Evening star., 1939-04-18

, pelt'S address yesterday before
the National Parole Conference
Jollo,0s:
My friends:
am happy to welcome you to the
National Parole Conference and to
have an opportunity to talk with you
and your radio neighbors through
out the country about parole and
some of the broad questions of law
enforcement as national problem.
AS many of you know. the control
of crime is a problem which began
studying many years ago as men,
ber Of the Executive Committee of
the National Crime Commission.
Later, during my administration as
Governor of New York, the improve
ment of the State penal and correc-
tlonal system became one of my first
important responsibilities. Many of
you, and especially my old friend,
Sam LeWiSOhn, were of invaluable
assistance in that task, which in
cluded the establishment of mod
ern parole system.
All of us have come to realize that
while the responsibility for the con-
troll of crime falls primarily in the
States and their subdivisions, ac-
tivities of criminals are not limited
by local and State boundaries. The
consequences of lax law enforcement
and crime-breeding conditions in
one part of the country may be felt
In cities and villages across the
continent. For instance, think Of
the operations of criminal gang
which had its origins in the slum sec
ton of small Southwestern city.
Before the members of this gang
were rounded up, successfully prose-
cuted and put in prison by the Fed
eral Government. they had left a
trail of robbery and violence in seven
MidWestern States This illustrates
the essentially Nationwide charac-
ter of the crime problem.
Crime cannot be held in check by
good police system alone. Occa-
sional brilliant prosecutions may
arouse our admiration, but they do
. not solve the crime problem. Long
prison sentences for notorious crimi-
nails have not rid us of thousands
who escape undetected or unpun-
ished because our defenses break
down at one point or another.
Program Initiated in 1888.
Public protection against law
breakers demands efficient police
work, able and fearless prosecutions,
prompt. fair trials and the intelli-
gent and constructive treatment of
the guilty-not just here and there,
not only when well-known charc-
acters are involved but in all cases
in all jurisdictions throughout the
land.
With this in mind, this admins
tration initiated early in 1888
definite program of crime control
which had three major objectives.
First, we sought to broaden and
strengthen Federal law enforcement.
Secondly, we took steps to promote
more effective cooperation among
the States and between the States
and the Federal Government Fin
ally, through a broad program of
social welfare, we struck at the very
roots of crime
AS first step, the Attorney Cen
eral outlined 12-point legislative
program which resulted in the en-
actment of 81 new Federal crime
statutes. Two of those laws gave
the Federal Government drastic
powers in kidnapping cases, with the
result that the back of the kidnap-
ing racket has been broken. Every
home in the country has shared in
the sense of relief that has come
from the vigorous enforcement of
the anti-kidnaping laws.
Other new laws empowered the
National Government to bring its
resources into action against robbers
of banks. There have been 245 con-
victions since this national bank
robbery law was enacted.
Here are some figures on daylight
holdups of banks. compiled by the
American Bankers Association. In
1888 there were sic daylight holdups.
In 1884, the year the new law be-
came effective, the number fell to
1854. In 1885 it was down to 258; in
1896 it was down still further to 148
and in 1897 it dropped to 120. Last
year there were only ITO bank hold
ups. A good record!
New Laws Plug Gaps.
Another new law made it Fed
eral crime to transport stolen goods
in excess of $4,000 across State
lines. Still another made it unlaw-
full for any person to flee from one
State to another to avoid prosecu-
ton or appearance as a material
witness In criminal case.
These and the other new Federal
anti-crime laws do not supplant
State laws, but plug the gaps be-
tween the authority of one State
and that of its neighbors. They
permit the forces of law and order
to occupy what was formerly no.
mans land in which roamed some
OF our most desperate criminals.
But, of course, laws do not en-
force themselves. And so we set
about Systematically to enlarge and
improve the equipment and person.
mel OF the Federal agencies of de-
lection and prosecution. The agents
OF the Federal Bureau of Investi-
cation of the Justice Department
. the G-men-have justly become
world-famous. Likewise, the agents
OF the several investigating units in
the Treasury Department, the post
al inspectors and their co-workers
IN other branches of the Govern
ment have made enviable records
IN the apprehension of offenders
against Federal laws. The efforts
OF these investigators have beer
ably supported by fine corps OF
United States attorneys and specia
prosecutors. Many of these United
States attorneys are here today, ano
- am glad to welcome them as the,
assemble to canvass with Attorney
General Murphy the ways in which