Evening star., 1939-04-18
Parole Conference
Studies Proposals
For Future Action
Final Session Today;
Bungling Of Methods
Seen by Roosevelt
(Tert OF Presidents Speech,
Page A-7.)

With an admonition from Presi-
dent Roosevelt to make known the
methods by which the Federal Gov
ernment could cooperate best with
the States in strengthening admins
tration of their parole laws, more
than 900 delegates to the First Ma
tional Parole Conference went into
final session today, prepared to re-
view the recommendations devel-
oped from their discussions and to
chart future action.
William j. Quinn, president of the
International Association of Chiefs
Of Police, told the conference that
one of the weaknesses of the present
system lies in the fact that criminals
for whom there is no hope of re-
habilitation are able to get paroles.
"Regrettably, it is this type of
criminal who is clever enough and
has will power enough to so conduct
himself in prison that his record
will be in his favor to win early
parole" it was explained by Mr..
Quinn, who is the San Francisco
chief of police.
This is one of the flaws of our
parole system as it is administered
today-that parole boards either
through lack of proper data on ap-
plicants or indifference or favoritism
or misdirected sympathy or politics
will turn loose on society criminals
who should stay behind the bars"
Boys Clubs Praised.
Chief Quinn emphasized the value
OF police work among youths as a
crime deterrent and cited the Metro
politan Police Boys Clubs here as
the type of organization that is par
ticularly helpful in this effort.
President Roosevelt spoke last eve
ming as the gathering of Federal,
State and local officers and laymen
interested in this phase of criminal
law enforcement shifted their meeting
from the departmental auditorium
to the east room of the White House
The weather had forced a change In
plans which had called for the ad-
dress to be delivered from the south
portico of the Executive Mansion.
Joseph j. Canavan, chairman of
the New York State Parole Board,
told the conference this morning a
public willingness to give jobs to
former convicts Is essential If parole
is to be effective in reducing crime.
There are only two places for the
former criminal In the community,
he said, working peacefully beside
the average citizen or in the dark
recesses of our civilization where he
can plot against those indi1erently
walking past him."
Releases Held Bungled.
The country has "bungled" the
manner and method of releasing
prisoners, President Roosevelt said,
adding:
THE true purpose of parole is to
protect society-all of us-by super
vising and assisting released prison.
ers until they have a chance to get
on their feet and show that they
intend to live law-abiding, self
supporting lives.
Parole will never succeed if it
is merely Government function
and does not have the understand
ing and help of the individual citi-
zens in every community"
The President reviewed 81 Federal
antl-crlme measures enacted the
last six years and said they had
given the Government powers that
broke the back of the kidnapping
racket" convicted 245 persons under
the national bank robbery law and
otherwise checked lawbreaking.
Robert M. Hutchins,' president of
the University of Chicago, yesterday
afternoon warned of the danger in
talking about science and scientific
methods in connection with social
problems.
Constant Use Of Records Urged.
He urged constant use of records
rather than relying on our memo
ries or our lunches" in handling
parole problems.
Leverett Saltonstall. Governor OF
Massachusetts, was unable to at
tend the conference. In his ad-
dress, which was read by 1t. Gov.
Horace A. Cahill, he said "the ex-
treme youth of our first crop OF
criminals is amazing, and it comes
in great part in their difficulty
in obtaining jobs. The
principal way in which the Govern
ment can help is to make 1t easier
for them to obtain work. We must
do our best to restore commerce so
that there will be more jobs"
Tonight the delegates will be
guests of Attorney General Murphy
at reception in the Pan-American
Building.