Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-29
A Task and q Goal.

President Hoover has set the task and
George w. Wickersham the goal of the
National Law Enforcement Commission.
The efforts to perform the one and to
reach the other will write one of the
most important chapters in the history
of this Nation. The task is broadly
comprehensive. 1t is to ascertain the
attitude Of the people toward all laws
to determine the causes of disobedience
of laws and to recommend "construc-
tive and courageous conclusions which
will bring public understanding and
command support of its (the commits
sion's) solutions"
The goal, as outlined by Mr.. Wicker
sham, is Elusive. 1t is, as he says, an
ideal. I'VE should have such power
full judicial and law-enforcing ma
chinery as to make law breaking i'm
possible without speedy justice" No
such goal lies within the attainment
of Republic, unless it is soidly sup
ported by the people of the Republic.
II cannot be reached merely by the
passage of laws or the appropriation of
millions. It. can be reached by the
welding Of public opinion and the
creation of a public sentiment that
stand back of laws that are written to
remain.
President Hoover has minced no
words and he has dealt with the task be
fore this commission with commendable
and inspiring frankneSs. He has Great
ed this commission because there is
IAN alarming disobedience of law" be-
cause Of the existing ABUSES in law en-
forcement" and growth of organized
crime, which has spread In every field
of evil doing and in every part of our
country" Such conditions deeply con-
Germ the American people. The Nation
they have built cannot fail from growth
Of wealth or power. But it can disinte-
crate and rot If its citizens fail to re-
spect and obey the laws which they
themselves have made. The President s
commission is to find the root from
which springs this evil Of disrespect of
law. The commission cannot destroy
that root. 1t can find 1t and point it
out. Then passes to the people the de-
cision of what to do and the power to
do it.
President Hoover has never admitted
the widespread contention that exist
ing conditions of disrespect for law are
to be laid at the door Of prohibition.
Nor has his commission embarked upon
an investigation of the results OF pro-
hibition alone. But it is needless to
say that the chief interest in the COM
missions work will center upon what Is
found regarding prohibition. And 1t
is over the commissions findings re-
garding prohibition that controversy
will arise. If the commission discovers
laxity in the courts, public sentiment
will support the findings. If the COM
mission discusses the prevalence and
the cause of such crimes as murder, rob-
berry and organized graft on the part OF
public officials, the public will not feel
inclined to dispute the point, so long
as it does not touch prohibition.
But If prohibition is blamed, or II
prohibition is absolved, another fight
will have begun. The prayers OF Pres
ident Hoover for the success OF his
commission in the task he has out
lined may we'll be repeated in behalf
of a public that must be tntelligentlS
courageous enough to follow the patf
that is pointed out, and 1olIo" Il
through to the end.