Evening star., 1933-10-29
This contains the fingerprints Of known
gangSteTS, kldnapeTS and eXtOrtlOnStS.

This contains the fingerprints Of known
gangSterS, kldnapeTS and eXtOrtlOnlStS.
The print Of each finger Of each hand
a part OF the whole hand Of the in
dlVidual. This classification makes II
possible to check on any single finger
print that may be found at the scene
OF the crime
Detailed Records Kept.
There also is maintained in this file
o detailed description card setting forth
the record Of each individual involved,
together with his photograph. Up to
September ! there had been entered
in this file the f1nserprints Of 2,363
individuals, representing total of
Is being constantly amplified. For in
stance, the names Of l57 so-called
public enemies have Just been re-
ceived from Chicago. Similar lists are
being solicited from all OF the police
departments Of the country.
A uniform crime-reporting system is
also maintained for the collection.
analysis and dissemination Of data con-
cerning the volume, nature and fiuctua-
ton OF crime as reflected by finger
print records sent to the division show.
ing current arrests.
While public attention Of late has
been directed primarily to kidnapping
ana registering, an enormous amount
OF work is being done by the Division
OF investigation under various Federal
statutes, including the antitrust laws.
the national motor vehicle theft act,
tne lmpersonation statute, the white
save tramc act and the statutory pen
aitles involved In the many attempts
70 defraud the Government. The high
nnance racketeer Is likewise Reached
by Federal prosecution under the ma
tional bank and Federal Reserve acts
as well as by mail fraud and bank,
ruptcy statutes.
Curb on Machine Gun Sale.
Another step forward Is the agree
ment recently reached with firms
manufacturing machine guns in this
country: they have agreed to refrain
from selling machine guns to any one
other than the Government itself law
enforcement agencies, banks or other
organizations having legitimate use
ior them. There Is no possible excuse
lor machine guns being freely avail
able to the underworld, and 1t Is rea-
sonaoie 10 suggest that II our domestic
manufacturers conform to such an
agreement we should not permit the
land to be flooded with guns imported
from abroad. The question OF proper
regulation Of firearms, which has long
been under the public eye, Is receiving
intensive study and will be treated,
with other matters, in the legislation
we expect to recommend to Congress.
In the meantime we are seeking ad-
vice from the best minds in the count
Try and are In direct communication
with many Of the local law enforce
ment agencies In an attempt to bring
about the maximum amount Of CO.
operation and correlation between the
various law enforcement bodies.
We invite the public to send in COM
plants IN case Of extortion and kid
naping and organized racketeering
The public can be Of great assistance
In the solution OF these crimes-in the
following way:
Government Ready To Aid.
The first move in the solution Of
every kidnapping or extortion case
should be to notify the Division Of In
vestigation at Washington. The next
thing to do Is to refrain from giving the
case any publicity locally.
Avn ~oAi SoAC y0o4 6ONC1llIuCuL
your confidence. The first interest of
the Department Of Justice will be the
protection Of the life Of the victim and
his safe return. Proper advice can be
given by the Division Of Investigation
as to the steps which will not only
provide for the return of the victim.
but will enable police to apprehend the
criminals. Even II 1t Is necessary to
pay ransom temporarily, certain pre-
cautions and safeguards can be taken
for the protection OF the victim and
the solution Of the crime.
We are in the midst Of a very real
war which must be successfully fought
If life and property are to be secure in
our country. Organized crime Is an
open challenge to our civilization, and
the manner in which We meet 1t Is q
test Of our capacity for self-govern-
ment. No one expects that we can
eradicate predatory crime from our
country In a few months or years. The
BATTLE is bound to be a continuing one.
But the progress that Is being made
Is gratifying to all friends Of honest
and orderly government.