Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-07

Statements made at the Seattle ses-
sions of the American Bar Association
| have appealed to the press as chal-
| lenge both to citizens generally and
to the legal profession in particular.
Prevalence of crime is declared to call
| for an awakening of the public con-
science and an increased feeling OF
responsibility is invoked for those who
practice law. President Silas H. Strawn
of the association spoke Of the effect
on crime of the laws delays and weak
nesses. easy transportation, organiza ton
among criminals and political contrt-
buttons by law breakers. A report to
the association emphasized the effect
upon public life OF enormous profits
made by bootleggers.
"Observant Americans" says the
Cleveland News. ARE well aware of
these disquieting truths. That lawyers
also realize the facts may be encour~
aging. But 1t would be more helpful
IL the laws practitioners would recon-
mend ways to restore law TO state
of efficiency and respect. Then lay
men could consider the advisability OF
additional means: such as curbing the
extent to which lawyers can gain I'M
munity for criminals In return for shares
of crimes easy profits
lie DTDIeSSlOH IL obviously WUItAlEi =
ing about itself and its future" the
Baltimore Evening Sun suggests. Whom
does it serve? Is 1t the bulwark Of the
public against evildoers. or is 1t the bull
wark of private interests against the
public? Is it che nemesis of crime. or
is the lawyers Office the sanctuary OF
criminals? When these questions begin
to be asked. not at all ironically, but In
grave earnest, 1t Is time for the profess
sion to begin 10 check up. TO return to
first principles, to analyze its basic ten
denotes"
The statement by Mr. Strawn that
| "the reduction of crime depends not
SO much upon prosecuting officials and
courts as 1t does upon the attitude OF
| the people" Is taken up by the Savan-
nah Morning News with the comment
Those who blame the courts and the
| officers charged with the enforcement
| of the law forget that these are repre-
sentatives of the people, that they are
| chosen in election or appointed by au-
| thority Itself selected by the people,
that they are agents of and servants
| for the people; that they are Affected
| oftentimes unconsciously-~by the Will
! OF those who placed them In office.
II the laws are not enforced,
| the people can, by expression OF genu-
| inc, determined opinion bring about an
| atmosphere in which. so far as human
effort can accomplish 1t, the laws wiz
| be enforced"
1t will do no good to pass additional
! laws, only to have them 1iouted by
| crooks while complainant officials look
| on" argues the Santa Barbara Daily
| News Honest police officers and
] ysnft
| turies can and viii clean up the Grim
! inals. And an aroused public will see
/ TO IT. that officials do their duty or
drive them TO the tall timber After
all, the remedy lies with the people,
and they must use 1t or submit To the
| domination OF crooks"
| But the Louisville Times remarks
| that, las President StraWn points out,
the public is careless In the selection oil
those who are entrusted with law en-
] forcement. Therein, unquestionhbly
continues that paper. rs the principal
| point The encouragement OF DootleR'
ging comes from patrons, many OF whom
are ciassed otherwise as laW~abidlilH
citizens. But IN building up the strength
of the underworld these good cltiSens
are tearing at the foundations OF law
and order. They are giving the under
world fast ears. corruption funds ano
machine guns"
Whenever the public conscience be"
comes aroused 10 action In maintaining
respect for and obedience to law. de-
elares the Philadelphia Evening buile"
tin. there will be irresistible power W
enforce IT, II the desired results III law
enforcement of any kind are 20 DC AZ.
tanned, the appeal must go farther and
deeper than merely To the mental faeul-
ties Of the public, something more than
a condition Of alarm must be created
The conscience Of the public needs 10
be aroused"
Failure of the law TO cope with crime
b asserted by the Huntington Herald"