Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-05-24
CHURCHES REVIEW
REPORT ON CRIME
Tightening of Laws All Along
Line Urged for Curb
in Capital.

machinery all along the line was rec
commended by the board of directors
of the Washington Federation of
Churches Yesterday when it adopted a
report of its Committee on Civic AZ
fairs on the recent report of the
House District Crime Committee.
Characterizing the House commit
tees report ito some extent superficial
in character" the churchmen de-
clared the investigation was both
necessary and timely" and was Con-
Quoted primarily with a view to serv-
ing the public interest"
There is a tendency to concen-
trate large portion of the blame for
existing conditions on the United
States district attorney" the report
stated. Our conviction is that there
should be a tightening of the law
enforcement machinery all along the
line
The report added that the district
attorneys office has received more
than its fair share of criticism"
OF the Police Department and Maj.
Brown the federation's committee
said:
I'VE feel that the committees sug-
gestion that the major and superin-
tendent of police be selected from out
side the police organization, diSplacing
Maj Brown, is unfortunate. The pro-
motion of competent men from the
ranks. If available, is more conducive
to the maintenance of the best morale.
We have confidence in the honesty
and efficiency of the police force as
whole.
Defects to Overcome.
''It may fairly be said in criticism
of the Police Department that there
Is some evidence of lack of vigorous
administration and aggressive leader
ship, and also some evidence of con-
siderable f1uctuation in the degree of
intensity of law enforcement. We be-
lieve. however. that these defects can
be and will be overcome without radi-
cal changes in the present administra-
tiors A more aggressive administra-
ton might aid in the development
of men within the ranks for assum-
ing positions of leadership"
The report, submitted by Wilbur
La Roe. jr., chairman of the Civic At
fairs Committee and also chairman of
the District of Columbia Parole Board,
to lay particular stress on both prison
and courts facilities.
insufficient stress is laid in the re-
port on the inadequacy of facilities.
especially those at Lorton. where
hardened criminals and young of
tenders are mixed together in way
that is most undesirable" the La Roe
statement continued.
I'VE strongly support that part of
the report which urges more modern
facilities for the police headquarters,
more modern police stations, better
facilities for the Women's Bureau of
the Police Department and for the
Police Courts. More attention might
be given to a revision of our Police
Court machinery. which is not work.
ing any too we'll"
In declaring that Tightening all
along the line is necessary to meet
the crime situation, the Church Com
mittee pointed out that this includes
greater vigilance by the police, more
adequate police force, stricter grand
juries, more effective prosecution, bet
ter petit juries, adequate sentences
and great care in the granting of
paroles"
Political Interference"
No reference was made directly to
the so-called "gentlemen's agreement"
between Representative Blanton Of
Texas. Maj. Brown and Inspector AL
bert J. Headley, but the committee
asserted that political interference
with the police in the matter of pro-
motions and otherwise cannot be too
vigorously condemned"
The House report also was criticized
for failure to lay sufficient stress on
the cause of crime. large portion of
which the church group laid to pow
erty and unemployment
1T is more profitable to deal with
the fundamental cause of crime than
with its manifestations and punish
ment"
The Judiciary Subcommittee of the
House D/trict Committee was blamed
for almost deliberate delay in the
Tightening of the gambling and vice
laws"
The attitude of this subcommittee
we deem unfortunate" the La Roe
statement said, land clearly contrary
to the public interest"
After. setting out 10 specific COM
ments of the Crime Committed re-
port, the Church Committee added its
opinion on the general crime condi-
ton in the National Capital.
1T is not fair to picture Washing
ton As gang ridden city or a COM
munity where crime flourishes I'M
hindered. Nor Is it city where law
enforcement is ideal. The truth lies |
between these two extremes.
Convictions Too Few.
1.-THE Nations Capital City. with
less than half a million inhabitants
many of them Government employees,
ought not to have 9113 felonies in
one year; and if it must have that
many, it ought to obtain more than
approximately 1000 convictions.
There have been too many waves
in our enforcement curve. Periodical
drives are far less effective than con-
slant warfare against the criminals"
The report concluded with the
statement that what is needed here
lis not so much an attack on selected
individuals as a general awakening
to the seriousness of crime condi-
tions in the District, and new de-
termination on the part of officials |
and citizens to do their utmost to |
bring about an improvement. The re-
cent investigation has helped ire
mendously toward such an awaken
ing. The trouble is that there is |
always tendency to drift into care
lessness when the pressure of inquiry
Is discontinued"
Ultimate solution was placed in |
the hands of Congress, which will |
have to give the District adequate
legislation"