Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-25
LIQUOR INDUSTRY
BLAMED FOR CRIME
BootIeggers at Bottom of
Corruption, Bar Association
Is Told.
nr ID. Associated press.

BY the Associated Press.
SEATTLE, July 25.--With the pic
ture of an alleged criminal syndicate IN
many United States urban centers
dominated and financed by the boot
Logging industry before them today,
delegates to the American Bar Associ-
alton convention planned TO hear the
annual address of Silas H. Strawn, the
president. and other official reports
and to elect members.
Growing lack of confidence in the
integrity of all public officials because
of bribery and corruption in public
Office" by bootleg money was depicted
in report read last night TO the GRIM
inal law and criminology division by
Jacob M. Lashly. president OF the st.
Louis Bar Association. The author,
Arthur ". Lasnly of st. Louis. who con-
Quoted an official investigation for that
group, was absent.
Rlames Bootleggers.
Lashly. whose report was based on
symposium of opinions of officialS,
publishers and law enforcement agents
placed 'the real problem of crime and
failure OF Justice In many parts of the
country" directly at the door Of the
hootlegging industry,
Bribery and corruption have become
common occurrences" he said. because
the cupidity OF politicians and State
and Gov -rnment officials generally has
been excited by the enormous profits of
hootleggin,- which being unlawful are
considered legitimate prey"
By-productS of the illegal industry,
the thug, bombing and hi-jaeking gangs,
often utilize their spare moments in IN
nuencing elections by terrorism. and in
evtortion schemes, LaShly said.
Many murders, hold-ups, and other
major crimes are directly chargeable to
this source"
Lashly reported more or less indis-
criminate traffcking Of intoxicants in
violation OF the law in large majority
OF American cities Of 100000 popula-
tion and over.
Figilant Public Remedy.
A vigilant and informed public. in
Sisting on honesty in office. was the
prime remedy suggested. Permanent
organized bureaus OF criminal statistics
to aid in determining those offenders,
rigid enforcement or repeal Of the pro-
htbitton laws, and breaking up of gang
rule and corruption bf officials were
other suggestions for dealing with the
professional criminal class.
New York and Chicago were called
leading crime centerS, while conditions
In other cities were given detailed study,
Cities contributing reports for the
symposium included Washington. Bos-
ton, Detroit. ST. Louis, San Francisco,
Los Angeles. Pittsburgh, Cincinnati
Seattle, Denver, Buffalo, Indianapolis,
Providence, Toledo. Akron. Memphis,
81. Paul, Mimi: Charleston. s. c.:
Oklahoma City, Fort Worth and Dallas.
Raps Lawyers In Paris.
American lawyers In Paris who have
been charged there with morally
reprehensible conduct" in rushing
American divorces through French
courts, drew the fire of President
Strawn. who suggested summary pun
ishmcnt by French courts for such
offenders
THE French courts can remedy con-
ditions by refusing 10 grant divorces 10
Americans where proceedings appear ir-
regular" he said. "Of course we know
there are those vultures who call thens-
selves lawyers. and prey upon suScep-
tible wealthy Americans desiring easy
Paris divorces, but II Is beyond our
power to restrain them"