Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-28
Briefly Explains Reasons for
Probe and Hopes for
Its Success.
WICKERSHAM, IN REPLY,
PLEDGES OPEN MINDS
Declares He and Other Members
Realize Importance of I'm
dertaking.

Declaring that no nation can for
long survive the failure of its citizens to
respect and obey the laws which they
themselves make President Hoover to-
day addressed the first meeting of the
newly created Law Enforcement Com
mission.
At this initial meeting of the COM
mission. which was held in the cabinet
room. the President in brief manner
emphasized not only his reasons for
calling for an investigation of law en-
forcement. but prayed for the success
of this undertaking. declaring "for by
your success you will have performed
one of the greatest services to our gen.
Grafton"
George w. Wickersham of New York,
chairman of the commission, in re-
sponse to the Presidents opening re-
marks stated that he and the members
of the commission approach their task
with a profound realization Of its i'm
portance and with minds open to con-
slider on their merits all intelligent sug-
gestions from unprejudiced sources and
pledged himself and his associates to
discharge their duties to the best of
their ability.
Mitchell Promises Aid.
Attorney General Mitchell addressed
the commission to the extent of assur-
ing them that inasmuch as the COM
missions work will touch very closely
the Department of Justice, that the
latter can be counted on to cooperate
to the fullest extent.
The President in outlining his views
stated "The American people are deeply
concerned over the alarming disobedi-
ence of law, the abuses of law enforce
ment and the growth of organized crime,
which has spread in every field of evil
doing and in every part of our country.
A nation does not fail from its growth
of wealth or power"
The President reminded the meeting
that the problem is not confined to the
enforcement and obedience of one law
or the law of the Federal or State gov
ernment separately. The problem. ac-
cording to his contention, is partly the
attitude toward all law.
Eleven on Commission.
The members of the commission are
George w. Wickersham of New York,
Attorney General in the Taft Cabinet,
who has been designated by the Presi-
dent as chairman; Newton D. Baker
Of Cleveland, War Secretary in the
Wilson Cabinet; William S. Kenyon of
Iowa; Federal Judges William I. Grubb
of Alabama and Paul j. Mccormick
of California; Roscoe Pound, dean Of
the Harvard Law School; Henry w.
Anderson of Virginia and Monte M.
Lehman of New Orleans. prominent
members of the bar: Frank j. Loesch,
vice president of the Chicago Crime
Commission; Kenneth r. Macintosh
of Washington State, former jurist,
and Miss Ada L. Comstock. president
of Radcliffe College, Cambridge. Mass.
When the President met with the
Commission to talk business in the
| cabinet room the only persons present
beside himself and the members OF the
commission were Attorney General
! Mitchell and two stenographers.
Plan Open Hearings.
Mr.. Wickersham, chairman of the
| commission, indicated in advance of the
meeting that the body will lose no time
| in developing definite program to fol-
| low in its investigation work. He said
| that one of the first things to be done
would be to get headquarters In one OF
the Government departments here Tor
the commission. It is understood that
the commission proposes to conduct
open hearings in the larger cities. 1t
| is the chairman'S intention to keep the
members of the commission in Wash
I ington long enough to complete the or
ganization Of the body and to decide
upon a program. Their work is ex-
| pected to require two years.
AS a preliminary to today's meeting
President Hoover has had opportunity
to discuss his views of the problem in
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