The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-04-22

a sense of responsibility to his
country.
We have two immediate problems
before us in government. To in
vestigate our existing agencies of
enforcement and to reorganize our
system of enforcement in such
manner, as to eliminate its weak
neSSeS.
Weed Out Incompetent
1t is the purpose of the federal
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,
but by steady pressure, steady weed
ing out of all incapable and negli-
gent officials no matter what their
status, by encouragement, promo
ton and recognition for those who
do their duty; and by the most rigid
scrutiny Of the records and attitudes
OF all persons suggested for appoint
ment to official posts in our entire
law-enforcement machinery.
That is administration for which
my colleagues and I are fully re-
sponSible as the human material
which can be assembled for the task
will succeed.
Furthermore, wish to determine
and, as far as possible remove the
scores of inherent defects in our
present system that defeat the most
devoted officials.
Need Better Mechanism
Every student of our laW-entorce-
ment mechanism knows full we'll
that 1t is in need of vigorous reor-
ganization; that its procedure I'M
duly favorS the criminal; that our
Judiciary needs to be STRENGTHENED;
that the method of assembling our
JurleS needs revision; that Justice
must be more swift and sure.
In our desire to be merciful the
pendulum has swung in favor of
the prisoner and far away from the
protection of society.
The sympathetic mind of the
American people in It's overconcern
about those who are in difficulties
has swung too far from the family
OF the murdered to the family of
the murderer
l nave proposed to establish a ma
uonal commission to study and re-
port upon the whole of our prob
lens involved in criminal law en-
forcement. That proposal has met
with gratifying support.
l 90 not propose to be hasty in
the selection of this commission.
want time and advice. Such a COM
mission can perform the greatest of
service to our generation.
There is another and vastly wider
held than the nature of laws and
the methods of their enforcement
This is the basic question of the
understanding. the ideals, the rela-
tionShip of the individual citizen to
the law itself.
1t is in this field that the press
plays part. 1t is almost final in
It's potency to arouse the interest
and consciousness of our people. It
can destroy their finer sensibilities
or it can invigorate them. I am well
aware the great majority of our
important journals day by day give
support to these high ideals.
wonder, sometimes, however. if
perhaps little more support to our
laws could not be given in one d.
rection.
Instead Of the glamour OF ro-
nance and heroism, which our
American imaginative minds too
frequently throw around those who
break the law, We would invest with
a little romance and heroism these
thousands of our officers who are
endeavoring enforce the law it
would itself decrease crime.
Praise and respect for those who
properly enforce the laws and daily
NSAANSA emma VIII w NAlSS WHO QG1Y The
laws would help.
Nation of Specialists
Perhaps little better prepor-
toned balance of news concerning
those criminals who are contricted
and punished would serve to instill
the fear of the law.
Our people for many years in
tensely have been absorbed in bust
ness. in the astonishing upbuilding
of great country, and we have
attempted to specialize in our oc-
equations. to strive to achieve in our
own specialties and to respect COM
potency Of others in theirs.
Unconsciously. we have carried
this psychology into our state Of
mind toward government.
We tend to regard the making of
laws and their administration as a
function of group of specialists in
government whom We hired for this
purpose and whom We call public
servants.
After hiring then, ~ Il, NV r,,,r