The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-16

INDIANA'S CRIME PROBLEM

'hE klI4lng OF JOnn D4l4lABtI u4u IO1 SO4Fc
IL Indiana's crime problem. II merely 70
cused world attention on it. DO not forget
that this plug-ugly. who had robbed our banks
and shot our citizens with impunity was
finally eliminated By federal agents who had
no more serious charge against him than
Transporting a stolen automobile across
state linei
When the Constitution was adopted the
question u dealing with crime was left al
most entirely 10 the individual states. At that
time the several communities were isolated
and Philadelphia was more travel-hours from
Boston than it is today from Paris
Today fast cars and hard surfaced roads
have made most major crimes interstate in
character The operations Of the Urschel kid
nap.ng gang extended over seven states hav-
ING an area Of $4,000 miles.
To meet these new conditions the author
tiles must use new methods. A glance at the
record shows that law enforcement in the
east north central group Of states, which in
cludes Indiana. is pitfully inadequate. This
group had more robberies per 100000 Of popu-
lation than any other group Of states.
The citizens Of Indiana can change the sit
uation if they wish. They must stop mixing
the police in politics and put in a real civil
service system that viii assure members Of
the force reasonable security in Office. They
must spend money on police equipment The
Wickersham commission found that in only
two cities of over 100000 population did the
police have adequate mechanical means to
meet the criminal on equal terms.
Rural policing must come out Of the hands
of the political-minded sherifs and be turnee
over to a hard-hitting wen-traned. profess
sional state police. A young man should be
able To look forward to life career in the
Indiana troopers just as he can now in the
army or navy.
But TO accomplish this the legislature
MUST take the state police clear out Of poll
tics We can not expect a stable and efficient
police organization if the personnel is ousted
with every change of political administration.
The incompetence of the states to deal
with the modern criminal was admitted at
the last session OF congress when the national
legislators found it necessary to enact six laws
placing the federal government directly in
local police work. Here they are:
/ The encouragement is permitted
10 OAEE 4 reward up 10 .UUu lOI the cap
tured OF a declared public enemy and 1t
now Is a federal Ofense to kill or assault
a federal officer or rob federal bank.
.. The "Lindbergh" kidnapping act has
been amended to allow jury to authorize
a death sentence when a kidnapped victim
Is injured and to create a presumption
that the kidnapers have crossed a state
line when the victim is not returned within
seven days. The Law prohibiting use of
the mails for extortiOn has been enlarged
10 include all forms Of interstate COM
munication and raCketeering in interstate
commerce was made a federal offense
g. II is now federal crime TO cross
state line with intent to avoid prosecution
or to dodge given testimony in a criminal
case Transportation Of any stolen mer-
chandise. securities or money 70 the value
Of 5000 or more Is now a federal offense
If the thieves cross a state line.
4 Federal court procedure in criminal
cases has been simplified and employees
OF federal penal institutions who assist in
Jail breaks are subject 70 severe penalties.
g. Importation. manufacture or sale OF
machine guns and other firearms popular
with CangSters with the exception OF PTS
tolls. are now under rigid federal regula-
ton.
c. Congress has granted its consent to
any two or more states TO enter into treat
les. and agreements among themselves for
mutual assistance in suppreSSlng crime
This law even grants the right to any
group OF states TO organize and maintain
Joint police force.
These laws were passed because an indig-
nant citizenry was tired Of the ineficiency Of
the state and municipal governments IN deal
ing with criminals of the Dillinger type.
Indiana should take full advantage Of them,
but It's officials should make unnecessary the
passage Of further legislation Of this type by
the federal government.
States rights. particularly the police power
Of the state. are an old and sound principle
Of Americanism But a right implies an obi
cation II Indiana does not meet its obliga-
ton to protect It's people from the mad dogs
Of the underworld its citizens must. and viii.
turn 20 the federal government