Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-25
HOOVER PREPARING
CRIME ATTACK PLAN
Wickersham Suggestions to
Be Utilized to Strengthen
enforcement.

BY the ASsoeiated Press.
President Hoover had before him to-
day more than so concrete suggestions
for . Simultaneous attack from all sides
upon the Nations crime problem.
Each bore the seal Of the Wickersham
Commission and represented the $780,
600 two-year effort Of that body to build
up legal machinery to compete with
modern criminalfty.
At least ~ Of the ti1ree-score recon-
mendaticns would require legislative ac-
ton end enc a possible constitutional
amendment.
with this completed work resting
upun the White HOUSE bookshelf, 1t was
said authcrita1ively that President Hoo
per already is evolving a plan for
strengthening Federal law enforcement
ACTIVITY. Gangster, racketeer and pro-
fessiunal criminal would fall within the
scope OF this plan, which viii be in
fiuenceu undoubtedly by the mass Of
data laid before him by the commission
he appointed.
Reforms Possible.
Should the President confine himself
entirely within the range of the Wick
ersham recommendations, some of the
possibilities would be these:
ECONOMY would be gained in the adj
manistrataUn Of criminal justice through
the expenditure Of more money, since
the annual expenditure to this end Of
around s24T,u0O,o0 'is Of less economic
importance than the losses inflicted by
the criminal
Congress would begin the considera-
ton Of q revised code OF criminal pro-
cedure, seeking to remedy a commits
sion finding OF TAR too many loopholeS
Of escape for the guilty person" and too
many ''technicalities favorable TO the
accused" existing In the present code. =
Widespread alliances reported between
criminals and corrupt politicians. ex-
tending their power over the police
forces in many metropolitan areas,
would be acted against.
Legislation or constitutional amend
meat would be adopted to allow judges
and prosecutors to follow the commits
sion suggestions that they be allowed
to comment ION the failure of the ac-
cused to testify" aimed at reducing
the reported usage OF third degree
methods to obtain testimony.
In addition. if the commission sug-
gastions are followed, more money VIII
Ee expended upon prosecution; more
adequate compensation win be given
win be improved TO provide more speedy
trials: waivers OF jury trials win be
encouraged and the functions OF the
grand jury curtailed.
Study Of Racke1eering.
There would be Nation wide. thor
olIgh and scientific studies Of racketeer-
forward despite warning by commis-
sion experts that such inquiry would
be highly dangerous" 70 the investi-
gators.
Commission members found that "tlse
present prison system is antiQuated
and ineficient." that II does not re-
form the criminal" and fails to protect
society"
A new type Of penal institution would
be provided in which non bars would
play y smaller part. save Tor the hard
ened few, where work would be provided
for al, education stressed and the sick,
The members found that brutal dis
cipiinary measures have no justifica-
ton in prisons and said I'VE recon-
mend they be forbidden by law"
Parole must be considered as the
best means vet devised Tor releasing
men from confinement" the commission
said Ia recommending its extension.
mo man should be sent to prison
until it is definitely determined that
he is not q at subject for parole"
Such recommendation, IN addition
to those for gathering criminal Statis-
tics upon q Nationwide scale for "a
thorough overhauling OF our criminal
laws and for the creation Of judicial
body outside the present immigration
forces to hear the appeal, OF aliens DO
not iaclude steps already taken upon
the commissions suggestion.
Legislation Prepared
Word already has come from the
Justice Department that legislation is
being prepared to carry out the com
mission recommendation that the Gov
eminent be empowered to withdraw
from the prosecution or Juveniles"
Steps s1se are pending IN the coming
Congress 10 carry out che OF the COM
missions earliest suggestions for the
revision Of section % OF the Volstead
act, relating to fruit juices, substituting
- f1xed alcoholic content for the pres
ent requirement Of intoxicating IN
fact"
5hould President Hoover desire to go
StiH further, reaching beyond the rec
concentrations OF the commission ss q
whole into the suggestions OF individual
members and experts, he would ind
ground for the creation Of Federal
institute CT human research TO de-
termine the causes Of crinas, and for the
ny-fav1efny. ~ nr1nrinvyunYtf hrrAn1tr in