Evening star., 1938-03-16
TRADE BOARD ASKS
FOR WAR ON CRIME
AND NUMBERSB BILL
Recommends VagranCy Law
to Clear District of
UndesirableS.
CITES FACT FELONfES
INCREASE IN CAPITAL
Proctor Urges President Name
Committee of Three to Study
Situation.

Urging that public opinion be
aroused and crystallized against the
"insidious numbers game" the Board
Of Trade last night called upon Con-
gress to pass the pending numbers bill,
designed to clothe enforcement officers
with greater power to cope with this
form of gambling.
The trade organization emphatically
stated its position on the pending
legislation at its regular monthly
meeting at the Mayflower Hotel by
unanimously approving a report sub
mitted by Odell S. Smith, chairman
Of the Public Order Committee of the
board
In addition to demanding enactment
of the numbers bill. or some other
workable bill in its place, the report
recommended vagrancy law which
will make Washington most unde-
sirable place for the vicious and
criminally inclined"
Crime Conditions Discussed.
Adoption of Mr.. Smiths report pre-
ceded symposium on crime conditions
In Washington, during which the board
members heard talks by the Rev. j.
Herbert Garner, pastor of the Sixth
Presbyterian Church. Associate Justice
James M. Proctor of District Court,
and Representative Summers, Demo-
crat. of Texas, chairman of the House
judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Smith informed the board men,
bers that the Executive Committee of
the organization recently adopted a
resolution asking that, in view Of
recently reported law violations in
volving dangerous criminals at liberty
on apparently inadequate bonds. ex-
traordinary efforts should be put forth
by prosecuting officials, magistrates
and judges to:
l. Require bonds amply sufficient in
the light of the character of the GRIM
inal and of the crime with which he
Is charged, and where appropriate to
require such increased bonds as appear
proper.
2. Speed final disposition of cases of
criminals with serious records or
charged with major crimes, particu-
larly when the defendants are at
liberty on bond.
Merit System of Leniency.
3. Guard against the leniencieS of
probation or suspended sentences in
all cases except those clearly meriting
them.
4. Assure that, in cases where pro-
baton violators or persons under a
suspended sentence are arrested for
separate offenses, such persons will
be charged with the separate offense
and prosecuted therefor.
FelonieS Increased
Felonies of every kind listed in
police reports, with the exception of
manslaughter. were greater in 1897
than in 1896. Mr.. Smith told the board.
Misdemeanors, arrests and prosecu-
tions also we're greater last year than
IN the previous year, he said.
I'VE know, too, either by personal
knowledge, hearsay. supposition or the
newspapers that the numbers game is
more than prevalent" said Mr.. Smith.
1T is almost fashionable"
Justice Proctor urged that a COM
mittee be appointed by the President
to work out solution to Washing
tons crime problems. He recalled that
President Theodore Roosevelt selected
a committee of three to study the need
for improvement in the Districts penal
institutions. and that the committees
recommendations subsequently result
ed in the establishment of Occoquan
Workhouse and Lorton Reformatory.
Held Breeder of Crime.
While Lorton once was model pris-
On of its kind, however, today it is a
crowded cesspool of hardened crimi-
nails Justice Proctor declared. So
ciety could not have designed a better
breeding place for criminals, he said.
I'VE need less talk and more
thought" he said in conclusion. I'VE
need less hysteria and more reflection,
less vituperation and more careful,
conSiderate statement"
The Rev. Mr.. Garner called on pros
ecuting and enforcement officials and
the judiciary to apply the principles
OF Christianity to specific cases of
crime. He urged annual compulsory
psychiatric examination of all children
OF public school age.
The crime problem can best be met
by severe penalties for serious VIOLA
tions, Mr.. Summers said. Show the
criminal that the law means business
and crime will decrease, he said.
An explanation of the work of the
United States Court of Appeals was
given by Justice Justin Miller, who
explained he was making his first pub
lie address since his appointment to
the appellate bench.
Another feature of the meeting, at
which President Edward F.. Colladay
presided, was report by Joseph c.
McGarraghy, vice chairman of the
Law and Legislation Committee. The
meeting was celebrated as Judiciary
night and guests of honor. in addi-
ton to the speakers, included other
justices of District Court, the judges
OF the Police Court and many promi-
nent attorneys.