The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-04-04
RICHARDSON Found
LAW ENFORCEMENT
FAULTY IN HAWAII
Assistant Attorney Gen er a
Makes Formal Report on
Recent Investigation

Washington, April 4.-(P1-"Ex-
tremc laxity'' in law enforcement II,
Hawaii was reported to the senate
Monday by Assistant Attorney Gener-
al Seth w. Richardson. but he found
no criminal rackets" and an amount
of sex crime that seemed less than
reported from many cities and local.
ties of similar population on the
mainland"
Attorney General Mitchell sent to
the capitol the bulky report embrac-
ing testimony and data gathered by
his subordinate as directed by the
senate. It embraced a frank, often
trenchant analysis of conditions
whipped to widespread discussion
this winter after Mrs. Granville For
tescue and others were charged with
killing an Hawaiian accused of at
lacking her daughter.
Specifically opposing change in the
form of territorial government, Rich
ardson recommended the federal gov
eminent assume closer responsibility
for law and order. He criticized local
officials directly for inefficiency and
playing politics. He proposed presi-
dental appointment of heads of pros
ecution and police, leading to ar
Island constabulary.
Inefficiency Is Noted
While no evidence of a crime wave
was found, an inefficiency in the ad.
ministration of justice that consti.
tutes an invitation to crime was sale
to exist. This had led many citizens
to feel unsafe, and to a conviction BY
Richardson that the unusual condi.
tionS of race, society and industry II
the territory make continuance Of
such laxity fraught with much socia
and political danger"
Army and navy conditions there
were termed normal" with a lacl
Of racial resentment between thu
service units and the Island popula'
ton. while the service units I'm.
doubleday contribute materially to thu
crime situation" it was said. such
conditions are no different from OF
the mainland where service men are.
The document said that public re-
ports with respect to the alleged pro-
clivity of members of the Hawaiian
race in sexual crime were not sub
stantiated by the facts.
Would Censor Movies
It suggested censorship of moving
pictures, taking the view the presen
class Of pictures being shown TIL
youth might be materially improv
ed"
Serious unemployment was foreseer
from importation Of labor "togethel
with the education of Island you'll
which results in an unwillingness Il
do common labor"
Prohibition enforcement was fount
to compare favorably with condition
on the mainland and there appeared
to be mo organized liquor traffic"
Existing prominent cases" vii
have to be tried under agencies q
they exist, it was said. The judge
"seem competent" The present pros
ecutor also seems competent, and i
Is to be hoped that the courts Of tn
territory can function fearlessly AM
efficiently.
On the last point, Richardson com
mented:
I'VE have some apprehension as t
the effect upon racial antagonism Il
the territory, due to violent partisan
ship existing In the Islands with re
spect to the pending rape and muir
der cases. What that situation ma
eventually be no man may at thi
time intelligently foresee."
Administration Tmpotent'
The police administration in Homo
lulu was called "impotent, undisciplin
ed, neglectful and unintelligent, wit
It's chief concern political activity,
There also Richardson found IAN In
Experienced, inefficient county attoE
lney, immersed In politics, his deputie
] Continued on page Seven,