Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-21

In addition, indirect costs estimated
to run into the hundreds OF millions
were noted, even where actual figures
were unavailable.
Figures Only FrAgmentaFy.
Goldthwaite II. Dorr and Sidney p.
Simpson Of the New York bar, who en-
gineered the study for the commission,
asserted these figures were but frag-
mentary. It was wholly impossible"
they added. to make accurate estimate
of the total economic cost Of criminal
tty In the United states.
It was pointed out that the limita-
tions Of time and funds had baked
even an estimate upon such huge levies
as those extracted by organized boot
logging, extortion, racketeertng. thefts
of uninsured property, fraudulent bank
ruptcies, bucket shops and confidence
games, ranging from the sale OF gold
bricks" TO fixing fights and races.
However, the findings actually set
down In statistical form were said by
the entire aoEnmission to "strfkingly
confirm tbs Accuracy Of the general be-
lief that crime imposes Q tremendous
economic burden on the community"
Economically Important.
at should not require the dramatic
effect Of some hump sum total figure, T"
the eCmmission said, ito emphasize the
importance and necessity. from purely
economic standpoint, Of dealing ade-
quately with the problem OF preventing
crime and controlling the criminal"
Nevertheless, the IL members made
clear they did not advocate q reduction
in the cost Of crime through slicing the
cost Of law enforcement agencies. The
commission asserted these costs were
"of less economic importance than the
losses inflicted by the criminal, 80
that it Is much more important from
an economic standpoint to increase the
efficiency Of the administration Of Grim
inal justice than to decrease its cost. /"
The commission recommended that
Nationwide thorough and scientific
studies Of racketeering and organized
extortion should be made"
Urge Police Efficiency.
It also urged "the efficiency Of police
administration" be increased to o level
'commenSurate" with the expenditures
made for this service; that economy be
effected In penal treatment through the
use OF probation and parole; that more
money be spent on prosecution; that
steps be taken for the suitable compen-
SaGou OF jurors ana Witnesses and that
encouragement be given waivers Of trial
by jury
The Dorr-Simpson report, concedine
that an Investigation Of racketeering
would be highly dangerous TO the in
vestigator," nevertheless, urged that such
an investigation be made.
1T can be said without fear Of ex-
eggeration," they asserted, that the
losses due to commercialized fraud and
racketeerfng are enormous, and very
probably exceed those due to any other
form of crime"
The two experts hit out ut the
"alaicable relationships" between or
genized crime and law enforcement on
Gals, asserting this phase of racket
eering was especially acute In connec-
ton with prohibition enforcement.
Earlier the Dorr-Simpson report
dealt st length with Federal expendi-
lures for prohibition enforcement. Add
ing approximately 5000, 900 for civil
proceedings in connection with this en-
forcement to the &34 ,628. $50 already es-
tiEnated, 1t pointed out that this would
total more than SO per cent Of ali the
moneys spent for Federal Law enforce
ment.