Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-03-05
Crimes CHALLENGE to Government

The revelations in the second interim report
of the Kefauver Committee concerning the
wealth, ruthlessness and political power Of Ma
tion-wide crime syndcates in this country are
shocking as they stand Even more disturbing
is the fact that, although the committees staff
has done little more than scratch the surface
of the problem, the inquiry is scheduled to end
within month. There is merit, therefore, in
the committees suggestion that Congress order
a continuing study" Of the evil influences that
SO brazenly are trying to corrupt Government
and effect breakdown of law enforcement.
The committees latest report tells Of the
rise of gangsterism behind facade Of respecta
bility that is no less challenge to good govern
ment than the bootlegging bank robbing and
kidnapping violence Of the twenties and thirties.
Todays racketeers are thriving on the gambling
instincts of many citizens They have built up
q gigantic illegal business which crosses the
astounding total of $40 billion year, according
to committee estimates based on its findings to
date. Obviously such huge illicit take" could
not have been achieved without knowledge Of
local law enforcement authorities.
That the Capone gang is not dead is clear
from the testimony taken by the group from
henchmen of the late AL Capone The committee
is convinced that the Chicago mob is one of two
major crime syndicates controlling vast variety
of illegal enterprises from one end of the country
to the other. The second mob, operating out
of New York, was described the Costello
Adonis axis" The committee believes that the
deported Lucky" Luciano is sort of overall
car of American crime.
If the committees estimate of the size of
the Nations gambling Industry" is approx
mately correct there is justification for the
groups charge that the crime syndicates have
been getting away with murder" at the expense
of Federal tax collectors. The Internal Revenue
Bureau was severely criticized for accepting with
out question the income returns of known
racketeerS. The Government undoubtedly is be-
ing cheated out of tremendous payments legally
due 1t under the income tax laws. But, as
Assistant Commissioner of Internal Revenue
Bolich told the committee, uncovering these
frauds is frequently long, difficult and time
consuming process" Yet it should be worth all
the trouble to bring into the Treasury the huge
sums" which apparently are being hidden from
the collectors. The committee plans to recon-
mend new rules and procedures in the bureau
to detect and punish tax frauds by gangsters.
Recommended also will be Federal laws to
control or ban the transmission Of bets and
betting information. Strengthening Of Federal
law enforcement in fields helpful to the suppress
sion of local crime will be proposed Priority
should be given the recommendation for con-
tinuation of the exposures begun by Senator
Kefauver and his group, either by extending
the life of that committee beyond March 81 or
by creating a new group to carry on the good
work. Like termtes, underworld characters
cannot stand the light of exposure. The Senate
Crime Investigating Committee already has done
great damage to the forces of outlawry, and its
work should be kept going in some way