Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-07-14

the wisdom OF immediately estab-
lishing the Washington Crime
Commission. The subcom-
mittee as such and its mem
bers as individuals pledge to the
people Of the District Of Columbia
their full co operation and sup
port in any effort that might re-
suit from this recommendation
toward the establishment Of q
crime commission IN Washington"
Continuing, the report states fur
ther, the subcommittee appeals to
the people Of Washington to take
immediate action upon this, its
final recommendation"
The commission contemplated
by the House Subcommittee would
be composed of citizens, business
concerns and organized groups, as
u the case where similar bodies
exist In other communities. The
report recommends incorporation
by act Of Congress snd the vcsting
Of the commission with the power
and authority necessary to take
testimony and OBTAIN records. In
return for these powers the COM
mission would be required TO re-
port information at the request of
any congressional committee.
According 10 the report. the
primary purpose OF tire commission
would be to keep the people OF
Washington constantly informed
as to the true conditions of crime
and law enforcement. Because of
its intensive work in this field, the
subcommittee believes the commits
sion would be able TO render in
valuable service - Congress in
connection with matters of law
enforcement in the District.
The Commissioners Committee
recommends Establishment of
permanent advisory committee on
crime composed cf citizens. This
advisory committee would study
constantly all phases of law en-
forcement in The District both
through local and Federal agencies,
formulate suggestions for i'm
provement AMI promote co-ordi-
nation between tEese agencies. In
the opinion Of the Commissioner
Committee, the Commissioners
could well tnauyurate this move
ment by submitting 1t to an invited
group Of citizens as a real and
constructive civic work.
The local Committee on Grim
inal Justice, which was organized
last November, has been marking
time for two reasons In the first
place Its preliminary study Of the
requirements 81 the task confront
ing it has shown it will be neces-
sary to employ a full-time force
under a competent director If re-
suits comparable With what has
been done in other communities
are to be obtained. Plans for the
raising of funds for the work have
been withheld penoinR the compile
ton Of the WORK and action on the
program Of The House Subcommit-
tee. The second reason for the
committee holding back in its
work is seen 10 lie the delayed &C
ton on the Randolph report.
Civic leaders differ as to the
proposed powers proposed by the
House Subcommittee, but there is
q rather general bclief that COM
mission or committee should be a
citizen body entirely independent
of either Federal or local govern
ment influence or control. 1t
should be a fact. finding body
which would assemble the truth
and publish 1t from time to time,
no matter whose toes we're
tread on.
The Baltimore commission was
financed for q number of years by
subscriptions from organizations,
business concerns and individuals,
but at present draws its support
through the Community Chest. 1t
has been a highly successful civic
activity and has fully justified its
existence.
Just why the already existing
committee has been completely
overlooked by both Of these reports
is something which has not been
explained. 1t seems to be a very
representative group of citizens and
If there is anything wrong regard
ing either the set-up or personnel
such defect has not been suggested.