The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-08-24
TAFT DOES NOT
FEAR EFFECT OF
SENT|MENTAL|TY
Says Result of MaudIin Sem
timent. on Justice May
Be Exaggerated.


Copyright, 1925, by United Press
Copyright in Canada)
Unauthorized publication in whole
or in part prohibited
POINTE AU PIC, Murray Bay.
Grebec Aug. Civilian Howard
Taft, chief justice of the United
States Supreme Court and the Ma
tons only living ex-President, has
little fear of the effect of "maudlin
seRtimentality of the weekly emo
tiohal' who belong to the lunatic
fringe of society on the future Of
American justice.
Mr.. Taft, an an exclusive inter
view with the United Press at his
summer cottage here, discussed the
crime situation and the difficulties
which confront the courts in coping
With itr-a question which now is
drawing the serious consideration of
public official and private citizens.
1T is common basis for COM
plant" he said, that the maudlin
sentimentality of many develops
into an obstructing public sympathy
for bloody-handed murderers who
are brought to justice, leading to eff
forts to prevent the execution of
sentences already pronounced.
Exhibition in Buffalo
"Such an exhibition as tina. re-
Gently shown in Buffalo when
murderer, since executed, was
oheered because a jury disagreed
may well be cited as an instance,
But l think the effect of such ex
pressions of the weakly emotional
may be exaggerated.
They belong to the lunatic fringe
of society. But if we can only get
the murderers convicted and SEN
fenced, l don't have any particular
alarm about sending roses and |
cheers and apparent popular sym
pathy for those on their way to the
penitentiary or the gallows."
The chief justice suggested that
part of the crime wave of today
(which flls the newspapers and dis
courage many people must in some |
degree be attributed to the war as
an aftermath" but he suggested |
that docs not explain it ALL"
Attacks Paroles
While he did not take too seriously
the maudlin sympathy complex, the
chief justice suggested that there is
however, Real danger in a lack Of
-
and persons pressing legislatures for
measures which permit the parole of
hardened criminals through appeals
to boards and officers that are not
subjected to public scrutiny" This,
he suggested, rs a challenge to pub
lie prosecutors, who should present
the interests of society against any
abuse Of the parole ai91 pardoning
power"
Then too, continued the justice,
In the effort to avoid cruelty and to
reform criminals by measures of en-
couragement, reformers forget that
the chief aim of punishment is
to protect society by deterring
others from committing crimes, and
it destroys the main object to
change a penitentiary into free
boarding house with all sorts Of en-.
tertainment. 1t robs punishment of
its characters as such and leads
criminals to think that they will not
suffer for aw-breakiRg."
Despite the situation he pictured,
Mr.. Taft is optimistic for the future,
and he observed in conclusion:
But all of this is now under IN
vestigation. Reforms are c0ntem-
plated, able commissions are at
work, the public is aroused and
look for great improvement in all
, the directions 1 have Indicated"
Daily Auto Rides
Mr. Taft's health now is such that
he can take daily automobile rides
or brief walks, besides doing his
work on briefs for the Supreme
Court.
MIR. Taft is looking forward to
seeing ali Of the Taft, family gath
cred here in Septemberf including
ten grandchildren, two sons and a
daughter, and others. 1t is expected
that about thirty or thirty-hve mem
. hers of the Taft family will be here
for Mr. Taft's birthday.
He is at work early each day with
his secretary and then rests, re.
Stunning his work in the. afternoon.
He told me he was feeling quite fit
now and laughed at reports pub
llshed in the United tSates that he
was seriously failing.
With care, the indications are Mr..