The Washington times., 1934-12-12
PARLEY WEIGHS
SUGGESTED
REV|S|ONS
Majority Rule on Juries Hit
As Often Hindering Swift
Melting of Justice
(continued from Page y


and recommended changes in the
criminal laws Of the several
States, Mr.. Loftin said, sucn as
law requiring return OF Grim
inals to the State in which they
committed crime; restriction Of
sale of firearms; a law relating
to machine guns; one dealing
with narcotics and another to
secure the attendance OF wit
neSses living outside State.
State Justice Units
Mr.. Loftin claimed credit for
his organization in sponsoring the
development of State departments
of Justice to unity law enforce
ment agencies within the State.
He also pointed out that this
was the result of the survey con-
Quoted by his organization OF
racketeering. kidnapping and the
connection between politics and
crime.
If his suggestion is adopted by
each State, the police and prose
cutors of the entire State, he
said. would be under the direction
of the States Attorney General.
Court Reform Urged
Mr., Loftin also recommended
changes in court procedure which
would expedite trial. and would
take away some Of the protection
now given a defendant in Grim
inal case.
One of the most important
subjects before the national bar,
he said, is the selection Of
judges" He declared:
"NO matter how perfect the
machinery for the detection
and apprehension of criminals,
how able and effective the
prosecution, there will be a
failure of justice if the judges
are not fair, unbiased and free
from political or other preju-
dice"
Mr.. Loftin cited the Federal
system of appointing judges,
urging that if States use a simi-
lar method, politics will be taken
out Of the judiciary.
Backs Youth Training
Proper training of youth through
better use of social. economic and
educational agencies would be a
valuable aid to elimination of
crime. James Johnson. warden OF
Alcatraz Prison, California, told
the conference
Continued development of the
American school system offers the
most hope in this direction. Mr..
johnson asserted. He pointed out
that prisons and reformatories are
damned with young men and
boys" More than so per cent of
these have arrest records and
three-fourths delinquency that
brought them in conflict with
police before they were 16, the
warden explained.
Urges Prison Work
Discussing his work in connec-
tion with Federal prisons, Mr..
johnson declared the greatest ne.
cesSity for successful prison main
tenance is work. He added:
Il believe that prison indus.
try so organized that every priS-
Oner would be required to do
sufficient work to pay the cost
of his support and thereafter
have a chance to earn money
by performing productive labor
beyond the cost of his keep
would be the best possible safe.
guard against unrest and con-
spiracy and the most effective
step in fitting prisoners for
freedom"
Mr.. johnson emphasized that
crime should not be made attrac-
tive and nothing should be done
to "coddle" men who have COM
mitted crimes.
FavOrs Asylums
Despite the fact that there Is
an abundance of law there is not
always vigor in its enforcement.
Mr.. Johnson asserted.
Discussing the problem OF in
sanity in crime. the warden
stated that in his opinion it is
not cruel to put an insane per-
son in a well-managed asylum.
George z. Medalie. former
United States District Attorney in
New York, at last nights session
recommended a central investlga'
tive organization for all the States
and to be as effective as the De-
partment of Justice.
Archaic Laws Blamed
Ferdinand Pecora, of the Federal
Securities and Exchange Commits
sion, declared that punish
in criminal cases does not always
fit the crime or the criminal when
judges and prosecutors are chosen
for political subserviency rather
than for recognized ability and in
tegrity. He pointed out, however,
that there also are instances where
the criminal courts have failed
because Of archaic laws procedure
and of substantive law.
Protests Jury Majority
Mr.. Pecora described as "ab.
Surd" the requirement of Federal
courts and of the majority Of
states that petit jury verdicts be
unanimous He said:
almost any prosecutor will
be able to cite you instances