Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-02

The report of a committee OF the
National Crime Commission to the
American Bar Association recon-
mending changes in the administra-
ton of criminal law rs received with
favorable comment throughout the
country. The discussion reveals a
general recognition Of the claim that
the criminal has the advantage under
present conditions and that changes
should be made.
Reputable lawyers and discerning
citizens" in the opinion of the Kan
sas City Post, will sense the neces-
sity for some processes lifting the
criminal practice to where 1t may be-
come more efficient in attaining the
ends of justice. To the 1ayman, much
of the law is mystery, but realization
is compelled that, under the present
code, crime and its punishment are
far from being regarded In an equi-
table ratio"
The Columbus Ohio State Journal
takes the position that the thought
that too much is being done for the
criminal has been growing in this
country during recent years; that
1.-The public should have a fair chance
in fighting crime, and 1t does not have
fair chance under conditions and
laws in force today" The Little
Rock Arkansas Democrat asserts
further that criminal procedure today
makes the criminal bigger than So
ciety."
There is no installing the interest
of the people in the subject" accord
ing to the Atlanta Journal. land if
the legal profession itself does not
unite in securing the reforms. the
voice of the people sooner or later will
bear fruit in our Legislatures, State
and National. The people are deter
mined that the methods of criminal
prosecution in America shall be made
swifter, surer and more direct, and
indifference to this reform isn't going
to excuse our Legislatures much
longer" The New York World adds
that "our courts are hampered by
many technicalities and forms which
are anachronistic and unreasonable,
the barnacle growth Of decades"
y + 4
1.-THE Crime Commissions outline of
code of criminal procedure" ex-
plains the Philadelphia Public Ledger,
'limits the privileges of the accused.
but it proposes safeguards against
forcing confessions by third degree
methods and tries to assure the ac-
cused he will have capable counsel.
The code goes about as far as such
reforms dare go in giving more power
to the court and changing the jury
system"
The New Haven Register hopes
that many If not all OF the recon-
mendations made may find their way
into the statutes of the several States
of the Union" while the Kalamazoo
Gazette finds in their favor that
few If any of the changes recon-
hot tef nerlr
have been urged from time to time by
various judges and laymen anxious
to speed up the wheels of justice and
remove the numerous obstacles in the
laws path"
'sThe Crime Commission has done
WELL" the Dayton Daily News be-.
lieves, mot to be diverted to discus
sion of crimes and their definitions,
nor to be led astray by sentimental
considerations. 1t has taken things
as they are, seeking the evils in pres
ent procedure and suggesting RENE
dies: and every remedy suggested has
been tried in some State and found
good. Therein the Crime Commission
has made q genuine contribution to
sane considerations. The Raleigh
News and Observer offers the judg-
ment that plain common sense is be-
HIuu LtlC AAaPOAtoAt AOSOAAAAAASAA~A-tNASAtS
of the commission and the st. Louis
Post Dispatch directs attention to ''the
task of applying the remedies" argu-
ing that the reforms must be driven
through the Legislatures and the
courts"
THE recommendations will accom-
plish the purposes sought" asserts
the Baltimore Sun, "only where there
Is an aroused, intelligent and forceful
public opinion, earnest in demanding
adequate police protection and detec-
ton of crime, orderly but businesslike
procedure in the courts. and elimina.
ton OF red tape and interposition OF
technicalities which serve to make
trials in many jurisdictions a game
In cunning and dexterity which works
almost invariably to the advantage OF
the criminal and to the disadvantage
of society
The indianapolis News goes further
with the contention that "one of the
greatest menaces to the public today,
and to law and order and sound NOR
ais. is the criminal lawyer" with the
result. as viewed by the st. Joseph
News Press, that the effort. must be
10 make the trial of the criminal less
4 game Of skill, cunning and endur-
ancA between opposing counsel, and
more q Judicial investigation. Less
Il