The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1925-02-05
Governor SiIzer Advises Old
Fashioned Prosecution to
Stamp Out Crime in State.
CONFERENCE WITH POLICE
Prosecutors, on Initiative Of siIzerr
Plan Drive on crime-Aet on Con-
struetive Suggestions From Gov
ernor-5ridge Bill Passed Senate.

I al ola lWCALy R1OoOCQLOAO Al SnC
state with Governor Silzer, which he
| had summoned as a step towards
the adoption of systematic method
| of securing reduction of crime in the
state, the prosecutors adjourned to
! one of the Supreme Court rooms in
the State House here and informally
considered the proposals put up to
them by the executive.
The meetings will be followed up
with another one when heads of state,
county. municipal and railroad police
departments will have a conference
with Colonel Norman Schwartzkopf of
the State Police. After that session,
at which the prosecutors will be rep
resented, it is planned to lay out de-
tailed plans for more effective opera
tons against criminals.
The Governor called the prosecu-
tors into conference at the executive
offices as the first step in his cam
paign for return of Jersey justice
in simple and original form"
Other suggestions by the Governor
in his address included:
Breaking up of all notorious
gangs" in any part of the state.
Revocation of suspended sentences
in aggravated cases.
Setting bail bonds at high enough
figures to prevent escape of criminals.
Prompt grand jury action and
speedy trial.
Evidence before later grand juries
when it seems justice has miscar-
ried.
Wider exchange of thumb prints
and rogue's gallery pictures.
The Governor asked the prosecu.
tors to give close scrutiny to jury
lists selected to hear cases. 1t is i'm
portant, he declared, that the mem
bers chosen for such service be be-
yond reach of the criminal element.
The burying of petty jealousies that
exist sometimes between law enforce
ment agencies and inquiry into the
practice of some magistrates in treat
ing criminals with too much consider
alton in imposing sentence or fixing
bail, also were stressed by the execu-
tive.
In my time. have known profess
sional pickpockets to be let go on
small bail, or fined small amount
Thus they escaped, dis they could not
be found thereafter"
Check Escape of Criminals
Another need pointed out by the
Governor was the establishment Of
better methods Of inter-communica-
tion as check against the frequent
escape Of criminals.
Declaring that he did not expect
the county officials to admit the ex-
istence of crime wave in their re-
spective communities, Governor Sill
ger said that in many cases it was
nevertheless fact. He said: d
There is no doubt that all over
the United States crimes Of violence
have increased and are prevalent in
great number. A perusal of the daily
papers shocks us and is a running
account Of what is happening.
There are number of we'll
known gangs scattered throughout
our state, known to many of you.
They should be placed under sur
veillance and broken up. You know,
as | do, that crime, following the
tendency Of the time, too, has or
ganized. This must be broken up.
II would suggest that you call in
your counties conference of all chiefs
of police, and arrange for an inter-
change Of opinion and the develop
ment of better ways Of enforcing our
criminal law.
Every citizen must be assured
that when he travels upon the high
ways. or goes about his usual pur-
suits, he is safe. AS have said upon
a former occasion, a return to old
fashioned Jersey justice will soon re-
store normal conditions"
After the Governor had concluded
the talk In his office, the prosecutors
agreed to the suggestion to take up
among themselves the matters the
Governor had brought to their atten-
ton. At this session, Prosecutor
James H. Bolitho, of Morris county,
president of the Prosecutors Associa-
tion of the state, presided.
Commentator for the activity of
the Governor was expressed by a
number Of the conferees. The tenor
of the talks indicated the officials are
willing to cooperate to the limit with
the other authorities who have to
deal with crime. AS to the capacity
OF their own Offices to deal with
crime, attention was called to the
fact the STATS Of prosecutors detec-
tives are small and that they can act
only in a supervisory capacity.
Those who took the most prominent
parts in the discussion were: Prosecu-
tors Ethan P. Wescott, of Camden;
Joseph E. Stricken, OF Middlesex3
William H. Geraghty, of Mercer, and
Nilfred H. Jayne, Jr., & Ocean.
Senate Adopts Fridge Bill
While Senator Mackay was able to
secure passage through the Senate of
his bill msking provision for prelim--