Evening star., 1951-05-01

The functions of the Federal
Crime Commission should be-
l. The continuing study and
surveillance of operations of in
terstate criminal organizations
throughout the country.
2. Reports on such criminal ac-
tivities at periodic intervals to the
interstate and foreign commerce
committee of the United States
Senate.
3. To make recommendations
for hearings to the Interstate and
Foreign Commerce Committee of
the United States Senate or any
other appropriate committee in
cases in which the Interstate and
Foreign Commerce Committee may
not be appropriate. for more in
tensive investigation requiring the
testimony of witnesses under oath.
4. The maintenance of liaison
between Federal investigative and
law-enforcement agencies and
crime, commissions at the State
and local levels. with the dissem-
ination to the latter of informa-
tion respecting criminal operations
as may be required in the public
interest.
S. Suggestion and encourage
ment of legislation designed to ex-
pedite, facilitate and encourage
better and more intensive law en-
forcement at all levels of Govern
ment.
6. The initiation and develop
ment of appropriate social study
relating to crime, its punishment
and law enforcement.
7. The maintenance of files and
records as national clearing
house OF information respecting
criminal activities in interstate
commerce to be made available, to
properly authorized individuals
and groups, subject to suitable se-
curity measures, but not to con-
f1ict with the interests of any
presently established Federal
State. or local law-enforcement
agency.
Wiley Fears Commission
Would Lead to Abuses.
Recommendation III Ia con-
Cured in by all members of the
committee except Senator Alex
ander Wiley, who, while appreci-
ating some of the advantages
which might be achieved under a
Federal crime commission, believes
that the possible abuses of such
"a new agency require his opposi-
ton to the proposal.
Senator Wiley believes that VOL
untary cooperation among Fed
eral investigation agencies can
achieve most of the objectives
which the committee majority be-
lieves can only be obtained by a
Federal crime commission.
Nv. The establishment of the
special fraud squad by the Bureau
of Internal Revenue of the Treas
ury Department is one of the most
effective and useful steps taken to
collect taxes from the criminal
element. The committee applauds
the department for this act and
recommends that it be supported
with necessary appropriation and
that it work in close cooperation
with the special racket squad if
set up by the Department of
Justice as is recommended by the
committee. The Bureau of I'm
ternal Revenue should maintain
on a current and continuing basis
ia list of known gangsters, racket
Ieers, gamblers, and criminals
whose income tax returns should
receive special attention by a
squad of trained experts. Pro-
Icedures leading to prosecution
should be streamlined and speeded
up.
We recommend that the Bureau
Iof Internal Revenue should set up
and maintain a list of known
gamblers, gangsters, racketeers,
and other criminals whose income
tax returns must be given special
attention. A similar list is already
in existence and was submitted to
this committee by the Depart
ment of Justice. This list
should be supplemented by names
furnished by all Federal law
enforcement agencies, by the
racket squads Of the Justice and
Treasury Departments, and by
names solicited from the leading
State and local law enforcement
agencies throughout the coun-
try.
1t is obvious to any one familiar
with income-tax prosecutions that
the procedures presently employed