Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-08
BAUMES PREDICTS
NEW CRIME DRIVE
Tells Bankers New York Leg
islature viii Tighten "Fourth
0ffenSe" Law.

Crime Commission, told the New York
State Bankers Association at it's con.
Guiding session today that the Legis-
ature is going to make New York
more uncomfortable than ever fov
professional criminals next year.
1.-THE commission has made Il good
beginning and is headed in the right
direction" he said. AT the mex
session of the Legislature there WY
be a further cutting of red tape s.N
effort to simplify criminal procedure
and to tighten up the Baumes law"
This. Mr. Baumes declared, was a
challenge to the UNDERWORLD of New
York that the crusade to put forth
offenders behind prison bars for life
would continue in a hammering
campaign against the big criminals
for the protection of peaceful and law
abidii:::::. ;;,:iit::zen3."
Mr.. Baumes defended the so-called
fourth -offense" law which bears his
name-"withOut my consent" he eX-
plained-and appealed to the bankers
association to help crystalline public
opinion in its support.
Clamor for Rights.
"No man clamors more loudly for
his constitutional rights than the pro-
fessional. hardened criminal" he said.
THE trouble in the past has been that
all the SYM athv has been waste I on
the criminal and none on his -i"tim.
II would be the last man to try TO
take away from any criminal his con-
stitutional rights. He must be given
the protection of the law, and is en-
titled to speedy, public trial before
an impartial jury. But the criminal
is the last person who wants speedy
trial."
Given three more years on the stat
ute books. he declared the Baumes
law would empty three prison cells Of
criminals for every one filled.
"Stiffens BacIbones."
perhaps the best thing that has
come out of these laws in New York"
he added, sis stiffening up of the
backbones of the prosecuting at
torneys and of the judges on the
bench Now we want a public
opinion to support them. so united aud
crystallized that it will assert itself
through the press and elsewhere, de-
handing punishment of criminals and
the protection of society. If public
opinion is organized. you will get it,"
The theory of the Baumes law,
which sends a man up for life SEN
tence upon his fourth conviction on
felony charge. Senator Baumes ex-
planned, is not punishment. but pro-
lection of the public. Since the law
has been in effect, he explained. Is
per cent less prisoners have been COM
mitted to prisons in New York during
the first three months of the year
than during the same period last year.
Nor have the courts ever caught
now" he added.
Claims Crime Organized.
Senator Baumes excused the New
York campaign to 'round up the
habitual criminal by claiming that
crime is organized on a businesslike
basis.
"These criminals have their high
powered automobiles on every side
with which to make a quick getaway"
he said. "They have their gunner and
their lawyers and bondsmen hired in
advance. They even have their care
fully prepared alibis fixed ahead Ct
time. No business is better organized.
1.-The modern criminal is an intelli-
gent man, usually the best dressed
man in his town, the Beau 81 ummel
of his community. He doesn't operate
in the night like his predecessor.
When he shoots, it is with the inten.
ton of killing. He shows no mercy to
his victim and there is nothing in the
Bible to say that mercy should be
shown to him.
Senator Baumes declared that an
tomobile stealing should he recognized
by the courts as one of the most seri-
Gus criminal offenses.
1.-THE automobile, next to the pis-
fnl iC the rNTnfoSCinroJ
weapon" he declared.
Other Addresses Made.
Others who addressed the session to-
day were Frank ii. Warder, superin.
tendent of banks, State of New York,
who spoke on Banking Developments
During the Last 10 Years" and Orrin
c. Lester, vice president of the Bow
cry Savings Bank of New York. on
Responsibility"
The convention closed it's business
with the election of John McHugh,
president of the Chase National Bank
of New York. as president to succeed
Carleton A. Chase of Syracuse. Other
officers elected were: Michael ]. Cahill.
president of the Utica National Bank
and Trust Co, Vice president. and J.
NJ. Kinney, vice president of the Lib
CT y DStilh VI DuIIdIO, treasurer.
Mills Delivers Speech.
Ogden l.. Mills, Undersecretary of
the Treasury. was the speaker at last
nights banquet in the Mayflower. at
tended by several hundred visiting
bankers, their families and friends.
John McHugh. president of the Chase
National Bank of New York, who is
slated to be the next president of the
aSSnaio
Discussing Some Problems I'm
Treasury Financing" Mr.. Mills Ie-
clared the general program is two
fold. Reduction of the public debt by
retiring securities and refunding them
as rapidly as possible with others
bearing lower interest rates is the
prime purpose of the Government
policy.
TO date the Treasury has been
slngularly successful in both opera
tions." he said.
Points to Decrease.
In this connection. Mr. Mills pointed
put that the volume of Government
securities has diminished rapidly and
predicted that mot many more years
will elapse before this most cOnven-
ent and safe form of investment will
be available only in limited amounts"
federai interest payments. he con-
-inued. will be S,OOO,O 900 less next
rear than they We're during the cur
'ent fiscal year, due to the debt reduc-
ion and refunding operations.
so when you read the surplus
igures for this present fiscal year do
lot be regretful that Congress might
lave given YOU the benefit of greater
AK reduction, but rather realize that
his entire surplus, having been APP
'lied TO the reduction of the national
lebt, will reduce interest charges and
VIII represent permanent annual
aving which will inure to your bene.
it in reduced taxes with lust as much
as would the more direct