The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-12-31
BAN SALES OF
FIREARMS, IS
COLLINS PLEA
Urges Congress Action as
He Steps Down From
Criminal Bench.
LAUDS PROBATION WORK
SurrenderS Bar to Baker
After is Years of
Service.

Enactment of drastic legislation to
curb the circulation of firearms, the
continued use of the probation syS-
tenn as cure for the criminal
minded, and greater regard for the
defense of poor prisoners were
among recommendations made by
Criminal Judge James "A. Collins
today as he retired from the bench
after sixteen years of service.
Surrendering to his successor,
Frank Baker, the bar which dis
poses of more criminal cases than
any other court in the midwest,
Collins leaves behind him the actual
disposition and trial since 1914 of
23,501 cases.
Out of this courtroom 1858 per-
sons have been relegated to penal
institutions.
His record of cases stands as fol-
lows: To the state prison, 1852; to
the reformatory, 2,141; to the state
farm, 2,728; to the Indiana womans
prison, 391; to Jail, 1897; to the
workhouse, So, and to the state in
stitution for the criminal insane, g..
Sent Five TO Chair
Life imprisonment sentences went
to forty nine defendants in the
fourteen years, and the death pen
atty was imposed on seven. Five
of these we're executed.
To Judge-Elect Baker, Collins
leaves 925 pending cases, exclusive
of. 155 cases appealed from munich
pal courts and ten prominent jury
cases.
recommending legislation to en-
large the scope of the court which
he j. leaving, Collins said that
enough work now is pending in the
court to keep the judge busy through
the entire January term of six
months, even though no new indict-
mentS are returned or affldavits
hled within That time.
Lauds Probation Work
During his incumbency Collins
has withheld judgment in total
of 1,146 cases, all of which carried
penal sentences.
The application of probation work
made possible that suspension, Col
Inns pointed out.
With the increased interest in
probation work in our courts it
seems now only a question of time
until adequate provision will be
made for supervision of persons
held accountable to court officers"
Collins said.
"The results obtained in the pro-
baton work of the criminal court is
convincing that there is a need in
Indiana for a statewide probation
system. Such a system would re-
suit in tremendous saving to
taxpayers. 1t would awaken public
sentiment to the fact that hundred
of persons are committed to penal
institutions for first offenses, who
are not inherently criminals, and
who, given an opportunity, could be
saved from institutions"
Criticises Recent Legislation
THE defense of poor persons
should be given a greater consider
alton. 1t certainly is just as much
the duty of the state to save man
from Imprisonment as it is to bring
about his conviction. Poor persons
properly defended would reduce our
prison population" he said.
Collins criticised recent legislation
for its impression that several pen
alties will stop crime
Experience has taught us that
the severe penalty never is a crime
deterrent" he stated.
Referring to the need for curbing
the circulation Of firearms, Collins
said:
Hits at Pistol Sales
Under the subject, Causes of
CRIME the revolver and pistol
should be placed at the head Of
the list. The unrestricted sale of
firearms in large cities always has
been a menace to law enforcement.
Curb this evil and crimes in which
the revolver plays so large a part
will be reduced to a minimum.
IF congress would enact legiSla-
ton prohibiting the shipment by
interstate commerce, mail or ex-
press of any kind of arms, except to
licensed dealers, great service
would be rendered to the nation as
we'll as the individual.
Drastic steps must be taken to
meet this growing menace in
America. No single problem deal
ing with crime is more important
than that of depriving the holdup
man and burglar of his weapons"
Ca1Ii,,e ra;I