Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-05-15
MARCH Of CRIME
CONT|NUES|NDC.::
LAW KEEPS PACE
Criminal Justice Report
Says Major 0ffenses Rose
11.6 Per Cent.
JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
Is UP BY so PER CENT
Criminal Justice Association
Believes willie Pye" Arrests
Will Be Eliminated.

BACKGROUND
The Washington Criminal Jus
tice Association ,Das organized in
June. 1896. by q group of public
spirited citizens as "tact- finding,
tdct-analyzing and tact-dissinlildt-
ing body" Extensive records are
kept on day-to-ddy crimes in
Washington and their disposition.
The march OF crime continued at a
faster pace in the District Of CO.
lumbia last year, but forces Of law
and order at the same time inten-
sif1ed their drive on the underworld
with telling effect, according to the
Washington Criminal Justice Assoc
citation.
In its second annual report, made
public last night. the association de-
clared that although major crimes in
Washington increased 11.6 per cent in
1887 over 1885, law enforcement eff
cheney increased along several fronts
especially in the police sector.
Among findings, based on compre-
hensive studies made during the year,
were:
That police solved q higher per-
centage OF crimes last year than in
1896.
That 81 per cent more arrests were
made.
That so-called Willie Pye," or tech
nical arrests, severely criticized in the
associations first report, will soon be
eliminated.
Serious crimes chargeable to juve-
niles increased so per cent last year,
indicating "a need for further inves-
tigation Of the juvenile problem
Police Court convictions averaged
SO per cent Of all arrests-about the
same level as 1936-but discharges
dropped 80 per cent.
40 Per Cent More Indictments.
The grand jury handed down 20
per cent more indictments, due par
tally to = new policy of indicting de-
PENDANTS on all charges brought by
police, instead Of two selected felonies.
There was an increase in number
of cases in which persons were found
guilty OF criminal charges in District
Court.
There was no appreciate reduction
in the length of time required for
trial of cases in District Court-the
average period from indictment to
close Of trial being seven to eight
weeks.
The multiple indictment policy. in
n ipcfa no 10
sentences in fragrant felony cases.
Use Of probation increased 8 per
cent. although the probation system
is handicapped by an inadequate
stan-a situation indicating the need
for careful study of the entire proba-
ton system"
Extensive reforms in the bail-bond
system are being effected TO remedy
abuses set forth by the association in
q special report to court officials.
illustrated With Charts.
The association Is headed by Eugene
Meyer as president. with DR.. James
A. Nolan as managing director.
The report, Illustrated with numer-
Gus charts. deals with Is Of the more
serious crimes-arson. aggravated as
sault. carnal knowledge. embezzle-
ment, false pretense. forgery, grand
larceny, HOUSEKEEPING, incest, may
hem. murder, perjury. rape, receiving
stolen goods and robbery.
HOUSEKEEPING and robbery &C.
counted for most of the increase in
major crimes here last year, the study
showed. Washington was not alone
among cities with respect to crime
increases. it was pointed out.
washington is city not only
unique in government" the report
said. but unique in its population
as well. Its transient population is
very large, its temporary residual pop
ulation greater, perhaps. than any city
its size; its traffic problems, due to
its high rate Of vehicle registrations,
unusual. and great portion OF its
citlzenry come from States and cities
where different customs and modes
are to be found. Thus. many of its
police problems arise from a conflict
OF cultural values, which gives WASH
ington many social problems not en-
countered by other large cities"
Higher Percentage Solved.
There were 1907 felonies last year
OF the type included in the associa-
tion's survey, as compared with 6,818
in 1896.
Despite the fact that more major
crimes were committed than in the
previous year" the report stated, "the
police solved by actual arrest a higher
percentage Of crimes than In 1896.
Actual arrests were made in 2,80l of
the 1907 offenses reported, or in 37.3
per cent Of all the crime reported. In
1885 actual arrests were made in 31.2
per cent Of all crimes reported.
This represents an increase in DO
lice activity Of 81 per cent. It Is well
to note that no new police have been
added to the department. despite the
rising population of the District, and
that the increased activity was due to
greater efficiency within the depart
ment itself. as well as the WILLINGNESS
Of police to work extra time to cope
with the crime situation"
A subrepOrt by the associations
Police Committee, of which John A.
Remon is chairman. showed that the
criticized Willie Pye" arrests, by
which some persons are charged with
crimes that are never reported to the
grand jury-and the crimes thereby
are listed as solyed-were reduced ma
terially by cooperation of Police Supt.
Ernest w. Brown. These technical
arrests dropped from rs per cent Of all
(see CRIME. Page A-2o)