Evening star., 1936-01-17
MOVE LAUNCHED
TO SPEED JUSTICE
Crime Commission Author
lied With Committee
of so Here.

70 mobilize public opinion for &C
tion for swifter and more effective
administration of justice, dlstln-
g,nshed gathering Of Washingtonians
at the Mayfiower Hotel last night au-
ttorized organization Of a Criminal
Justice Commission for the District.
Stirred by three eminent speakers
and a message from President Roose-
velt. the group, by almost unanimous
vote. empowered a committee OF oo
leading citizens to proceed with the
formation of an impartial, fact-nno-
ing, research body"
Financing of tie commission, esu-
mated by experts to require from
sac. 900 to S25 900 a year, was left Tor
future consideration. Enthusiastic
supporters offered to pledge contrlou-
tions on the spot, and one prominent
business leader predicted later that at
least $4,000 could have been raiseo
Immediately.
Eugene Meyer. chairman OF the
Dinner Committee, consented to serve
as Temporary chairman" OF the Or
ranization group, although he SAID
some members of the former oooy
were understood not to be pledged to
It's support.
Work in Other Cities.
How such commissions work IN
Cleveland and Baltimore was de-
scribed by Newton D. Baker, former
Secretary of War, now chairman OF
the Cleveland Association for Grim
inal Justice, and James M. Heporon'
managing director of the Baltimore
Criminal Justice Commission. Need
for better coordination of civic
agencies administering justice was
outlined by Justin Miller. chairman
of the Attorney Generals ADVISORY
Committee on Crime.
President Roosevelt. in letter to
Chairman Meyer, said:
For years I have endeavored TO
emphasize to State and local groups
and more recently to national organl-
cations the fact that crime is symp-
tom of social disorder. Its control
can only be brought about through
expert service in marshaling the as
sets of home, school. church, comnu-
nity and other social entities to work
In common purpose with our law en-
forcement agencies.
THE purpose that you have ex-
pressed in calling tonight's meeting
is calculated to bring about a CO.
ordination Of these important and
influential factors in the life of the
District of Columbia. In this vital
work I wish you all success"
Records of Criminals.
As explained by both Baker and
Hebron. a criminal justice organ
ization keeps accurate records OF each
criminal throughout his career, makes
ANALYSES of the activities of all law
enforcement, prosecuting, judicial and
parole bodies, lays impartial md
ings before the officials themselves
and arouses public opinion to full
realization of the facts. Such pro-
cedure. it was emphasized, has re-
suited in substantial improvement IN
the administration Of justice.
The dinner guests listened attentive
" to the presentation Of the subject
and when the question was put to
vote by Chairman Meyer there twert
nn1y a few scattered noes" The mo-
tion to authorize organization OF the
commission was put by William Il
Valance of the State Department, wn1
has been prominent in the Federal Bar
Association.
The distinguished company included
ATTORNEY General Cummings, Chair
man King of the Senate District Com
mittee. Chairman Norton Of the House
District Committee, Representative
Randolph. chairman Of the SPECIAL
House crime Committee; District ottl-
cials. Judges. churchmen, lawyers
bankers, officials and leaders in the
business and professional life OF the
CITY,.
After the meeting many expressed
enthusiastic support of the proposal.
Seriousness of Problem.
Representative Randolph, speaking
briefly at the close, said his committee
had done everything possible to bring
to the people of the District the seri'
business of the problem you have just
so adequately discussed" He predicted
that the House and Senate District
Committees will assist in every way
possible in the fine results that are tc
come"
Help in setting up the commission
was preferred on behalf of both Balti-
more and Cleveland.
Chairman Meyer, in opening the dis
cussion, pointed out that the Specia
House Crime Committee recommended
establishment of "a District CRIME
Commission, incorporated by act o.
Congress, privately financed, its sup
porting membership to include business
firms of the community, civic organiza.
tions and private individuals"
The number and representative
character Of the attendance at tht
dinner. he said demonstrates tn,
deep interest of the community in thu
subject"
Baker, in explaining operation o
the Cleveland group, declared "speet
and certainty of justice are yer!
large part of the problem
The object of criminal law" h
said, sis the protection Of society" HI
emphasized that the Cleveland associ
alton had been "a very powerful ali
to all public agencies.
The Cleveland organization, Bake
said makes careful inquiry into tn
effectiveness of police processes of de
tecting crime, the efficiency of tn
police in arresting suspects, efilcienc
of prosecution, adequacy Of the legs
code, fidelity with which those charge
with the code were enforcing it, an
follows up with complete record Q
the criminal after sentence. 1t fol
lows the man to the penitentiary
ascertaining how long he stays there
how much of his sentence he serve!
how he gets out and what he doe
after he gets out. He explained
card index system on convicts an
how it works to advantage.