Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-09
Continued From First Page.)

kCOTGlI1uGu TlISt EdBc.J
monplace, and the great profits to be
gained by preying upon our postwar
prosperity, have combined to create a
system of organized crime which should
arouse every responsible American
citizen.
1.-THE Nation does not yet appear to
be fully awakened to the seriousness of
this problem. AS a people we seem
incapable of effective action until We
are approaching a crisis. Do you re-
member Kipling's caustic lines giving
his view of the American spirit?
THAT bids him hout the law he
makes,
That bids him make the law he
foutS,
TILL dazed by many doubts, he wakes
The drumming guns that have no
doubts
UNFORTUNATELY, there is some truth
in. them. It is only too clearly mani
tested in the f1ippant views of those who
notification of prohibition and other
laws. To preach disrespect and disre-
gard of laws duly enacted. even though
they may be unwiSe, can have no other
result than to encourage criminals.
Must Capture Criminals.
"We shall come through this crisis
as we have through others even more
grave. but to do so we must have the
effective cooperation of all the forces
of law and justice.
First of all. we must detect and
capture the criminals. This means a
larger and better organized police force
in every State and city. It will cost
some money, but in proportion to the
menace that confronts us it will be
cheap at almost any price.
Every State should. in my opinion,
have an efficient conStabulary," Mr.. Taft
asserted with resounding thump on
the desk to emphasize his point 1T
should be organized not only to patrol
the rural districts and the State high
ways, which have become of such great
Importance with the development of the
automobile, but also to reinforce the
police forces of towns and cities when
ever conditions may make 1t necessary.
But is 1t not true" I asked, that
the problem of convicting criminal,
especially if he is rich and powerful. is
at least as difficult as catching him?"
Unfortunately, it is" the Chief Jus
tice replied. ut is a disgrace to our
country that SO many criminals with
large resources at their command have
been able to avoid paying the penalty
for their misdeeds. At the basis Of this
situation lies our jury system, which
must be improved if we are to obtain
effective Justice We must find a means
of getting intelligent and conscientious
Jurors who will not be misled by in
genious attorneys or sWayed by maudlin
appeals to sympathy.
Criticizes Delays.
"The administration of justice Is the
very basis of orderly government, and
should command the support and CO.
operation of every thoughtful citizen,
regardless of any temporary sacrifice or
inconvenience which service upon grand
juries or trial juries may entail.
IF we can perfect our police systems
and our court procedure, / have no
doubt that within reasonable time we
can bring under control even the most
aggressive gangs which are now preying
! upon our cities and States"
Turning aside for the moment from
| this question of crime and legal admin
! istration, which naturally is of peculiar
interest to the Chief Justice, and revert
| ing to the important part he played in
maintaining the Nations industrial sta
| bility during the war, I asked
do you regard the apparently steady
/ improvement in the relations between
employers and employees as a hopeful
| sign for the future?"
II do" the former joint chairman of
the War Labor Board replied. 1T
seems to me that American employers
and the men whom they employ are
nearer to an understanding of their
common interests than at any time
within our history. We still have
Bourbon business men and extremists
among the labor leaders, but the num-
Der of both these types, fortunately
appears to be decreasing year by year.
| "One of Americas greatest contribu-
| tons to human progress has been the