The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-28
First Meeting Scheduled in
Cabinet Room Today.
After Luncheon.
PROHIBITION SIDE ISSUE
Investigation VIII Not Be
Centered on Dry Law,
{ Says WiCkerSham.
BY LAWRENCE SULLIVAN,
rnitsd Prs.s sf.f corresnond.nt

AnlFe1 frEes san correspondent
WASHINGTON, May 28.-Presi-
dent Hoover's national law enforce
ment commission, which assembled
In the cabinet room at the White
House today for its first meeting,
uill not inquire into the merit or de-
merits Of prohibition as national
policy, but will limit the scope Of its
inquiry to ways and means Of giving
effect 10 laws generally.
As so many Of our members have
come from such great distances, -
SAID George W. Wickersham, chair
man Of the commission, we feel
that We should accomplish as much
IS possible at this meeting. We will
begin Immediately to outline our
program"
All eleven members of the COM
mission were IN Washington for to-
DAYS meeting. They were luncheon
guests Of President Hoover at the
White House before the scheduled
cabinet room meeting at 2:30.
Prohibition Only One Phase
Contrary to what seems to be
the general public conception Of the
task outlined for the commission,
said WickerSham in an interview
with the United Press, 81 see the
question of prohibition as merely
one aspect Of the larger problem OF
law enforcement.
Certainly We shall not start on
prohibition. Rather. We shall ap-
proach the entire problem Of crime,
the administration of justice and
renal reform dealing with prohiol-
ton anly as it presents itself as
particular aspect Of the whole prob
lem
Wickersham would not venture
guess as to how long would be re-
ouired for the commissions inquiry
It will take at least eighteen months,
perhaps two years. And, since
things move slowly in the courts,
if is within the realm OF prooa-
bility that the commissions report
rnav. recommend a permanent ma
tional board to urge Announcements
in the law from year to year, IN
step with the progressive temper OF
the nation.
Center in Washington
Permanent headquarters Of the
commission will be established IN
washington. Wickersham and his
colleagues have carte blanche as to
the manner in which they snail
conduct their inquiry. Because
most of the members will be free
from their duties of livelihood dur
ing the summer months, the work
OF organization will begin forthwith.
The broad outlines of the project
will be terminated in the preliml-
nary meetings. in accordance Win
the Presidents charge today.
one of the first tasks OF the
commission will be to collate the
findings of the many inquiries
which have been conducted
throughout the country during the
last quarter century into criminal
procedure and judicial reform.
By this method the commission
will seek to avoid covering ground
in public hearings which has been
exploded adequately in previous in
vestigations.
Hearing to Be Opened
Until the agenda of the commits
sion is organized definitely, the ses-
sions will be executive. Afterward
al hearings will be open. but all
testimony will be within generous
limits. confined to the scope of the
inquiry.
we shall work along constructive
lines and seek sound and practical
ends in our reports and recommen-
- 1I-i.,I-,,-c :, q