Evening star., 1929-10-05
.BR|TON URGESD.C c.
.ABO[|SH:DEATHLAW
{. Roy Calvert, London PenoI.
ogist, Addresses Mass Meet.
ing at Auditorium.

With the assertion that civilization
is rapidly outlawing capital punish
ment, speakers at a mass meeting in
the Auditorium last night urged that
the District of Columbia set an exam
pie to the rest of the country by rele-
eating its electric chair to a museum,
beside other symbols of barbarism.
The principal address was made by
E. Roy Calvert of London, British
penologist. In answer to the strongest
reason for the death penalty, that II
is a deterrent to crime. Mr. Calvert
asserted that Norway, Sweden. Den
mark, Switzerland, italy. Portugal and
other European countries had abol-
ished capital punishment without any
increase in murder.
I'm no single instance did the muir
ders multiply" Mr.. Calvert declared
"and In most cases they showed a de-
cided drop. I believe that England Is
about to follow the lead of other Eu-
ropean countries and do away with
the death penalty. England and Amer
lea should stand together in this
humanitarian reform"
Introduced by Darr.
Mr.. Calvert was introduced to the
meeting. arranged under auspices OF the
American League to Abolish Capital
Punishment, by Charles w. Darr. presi-
dent of the Washington Chamber OF
Commerce, which recently went or
record against the death penalty in the
District.
Mr.. Darr pointed out that any penal
reform in the National Capital would
assert a powerful influence over the
country at large and urged public.
spirited residents to join the band OF
pioneers" whose cause would soon bs
carried to the whole world.
The English visitor, who has JUS
completed a six weeks inspection toul
of American prisons, pointed out thai
English criminal courts have a mor'
desirable effect because their penaltie:
are swift and certain rather thar
severe.
On the contrary, the speaker said, thi.
very effectiveness would be crippled
should the punishments be increased
He expressed the opinion that much oi
the delay in criminal trials here can bt
blamed on the severity Of punishment
and the reluctance Of courts and jurie:
to convict when consequences were Sc
grave.
Influence Of Publicity.
Another reason for abolishing tht
death penalty, Mr.. Calvert said, was tbs
evil influence of sensational publicity
attending murder trials. when Grim
inal goes into court to battle for hi
life," Mr.. Calvert said, there is the ele.
ment Of drama, of gladiatorial combat
which captures public attention.
Men with morbid tendencies broot
over published details of the crime
Often they are prompted to similar afro
cities. This has been proved frequently
in the trials of certain type OF crimi'
nal"
The speaker recited figures contra.
dictory to a popular conception in thi'
country that England executes large
per cent Of her murderers. OF some Isl
murders committed in the British Isle,
each year, only about IA murderers pay
the death penalty. Mr.. Calvert said thu
real deterrent to crime lay In the
greater percentage Of convictions Of the
English courts. He pointed out that 81
out of a hundred murderers were ar
rested by police, and only about 10 are
acquitted of the crime for which they
were charged.
Capital punishment was denounced a
unchristian and contrary to the oldest
concepts Of the faith by Rev. George
w. Dow, head of the Episcopal City Mis-
sion. Another speaker, DR.. Frances M
Butts, Washington educator, declared
that legalized death penalties made
every taxpayer contributor to the ex.
ecutionS Of his fellow man.