Evening star., 1936-09-10
.HEPBRON VISIONS
D. c. CRIME CUT
Chief of New Association
Says Conviction Data
to Spur Police.

Inc new washington SIlull1lnl JUG
tice Association is making factual
survey of crime In Washington for the
first six months of 1886, with . view
to making public the crime rate" OF
this city, within about month.
This was learned from James M.
Hepbron, acting director Of the asso-
citation. who yesterday launched pub
licly on his new duties. The survey
is being made by the staff out Of head
quarters of the association In the
Evans Building.
Three principal factors are being
considered:
1. How much crime Is there In
Washington?
2. What happens to these cases OF
crime known to police? How many
are solved by arrest?
3. How many of those arrested are
tried and convicted?
AS explained by Hepbron. who Is
making series Of addresses on the
need for the new association, and its
activities, the factual survey Is max
ing rapid progress.
Cites Enforcement Ratio.
He predicts that the crime rate Of
the District of Columbia will 60 down
in about the same ratio as the efii-
cheney of law enforcement goes up"
Without giving hint as to any dis
closures so far in the District of CO.
lumbia situation, Hepbron pointed the
direction in which the local associa-
tion is taking, by telling how the Balti-
more Criminal Justice Commission, Of
which he is director, works.
Speaking before the Soroptimist
Club luncheon at the Willard Hotel
Yesterday, in the first of his series of
talks, Hepbron outlined the progress
of law enforcement in Baltimore dur
| ing the life of the Crime Commission
there.
First figures gathered by the Crime
Commission years ago showed, Hep
bron said, that only in every 8 crimes
was solved in Baltimore by arrest. But
with regular publication Of reports by
the Crime Commission Of the results
accomplished in law enforcement
brought an immediate drop in the
ratio. The police solved in every S
crimes, then l in every 4, then ! In
every 3, in every 2, until the latest
figures show, he said, that now 50 per
cent of all crimes committed result
in arrests.
Accurate records were kept on
these arrests, the director explained,
as to indictments and results Of the
cases in court.
The bail bond situation was cleared
up in Baltimore, he said, after it was
found that some pieces of property
had been put up for bond as much as
40 times. Now. he explained, no piece
of property can be used for more than
one bond at time.
Abuse of the probation system was
attacked by Hepbron, who said. how
ever, he was in favor Of its proper
administration.
The time element" in dispensation
Of justice is stressed by the associa-
ton, Hepbron said, in order to pre-
vent long delays. Such delays. he
charged, offered the time necessary
for ''tampering with witnesses, tam
pering with juries," and for witnesses
to disappear from the jurisdiction of
the court. In Baltimore, he said,
justice had been speeded until now
they try. and dispose of, 90 per cent
Of all cases within three weeks OF
arrest.
Records Spur Police.
pnfo 70
ton Of findings in the administration
Of crime from the police on up to
the highest courts, Hepbron declared:
When they know everything they
do is being carefully watched, it has
tendency to keep them on their toes.
Bring the tremendous power of public
opinion to bear upon the situation"
he said. They simply cannot stand
up under a barrage of carefully-pre-
pared, honestly-intrepreted facts"
Already fine cooperation has been
afforded by the police, here. Hepbron
said, giving high praise to Maj. Ernest
Brown. superintendent of police. He
characterized Brown as an honest,
efficient of1lcial," and paid tribute to
his organization of the Metropolitan
Boys Clubs, for the prevention Of
crime.
1T is a great thing, in these clubs"
declared Hepbron. Ito see the police
making friends of the boys"
But the public should give the police
still more help, Hepbron declared.
For instance there was need here
now for new police quarters. Such
old buildings as the one in which the
police now are quartered, he said
are mot conducive to good work."
Hepbron predicted that the admin
istration of justice would be greatly
aided here in Washington by the new
activities of the Washington Criminal
Justice Association.
Justice will be swifter more certain"
Today Hepbron speaks to the Junior
Board Of Trade. Last night he ad-
dressed the Wonen,s Citv Cluh and