Evening star., 1935-05-01

commit felonious crimes have approx
imately two-to-one chance to escape
arrest. 1t also explains that the
chances are six to one that those ar
rested will not be indicted, that ten to
one there will be no conviction and
that fifteen to one there will be no Jail
sentence.
Complaint Of Law.
In section devoted to gambling,
vice and minor offenses, the re-
port explains that the authorities have
complained that present laws are in
adequate to cope with the problem.
However true this may be. the COM
mittee declared, it Is fact that the
so-called "big-shot" gamblers have to
a large extent either left Washington
or curtailed their activities since an
irate public demand caused the OIL
cials to take aggressive action.
AS a result of its investigation Of
the police, the report said its
analysis of crime conditions in the
District conclusively indicates the de-
partment is not being satisfactorily
administered. There are weaknesses
in the administration and supervision
of the department, there is lack of
morale and esprit de corps, lack of
energy and drive" and "the rank and
file Of the force has become perfume
tory and supine."
Later, in its discussion Of the i'm
provements needed in the Police De-
partment, the committee pointed out
that when Washington has organized
and built up an aggressive police force
it will be one of the most crime-free
cities in the United States, instead
Of as it is today, one of the most
crime ridden"
A portion of the section devoted to
criticism of the Police Department,
which censures Inspector Headley,
expresses the hope that such criticism
will be construed by all members Of
the force, now and in time to come"
as a condemnation of so-called gen
tlemen's agreements"
Retirement of Ranking Officers.
The report does not mention by
name either Maj. Brown or Inspector
Bean, but points out that all officers
above the rank of captain who have
reached the age so should be re-
tired. in accordance with existing law,
which gives the Commissioners discre-
tionary power to order retirements.
These men, because of advancing age,
1t said, are no longer able to provide
the character of energetic leadership
that must be had If the Police De-
partment is to be operated at its
maximum efficiency.
1T is not only fair and just to these
officers that they be retired" the re-
port declared, "but from the stand
point of good common sense and
self-protection the District of Colum-
bia should place them on the retired
list and replace them with younger
and more vigorous men,"
Suggesting the immediate removal
of Garnett and Kindleberger the COM
mittee explained that in order to
check the growth of crime in the Dis
trict it Is vitality important that all
criminal cases be fearlessly, vigorously
and speedily prosecuted" It cited the
qualifications Of an ideal presenting
officer and declared that neither Gar
nett nor Kindleberger measured up to
those standards.
To support its contention, the COM
mittee furthermore referred to the
testimony Of a number Of witnesses
who appeared before it and quoted ex-
cerpts from the testimony Of Garnett
as a means Of showing his unfamiliar
ity with the District prosecution set
up.
Jurisdiction of Office.
"There is no reason why Mr.. Gar
nett should not know the fundamental
distinction which exists between the
jurisdiction of his Office and that Of
the corporation counsel in Juvenile
Court" the report declared There
is every reason why he should be
familiar with the existing practice
and procedure on a matter which is
as vital to deserted wives and chill
dren as this matter is" This state
ment followed an extract from Gar
nett's testimony relating to non-sup-
port cases.
After criticising undue and mex
cusable delays" in the trial of Grim
-inal cases, the. report recommends
that the present rules in both the
District Supreme Court and the Police
Court be amended to require that
cases be disposed of within 80 days
after the return of the indictments.
IF continuances beyond such 30-day
period were necessary to safeguard
either the interest of the gov
ernment or the defendant" the
report declared, upon application the
court may be relied upon to exercise
its sound judicial discretion. If there
be no good reason for delay, the sound
discretion Of the court may be equally
relied upon to see that the case Is
set down for early trial"
Conditions in the Police Court and
police headquarters are described as
deplorable in the report and the
recommendation made that modern
and adequate facilities be provided.
1t also urged that the Woman's
Bureau of the Police Department be
provided ample facilities in the new
police headquarters building.
Urging repeal of the indeterminate
sentence and parole law, the COM
mittee called attention to the testi-
mony of Chief Justice Alfred A.
Wheat of District Supreme Court.
advocating this change The report
pointed out that Chief Justice Wheat
in his testimony emphatically con-
demned the existing law and urged
return to the former system, where
by parole was based on the Federal
law.
Incidentally, the committee paid
glowing tribute to Wilbur LaRoe, jr.,
chairman of the District Parole
Board, and explained that its recon-
mendation for repeal of the existing
law in no way casts a reflection on
him or his associates. On the con-
trary, the report said it is desired to
relieve the present members of the
board of an unfair burden now i'm
posed upon them.
The section of the report dealing
with Mr.. Garnett follows, in part:
/. Vigorous prosecution needed.-In
order to check the growth Of crime
in the District of Columbia, it is
vitality important that all criminal