities in indictments on the original
Indictment and prohibiting reversals
On appeal on pure technicalities.
Aim at Crime.
II. Creation Of an effective force
to combat organized crime Explain-
ing this. Judge swaney said: 1--WE
found that crime now is an organ
lied business. Our inquiries demon;
strated that about one-third of / per
cent Of our population engages In ii.
They are well equipped with tools and
They are well euipped with tools and
methods. They are opposed by the
80 2-3 per cent OF the people who are
the unorganixed militia Of law and
order We must organize an effective
fcrce--public opinion - among the
80 2-3 per cent to combat the mfli-
family evil Of the one-third of / per
cent.
Is. The COMMITTEES sconcurs with
the findings OF the Chicago crime
commission that there IL too much
molIycoddling of those who are
habitua1 criminals, ana would take
steps to end it.
{CopFrixht. 1874. j