Evening star., 1935-02-24
Chairman of Investigating
Committee Broadcast
Lurid Picture of DC.
"WORST IN WORLD" HE
TELLS DIXIE LISTENERS
West Virginian Emphasizes I'm
portance of Speedy Justice.
Probe Resumes Tomorrow.

A picture of Washington as the
most crime ridden city in the world,
where many criminals escape arrest
and where prosecution of those who
are caught is delayed, was spread
throughout the South last night by
Representative Randolph, Democrat,
of West Virginia, chairman of the
Special Crime Investigating Commit
tee of the House.
Over WJSV and the Dixie network
of the Columbia Broadcasting System,
Randolph described the activities of
his committee, and declared:
The investigation thus far indicates
there are far too many criminals
escaping arrest and punishment,
Further, there is substance for the
belief that there is a woeful lack Of
speed in the administration of criminal
justice in this jurisdiction. Nothing
will so definitely discourage crime as
the certainty of punishment through
speedy and impartial enforcement of
the law"
Cites Record for Year.
Randolph pointed out that nearly
5000 felonies were committed in the
District last year and 5000 cases
cleared by the arrest of about 5000
persons, but, he said: OF those ar
rested, there were less than 1850
indicted by the grand jury. What
happened to the other $3.50 cases is
matter that our committee proposes
to ascertain
Randolph. declared Washington's
crime rate is abnormal and, in pro-
portion to population. it has two
and half times as many murders
as New York and 40 per cent more
murders than Chicago.
THE people of Washington" he
said, must look to Congress for pro-
lection against the depredations of
anti-social elements. Congress has
charged this committee with the
responsibility of finding the weak
nesses in the law enforcement ma
chinery of the District, and recon-
mending such remedial action as may
be necessary.
Hopes for Solution.
IT can assure you that it is the
sincere desire of every member of the
committee to discharge that duty to
the fullest extent.
II am hopeful that the inquiry will
result in lasting solution to the
problem, and, further, am hopeful
that the committee will have the
courageous and determined support of
the people of the District in whose
behalf our work is being conducted
With the aid and support of the
citizens, churches, schools and organ
izations in Washington, Congress can
and will make the crime rate of the
Nations Capital the lowest of any city
in the United States"
$4,000 Arrests in Year.
During the last fiscal year, Ran
dolph said, more than 10000 persons
were arrested in Washington, or more
than 10 per cent of the entire popula-
tion, although about $4,000 of the
arrests were for violation of traffic
and municipal regulations and misde-
meanorS.
"The fact remains, however" he
added, that there were 5000 arrests
for felonies. I cite the total figure to
indicate the widespread disrespect for
authority which exists among our
people generally.
"Of course, in any jurisdiction,
only portion of those who commit
crime are arrested A much smaller
portion are tried and convicted. The
chance Of escaping punishment in
this jurisdiction is entirely too favor
able to the criminal"
Stott Will Testify.
Randolph's committee will resume
its hearings tomorrow at II am, with
Inspector William G. Stott on the
witness stand.
Chairman of the Police Trial Board,
Stott is to be questioned about the
departments disciplinary machinery
and various cases handled by the
board in the last two years. He will
be asked particularly about cases
where dismissals were recommended
by the board, but disapproved by the
Commissioners.
Inspector L. l. H. Edwards, assistant
superintendent and personnel officer,
has turned over to the committee,
record Of all Trial Board cases in the
last two years. This report will be
used in connection with the question
ing Of Inspector Stott.