Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-02
i. S. TO EXCHANGE
DATA ON CRIMINALS
Cooperating With European
Powers for Identifying
Those Under Charges.

In order TO facilitate the capture of
criminals. the American Government
Is cooperating with several European
powers in the establishment of an in
Iernational code for the exchange of
complete criminal records and identi-
ficdtions.
This was revealed last night by
Rush l.. Holland of Colorado on retir-
ing from his post as Assistant Attor-
nev General in charge of administra-
ton.
Daugherty Case Reviewed.
Mr.. Holland, who plans TO return
to the private practice of law in
Washington, also disclosed. in turn
ing over his duties to John Marshall
Of ParkerSburg, w. Va. that Presi-
dent Coolidge had consulted him
throughout the tense period immedi-
ately preceding the resignation of At
torney General Daugherty. Mr. HoI-
land said he believed the President
never had lost confidence in the in
teGrity of the former Attorney Gen
eral, but decided on his course of ac-
ton only when convinced that the
public interest would best he served by
Mr.. Daugherty'S retirement.
With the approval of the State De
partment, Mr.. Holland undertook per
sonaIIy in 1928 the preliminary con
NerSatiOnS with foreign countries
looking 10 the PRONUNCIATION of an in
teruatiOnal code which would save
heavy cable expenses and assure sec
recy in transmission of criminal iden-
titiCatiOnS. He visited England
France, Belgium. Italy and Holland
and the proposal, he said, met with
almost instant approval on the part
of the directors of public safety and
metropolitan police in those countries.
Sir William HARDWOOD, chief of Scot
land Yard. remarking that such code
should have been created long ago.
Code Being Broadened
Although the code, as first pre-
pared, was considered as limited in
scope, Mr.. Holland said it was being
brOadened so that other countries
would look upon it with favor. He
had no doubt that the plan, which
has had the approval of President
Harding, Secretary Hughes and Att
torneyS General Daugherty and Stone,
would be sanctioned by their success
SorS and soon would be placed in op-
Grafton. After being tried out in Eu-
rope, 1t is proposed TO extend the syS-
tenn to countries of South America
Establishment of the code would not
affect existing treaties, Mr.. Holland
said, since the records would pass
through the same hands as before. but
Its operation, permitting a speedy and
direct reference of fingerprints and
other data to responsible authorities,
would greatly expedite apprehension
of fugitive.
Sees Crime Minimized.
1T is certain that crime will be
minimized," Mr.. Holland asserted, IF
we can cover the civilized world with
such coordinated and speedy sys-
tenn of exchanging records by use of
cable code. When in operation to
all countries the criminal will have
no avenue left to escape by taking
advantage of red tape. 1t will dimin-
ish crime more than all the laws on
the statute Books"
Mr.. Holland was responsible for the
establishment in the Bureau of In
Vestigation Of its criminal identified
ton system, which has been described
as the most efficient the Government
ever had.
President Coolidge. in a letter to
Mr.. Holland, made public today, ex-
pressed appreciation for the services
he had rendered the Government and
the hope that he would find oppor-
tunity to render as efficient service on
his resumption Of private life.