New Britain herald., 1929-04-22

ticial and the duty to obey il rests upon every citizen.
 No individual has the right to | determine what law shall be oheyed and what law shall not be enforced, 1 If law Is wrong. its rigid enforce ment IS the surest guaranty of its repeal.
 ''lt II ls right. it's enforcement is tthe quickest method of compelling respect for 1t. l have seen state
 ments published within a few days encoura ging citizens to defy law because that particular journal did not approve Of the law itself. l leave comment on such an attitude to any citizen with q sense of re- sponsibility to his country,
 Tn my position, with my obliga- tions. there can be no argument on these points There is no .citizen who would approve of the president of the United States assuming any other attitude. It may be said by some that the larger responsibility for the enforcement of laws against crime rests with state and local au- thorities and II does not concern the federal government. But it does concern the president of the United States. both as a citizen and as the one upon whom rests the primary responsibility Of leadership for the establishment of standards of law enforcement in this country. Re spect for law and obedience 10 law does not distinguish between fed eral and state laws-lt is common conscience
 After all, the processes of crim- inal-law enforcement are simply methods of insulting respect and fear into the minds of those who have not the intelligence and moral instinct to obey the law as a matter ot conscience, The real problem is 10 awaken this consciousness, this moral sense, and If necessary 70 segrcgate such degenerate minds where they can do no future harm.
 Two Primin2 Problems
 we have two immediate prob lems before us in government. To investigate our existing agencies of enforcement and to reorganize our system of enforcement in such man. ner as to eliminate it's weaknesses. It is the purpose of the fed eral administration systematically to strengthen its law enforcement agencies week by week, month by month. year by year; not by dra- matte displays and violent attacks in order to make headlines, not by violating the law itself through mis- use Of the law in it's enforcement, ing out of all incapable and neeli gent officials no matter what their status: by enCoura cement, promo ton. and recognition for those who do their duty: and hy the most rigid scrutiny Of the records and attitudes. Of all persons suggested for ap- continent to official posts in our entire law-enforcement machinery,
 That is the administration for which my colleagues and l are as fully responsible as human material which can be assembled for the task will succeed. Furthermore. l wish to determine and, as far as possible remove. the scores of inherent de- fects in our present system that de- feat the most devoted officials.
 Every student Of our law en- forcement mechanism knows full well that it is in need Of vigorous that it's procedure unduIy fayora the criminal; that our judiciary needs 10 be strengthened; that the method Of assem- bling our juries needs revision; that iusttce must be more swift and sure. In our desire to be merciful the pen dulum has swung in favor of the prisoner and tar away from the pro- lection of society.
 The sympathetic mind Of the American people in its over-concern about those who are in difficulties has swung too far from the family of the murdered to the family of the murderer
 Proposes Crime Commission
 With a view to eulisting public understanding, public support. &C., curate determination Of the facts and constructive conclusions, l have proposed 10 establish q national commission to study and report upon the whole of our problems in Yolved in criminal law enforcement. That proposal has met with gratify- ing support, and am sure it will have the cooperation of the bar as- soCiations and crime commissions in our various states in the wida- spread effort now being made by them.
 T do not propose 10 be nasty in the selection of this commission. l want time and advice. in order that l may select minded men, inI- partial in then judgment, skilled n the science Of the law and our Judi- cial system. clear in their concep- ton Of our institutions. such q