The Washington times., 1925-01-05

accused, with Psychology playing an
important part. The successful ex-
aminer today realizes that the first
step is to gain the confidence OF q
prisoner under investigation by as.
surfing him Of a fair deal. and then
by aid of the records available and
the known facts check his state
ments until the false are eliminated
and the truth admitted.
This appears to be the present,
day practice. It may be that
occasionally, when a particularly
grave crime has been committed
a brutal murderer other outrage
that has aroused the community.
the police, in their zeal to bring
the guilty to justice, may pursue
their investigation of a prisoner to
degree that to some appears un.
reasonable and cruel. They may
hold the prisoner on general
charge Of investigation for even
several days, when they regard
other information in their posses
sion as strong evidence Of the
prisoners guilt or knowledge Of the
crime. Under such circumstances
their action is justifiable; nlt the
proper settlement Of that question
should be made in the light of al
the information possessed by the
police about the particular case.
After all, it is the Apublic, more
than the police, which should be
concerned about thegapprehending
and convictions of such criminals.
We cannot expect the police to de-
tect crime and assist in the convic'
ton of the perpetrators If we are
to deny them reasonable discretion
airy powers in connection with the
examination of suspects.
Conviction in court is the proof
OF the case, so far as the police are
concerned, and with the modern
facilities for applying information,
they would be foolish to endanger
their case by resorting to any
tactics that savored of the third de-
gree. Only q stupid official would
today use any third degree methods.
AS q matter Of fact, we have found
nothing in our investigation to sup
port any charges that the local
police department is mistreating
prisoners in any manner whatever
for the purpose of obtaining con
LESSONS or statements. We believe
their practice is to advise the pris-
oner of his constitutional rights and
then question him thoroughly: but
we have found no evidence Of un.
fairness"
Reports on Two Cases
The jury made the following re-
port on two of it's cases. Che first
was the Bush Clinton farmer case:
These men were indicted by the
grand jury for bringing a stolen
automobile into the District, and
other offenses. They were arrested
| late at night by an officer whom
we regard as both courageous and
| honorable. Two of the prisoners
plead guilty in court and the Othel
stood trial before a petit jury
During the trial, the third degree
defense was interposed, and Will,
he was convicted by other testi
mony. the petit jury reported 1t hac
disregarded the confession because
of the third degree charge. After
wards, in this investigation, WI
summoned these prisoners before
us, as well as the police and other
witnesses. The police denied tn
charge. Others testified as to TIL
character of these prisoners anC
their physical condition. They ar
rived in Washington in a stoler
car, equipped with a fair-sizec
arsenal and a good supply of burg
lars tools. These three prisoners
were hardened, experienced crimi
mails, of an extremely dangerous
type. They were not big men, physi
calIy or mentally. One was almos