Evening star., 1934-12-14

repression should still remain with the
local authorities"
The conference recognized that
criminal careers usually originate in
the early years of neglected childhood
and that the most fundamental and
hopeful measures of crime prevention
are those directed toward discovering
the underlying factors in the delin-
quency of children and strengthening
and co-ordinating the resources Of the
home, the school and the community
for child guidance"
Leadership Is Urged.
1t urged State and national leader
ship through governmental and VOL
untary organizations "in fostering de-
velopment of co-ordinating agencies,
the provision of constructive educa-
tiOnal, vocational and recreational op-
portunities for youth and the pro-
vision of competent, skilled service to
children in need of guidance and cor
rection."
With respect to "the abuse of parole
and pardon power, tending to under
mine respect for law and order," the
conference recommended that:
!. Minimum and maximum Of in
determinate sentences should be COM
patible with adequate punishment, re-
habilitation and public welfare and
protection.
2. Paroles should be granted only
by full-time, salaried board of duly
qualified persons.
8. Full information should be avail
able and sought for the use of the
board as to the prisoners records,
habits, environment, family and pros
poets.
4. Names Of all persons indorsing
a prisoner for parole should be made
public on request of the press or any
responsible person or organization.
5. No parole should be granted ex-
cept where adequate employment and
rigid supervision are provided.
6. Adequate appropriations must be
provided for obtaining requisite data
and furnishing necessary supervision.
z. One parole officer should not be
expected to supervise more than a
number to whom he can give adequate
attention.
8. No political or other improper
influence shall be tolerated.
9. Machinery should be provided for
the prompt revocation of any parole
when continuance at liberty is not in
the public interest.
Six Suggestions Made.
The conference suggested that there
be inserted in the code Of criminal
procedure provisions for:
l. Giving the accused the privi-
lege of electing whether he shall
be tried by jury or by the court
alone.
2. Permitting the empaneling of
alternate or extra jurors to serve in
the case Of the disability or disquali-
hcation OF any juror during the trial.
3. Permitting trial upon informa-
ton as well as indictment, and,
where indictment by grand jury re-
mains a constitutional requirement,
allowing waiver of indictment.
4. Providing for jury verdicts in
criminal cases by less than a unani-
nous vote except in the case of certain
major felonies
5. Adopting a principle that a
criminal defendant offering a claim
of alibi or insanity in his defense
shall be required to give advance no.
tice to the prosecution of this fact
and of the circumstances to be Of
fered, and that in the absence of
such notice, plea of insanity or a
defense based on an alibi shall not
be permitted upon trial except in ex-
traordinary cases In discretion of the
judge.
6. Adopting a rule permitting court
and counsel to comment to the jury
on failure of the defendant in a GRIM
inal case to testify in his own behalf.
The conference said it "deplores
the practice of unduly dramatizing