Evening star., 1931-06-18

The general verdict Is that the latest
report from the WickerSham Commits
sion. charging that there Is too much
politics in the selection OF prosecuting
attorneys TOR criminal cases, Is all
too true. but the American press doubts
that much can or will be done to cor
rect the present system. Patronage,
through the Senate. the President and
the United States Attorney General. Is
blamed for the situation that now exists
and cures through an aroused and or
action and cooperation with the men,
bers of the bar are suggested.
"The cure would be beneficial II II
were not impossible" contends the Bos-
ton Transcript, which recognizes that
'the chance Of selecting some good men
already exists under our present sys-
tenn" The New York Sun suggests:
when political considerations do not
influence election and appointment OF
district attorneys, Federal and State. II
will be In an age when politics Is not
politics" The jersey City Journal con-
cludes: "One solution proposed by the
Wickersham Committee is as sound as
it is ideal-.and quite as likely to be too
Utopian for immediate help: let the
prosecutor be appointed without re-
spect to politics The commission evil
IDENTIFY thinks that longer terms OF
Office and some sort Of civil service
organization with q central control In
Washington might help to free Federal
prosecutors throughout the country
from the baneful influence Of politico-
haps evoke more practical results than
the report on prohibition"
On the other hand. the Seattle Daily
Times is convinced that the remedies
recommended by the Wickersham Com
mission for the practices which have
brought the administration Of justice
into unfavorable notice have the merit
Of common sense"
X X +
"T1he curse OF American criminal
Justice, both State and Federal" asserts
the San Jose Mercury Herald, "is poll
ties. It can never be efficient until
1t is taken out of politics. The Senate
has a splendid opportunity to render
an invaluable service to the country
, by taking Federal law enforcement out
Of politics. All that is needed Is to
forego patronage that does not belong
to it, and that cannot be taken with
out violating the intent Of the Copsti-
tuition"
Many papers feel, however, that there
Is little hope of relief through action
by the Senate, but that the remedy
must come. through the public itself
THE spirit Of the senatorial replies
to the commission encourages no hope
that the Senate and its members will
change their ways Of dealing with dis
trict attorneyships," In the opinion OF
the New Orleans Times -Picayune
which declares, "Our guess is that the
reform of She practice branded by the
investigating body viii have to await
the support Of o vigorous and wen or
ganized public opinion" The Column
bus Ohio State journal holds that
"there Is little, probably, that can bt
done about It," but advises that "the
blame for ugly conditions rests on the
people ut home and they have the
cure in their own hands"
The Des Moines Tribuue-C Capital asks
''What will the resentfur Senators gain
by exhibiting their resentment? Do
| they assume that the public wants the
maximum of politics In selection OF
judges and prosecutors or the minimum
Of politics?5 What Is the sense, even to
satisfy chronic passion for faring ct
the President. Of putting themselves de-
liberately o1 the indefensible side?"
There are suggestions that the MEM
bers Of the: bar could and should help
out the situation. It would SEEM" ace
cordins to Sl1es salt Lake peseret News.