Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-03

criminal justice to establish full vgor and effec
tiveness.. We need to re-establish faith that the
highest interests of our country served by in
sistence upon the swift and even-handed admins
tration of justice to all offenders whether they be
rich or poor. That we shall effect improvement is
vital to the preservation of institutions. 1t is
the most serious issue before our people.
Under the authority of Congress have APP
pointed National Commission on Law Observance
and Enforcement, for exhaustive study of the
the improvement of judicial system, including
the special problems and abuses growing out of the
prohibition laws. The commission has been invited
10 make the widest inquiry into the shortcomings of
the administration of justice and into the causes
and remedies for them. 1t has organized its work
under subcommittee dealing with the many con-
tributory of our situation and has enlisted
the aid of investigators in fields requiring special
consideration am confident that as result of its
studies now being carried forward it will make a
notable contribution to the solution of our pressing
problems.
Weeding Out Inc6iciency.
Pending further legislation the Department OF
Justice has been striving to wesd out inefhciency
wherever it exists, to stimulate activity the part
ot its prosecuting officers, and to increasing care
in examining into the qualifications of those APP
pointed to as prosecutors. The department is
seeking systematically to strengthen the law en-
forcement agencies week by week and month by
MONTH not by dramatic displays but by steady pres
sure; by removal of negligent officials and by en-
couragement and assistance to the vgilant. Dur
ing the course of these efforts it has been revealed
That in some districts causes contributing to the
congestion of criminal dockets and to delays and in
efficiency in prosecutions haveb been lack of sufi-
neys, clerks of courts and marshals. These condi-
tons tend to clog the machinery of justice. The
last conference of senior circuit judges has taken
note OF them and Endorsed the departments pro-
posals for improvement. Increases in appropria-
lions are necessary and will be asked for in order
10 re-enforce these Offices.
The orderly administration of the law involves
more than the mere machinery of law enforcement
The efficient use of that machinery and spirit in
our psople in support of law are alike essential
We nave need for Improvement in both. However
much we may perfect the mechanism still if the
10
for the protection of all thathe has and all that he
holds dear shall insist selecting the particular
laws which he will obey, he undermines his own
safety and that of his country. His attitude may
OBSCURE; but 1t cannot conceal the ugly truth that
of society We can no on g ay go O oye tine ta
pleasant reality which should be made vital in the
conscience OF every citizen, that he who condones
or tratcs with crime, who is indifferent to it and
to the punishment of the criminal, or to the lax
performance of official duty is himself the most
effective agency for the breakdown of society.
All Must Uphold Lac.
Law cannot rise above its source in good citi-
zenShip-in what right-minded men most earnestly
believe and desire. If the law is upheld only BY
Government officials. then all law is at an end
Our laws are made by the people themselves; theirs
Is the right to work for their repeal but until re-
peal it Is an equal duty to observe them and de-
mand their enforcement
have been gratified at the awakening sense OF
this responsibility in our citizens during the past
few months, and gratifed that many instances havS
occurred which refuted the cynicism which has
asserted that our system could NOT convict those
who had dehed the law and possessed the means
to resist its execution. These things reveal a moral
awakening both in the people and in officials which
lies at the very foundation of the rule of law
Conclusion.
The test of the rightfulneSs of our decisions
must be whether have sustained and advanced
the ideals of the American people; self-governmen
in its foundations of local government; Justice
whether to the individual to the group; ordered
liberty; freedom from domination: open opportu.
nifty and equality of opportunity; the initiative and
individuality of our people, prosperity and the les
sening of poverty: freedom of public opinion; edu-
cation; advancement of knowledge the growth Of
religious spirit: the tolerance of all faiths the foun.
dationS of the home and the advancement of poace