The New York herald., 1922-05-01
Federal Law Is Sought to
Help Trace Bandits Who
Steal Cars.
COMMERCE CHAMBER ACTS
inquiries Into Situation and
Committee Approves Sug-
gestions by Enright.


Attorney Banton. TIE police and the
courts gave evidence yesterday OF
gathering headway rather than dimin-
ishing. A report on the New York
crime situation by the executive COM
mittee of the Chamber of Commerce
of the State of New York, of which
Irving T. Bush is chairman, made in
the light of comparison with condi-
tions in Cleveland, Chicago and De-
troit, disclosed that the committee of
the chamber has been in conference
with Police Commissioner Enright and
has indorsed some of Ills recommen-
dations. The full report of the cham
Der, which is distributed to-day to
members will be presented at the
regular meeting of the organization
next Thursday.
District Attorney Banton yesterday
issued comparative statement showing
that 2,23S cases have been disposed of
in the trial courts during the first four
months of the current year. as against
1,4s9 for the same period year ago.
The Grand Jury dismissals were 1.155,
as against 444 year ago. and the homo
eide convictions SO, as against II.
Another important announcement was
the institution of an organized drive
ciation of Federal and State Prosecutors
OF New York State, of which Mr.. Banton
Is president. Major Hiram c. Todd,
United States Attorney for the North
ern district of New York, who was in
New York yesterday In conference with
Mr.. Banton, declared that the automo-
bile thief should be treated something
after the manner in which the horse
thief OF frontier days was punished.
For n Federal Motor Law.
although we cannot hang the auto
mobile thief" Major Todd said. I'VE can
follow the excellent example of the cat
tie men and ranchers and brand our
motor cars with a permanent Federal
number. Then justice can be mado TO
follow and overtake the thief swiftly
and surely The association is there
fore supporting Federal legislation In
troduced by Representative Ogden L.
Mills Of New York, which will provide
for:
The registration of every automobile
with the clerk Of the United States Dis
trict Court and the payment of a nolni-
nal fee of 81
The uniform Identification OF motor
vehicles throughout the United States
by use of permanent number which
cannot easily be changed.
The compulsory recording OF all trans
fers and mortgages on automobiles. in
dexed under the permanent number. so
as to be traced quickly and surely.
1t is estimated by the proponents OF
the measure that during the first year
S26.0O0.000 will be raised and that
s6,000.000 will be added from year to
year from the So fee
"If the bill becomes n law" Major
Todd said yesterday. insurance COM
panies will be well able to afford re-
duction in their rates for theft insurance
that will exceed the amount OF the tax
In this way no additional burden will
DC placed upon the automobile owners"
The report OF tho executive committee
OF the Chamber OF Commerce to be pre-
sented on Thursday will carry resolu-
tions recommending the enlargement of
the police force at the earliest possible
momept the creation of a civic body
apart from any existing organization to
help promote efficiency IN the city, coun-
ty and State governments In the matter
OF the suppression OF crime and the Gre
alton by the Federal Government OF n
central bureau, where the records. his
tory. finger prints. &C.. Of every criminal
in the United States can be made avail
able to any proper authority.
Crooks Fear Speedy Trials.
The committee has found as a result
OF It's Investigations in Chicago. Cleve-
land and Detroit that what they aver
age criminal fears most is n speedy
trial. In Cleveland the investigation OF
the administration OF justice was con-
Quoted by the Cleveland Foundation un-
der the direction Of Raymond 3. Fos-
dick and Dean Roscoe Pound OF the
Harvard Law School There and else
where the committee found the most
rcprehensible practices In vogue. exactly
as they have been shown to be In New
York. namely:
The release on bail OF dangerous Grim
insls. other than first offenders during
which period Of freedom many of thcin
commit other felonies, frequently 10 be
readmittcd 10 bail.
Th practice OF suspendng sentence
on second offenders.
The imposition of indeterminate SEN
fences.
The report takes issue with Police
Commissioner Enright ana supports Dln-
trict Attorney Bauton's View that pub
lication OF the facts concerning crimes
is beneficial. On this point il says:
'The effect OF publication in the daily
press of the facts with regard 10 a par
t'cuar case where tho facts Indicate In g.
competence or worse In the Office OF tho
States attorney or in tho courts Is very
Lrmcdiate and very beneficial"
Tho report condemns head hunting
bN any citizens or legislative commit
tee and adds that broadly speaking the
police Of New York city are honest
and y fine. outstanding body of mon.
BESIDES Mr.. Bush tho other members
or the Chambers executive committee
signing the report were Thomas w. In
mont. Dclos w. Cooke. William u. Peck
David T. Warden. Frederick III. Ecker
IeCnor +. I.oree. Charles l.. Bernheimor
Frederick j. Lisman. William McCarroli
Darwin II. Kingsley. j. Picrpont Nor
Gan, William H. Porter John Clanln
Turenius ". Outcrbridgc. Alfred II