Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-10

National attention is given to the
attitude of Senator BaumeS OF new
York, author of laws in that State
dealing with the control of crime. His
belief that q parole board should have
authority modifying the provision that
fourth offenders must receive life sem
fences has found an echo in other
states which have followed the New
York example. Supporters of this
change emphasize prison riots as due
to the hopelessness of such prisoners,
and also point out that prison terms
are essentially means to reform.
Criticizing, however, the recommen-
dation by the State Senator that it is
possible to order parole even for fourth
offenders sent up for life" the Cleve-
land News finds some defects in the
proposed change, stating: 1.-THE New
York legislator would make justice
catch and convict a criminal five times
before putting him away permanently,
though it often proves unable to do
that even once. State control has not
proved very efficient In lettering pa
rolled prisoners from further offending,
The parole system has been instrument
tai In bringing on the present reign of
crime. Americas task now is suppress
ing lawlessness, not encouraging it still
further"
Study Of the matter is made also by
The Kalamazoo Gazette "Michigan'S
habitual criminal act" argues that
paper, resembles the Baumes law in
many respects, but thus far it does
not appear to have aroused the wave
of opposition that has been noted in
New York ever since the mandatory
sentence plan became effective. New
York's experience, however, clearly il
illustrates the contention that efforts to
deal severely with lawbreakers can
sometimes be carried so far as to de-
feat their own purposes. Prison riots
like those at Auburn have no doubt
played their part in convincing many
Empire State citizens that great in
crease in the number of life-term con-
victS may prove more injurious than
helpful to the cause Of public safety"
Belief that the proposed change will
be welcomed as step toward modify
ing these laws with the necessary fiexi-
bility' is voiced by the Asbury Park
Press, which is convinced that modifi-
cation will answer the most pertinent
objections that have been hurled against
them. 1t is generally admitted" con-
tinues the Press, "that in the majority
of cases life imprisonment is none too
severe for those convicted of four ma
jor offenses, although numerous in
stances have arisen when clemency APP
peared justified. Under the present
system the sole power of extending
parole lies in the hands of the Gov
ernor, who, because of the pressure of
executive duties, is seldom able to give
proper consideration to the innumerable
requests for mercy that come before
him. Senator Baumes therefore sug-
gests that the power of granting a COM
mutation of sentence be placed with
the parole board, an agency logically
empowered with the disposition of such
cases. Under his plan the prisoner,
even though his sentences we're COM
muted by the board, would first be COM
PEELED to serve the usual sentence that
would haye been imposed had he not
been a fourth offender. Thereafter his
application for clemency would rest with
the board
Perhaps Senator Baumes has been
in better position than any one else
to observe the effects of his original
enactment" says the New Orleans
Times-Picayune observing also that
1.-THE Senator's associates ON the State
Crime Commission are not satisfied
that the enactment should be perpet-
uated In Its present form" That paper
adds that "this revised enactment will
be designed to go along with the sweep
ing extension of the State parole syS-
tenn. the latter built around the policy
of Gov. Roosevelt in committing, sem
fences while making it clear that the
communication is in no sense a pardon.
X X
Quoting the State commissioner of
correction to the effect that ''the law Is
arbitrary" the New York Times COM
nlents: There may come day when
even lesser offenders Of some types may
spend the rest Of their days in jail But
that day Is far of. We must first
learn a great deal more about the
criminal mind than we know today,
and be able to say with assurance,
This man has a chance to reform: that
man Is certain to return to a life of
crime The incorrigibles may have to
be kept permanently behind prison
walls. Meanwhile, the best plsn is
probably keither compulsory Life Inn