Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-04-10


ment of authorized commissions is
gratifying.
In many cities, however, and in sew
eral of the States, voluntary local com
missions have been created by private
citizens, so that there will be in eX-
istence by the first of June, some
fifty such local bodies.
: A number of the State Crime Com
missions appointed by the different
LEGISLATURES have filed with the Legis-
latures this year definite recommends
tons on legislation regarding crime.
While there are no definite figures re-
garding the number of the recon-
mendations enacted into law, they ace
reported in all cases to have received
serious attention and many new and
more effective laws dealing with crime
are expected to he entered on the
State statute books in consequence.
This work of securing the creation
OF special State commissions has beon
pushed by the National Crime Gem.
mission simultaneously with the eff
forts of its special committees to make
general recommendations on improve
ment in the efficiency and speed CT
! justice that would apply in all The
States. In almost every State the
commission has found that some OF
these suggestions have been embodied
in new legislation, and in many cases
the suggestions already have lecene
law.
Firearms Legislation
The menace of the gunman having
assumed serious proportions. spe-
cial committee was appointed by the
National Crime Commission to pre-
pare legislation relating 70 traffic
in firearms, of which J. Weston Allen,
former attorney general of Massa-
chusetts, is the chairman. This COM
kaittee, after hearings in New York
city with the chiefs OF police and the
district attorneys of large cities on
the Eastern seaboard, ara another
hearing conducted in CT % with
representatives present f.o-4 middle
Western cities, drafted a model bill
relating to the licensing and carrying
Aof small arms, and this bill was for
warded to governors and ehairmen of
the Judiciary Committees of the
various State legislatures. The bin
was passed as drafted by several
State Legislatures, il is reported,
while a majority of all legislatures
which met last Winter adopted its
provisions in varying degree. The
same committee viii study certain
phases of the gun carrying problem
such as the importation of foreign
pistols and the prohibition of inter
state commerce in pistols, except
under rigid egulation--during the
coming Summer and a further report
suggesting National Legislation on
the subject win be made.
With the rapid increase in forma-
ton of State and city crime commits
fn~A1YysaaIf fry tG
felt by those who have studied the
problem that the time has come for
close communication between the
bodies already formed. Any move
ment which aims at national con-
ference. fostered by the Federal Gov.
eminent, would Of course receive the
assistance of the National Crime Com
mission and its hearty cooperation.
And if no call issues from Washington,
the Crime Commission may Feel that
il should take the lead in such q
movement.
Need Of Uniformity Cited.
The need Of uniformity between the
States-particularly in such matters
as the collection and dissemination
Of statictics, exchange of information
relating to criminals, regulation and
restriction Of the carrying Of arms
very great indeed. With so many
local bodies acting independently the
assistance of the Federal Government
by inviting them TO meet in Wash
ington and exchange theri views
probably would be welcomed. While
the existence of crime in the States
is not a matter which involves the
Federal Government. the Federal
Government might materially assist
the States by arranging such a con
ference as proposed. il Is pointed out
The National Crime Commission
, was headed in its formation by IT.
Trubee Dawson, who severed his ac-
tive association with the body when
he was appointed Assistant Secretary
Of War III charge Of aviation. The
actual work Of the commission has
been vested in an executive commit
tee composed Of the following:
DR. Il. a. Alderman. president Of
the University of Virginia; Newton ID.
Baker, former Secretary OF War;
Richard Washburn Child, former Am.
bassador to Italy; Mrs Ethel Roose.
Welt Derby; Hugh Frayne. OF the
American Federation OF Labor; Her.
bert s. Hadley, chancellor of Wash.
ington University and former governor
Of Missouri: Charles Evans Hughes,
: former Secretary of State: Frank o.
Iowden. former governor Of Illinois;
Franklin d. Roosevelt. former Assist
ant Secretary of the Navy; Chester Fl.
Rowell OF California, member of the
railroad commission: Gen. James A
Drain. former commander of the
American Legion; Gen. Samuel Me
Roberts, treasurer; Charles II. Sabin
chairman OF the finance committee OF
the commission, and Assistant Score
1aaexy Davidson. chairman Of the com
mission.