Evening star., 1951-05-01

the group Of notorious killers. The
report said Mr.. ODwyer's Office
managed to indict number of
young gangsters for stealing cars
used in gangland murders, of
which about 20 were committed
in one year.
I But it took the Ambassador
severely to task for not pressing
the case against Albert Anastasia.
who was, according to the ODwyer
testimony. the man who directed
all the killings done by the
Brooklyn mob. Mr.. ODwyer, in
the New York hearings and previ-
ously. testified that his case COL
lapsed with the death of one Abe
Relies. a gangster who was to turn
States evidence. Relies died under
mysterious circumstances while
supposedly under guard of six
policemen.
/ Pattern of Conduct Cited.
But in the 20 months Relies
was held under guard 4. :" the
report said. "ODwyer admitted he
had not prosecuted Anastasia nor
had he even sought an indictment
against him"
In addition. the committee
pointed out, Mr.. O'Dwyer testified
in behalf of the policemen assigned
Ito guard Relies when they were
brought before a departmental
trial.
In discussion of the pattern of
Mr.. ODwyer's conduct, the COM
mittee said tendency to blame
others for the ineffectualness of
official efforts. to curb rackets
and corruption has turned UP
very often at every state of
iIODwyer's career"
The committee said this was ap-
parent in MIR. ODwyer's explana-
tions of why he took no strong ac-
tion to curb waterfront rackets, to
press the prosecution of Anastasia
and his refusal to make Relies
available to testify in a California
I, court against Buggy Siegel, later
the victim of a gangland killing.
Income Tax Corruption Cited.
The report set out that evidence
, of corruption and connivance on
the part of public officials with or
ganized crime takes four forms:
l. Direct bribe or protection
payments to law enforcement Of
f1cials SO they will not interfere
.. with specific criminal activities.
2. Political influence and pres
sure of important officials or poll
> tical leaders to protect or further
criminal activities.
+, 3. Law enforcement officials
\ found to have unusual and unex-
planned wealth.
4. Participation by law enforce
! ment officials directly in the busi-
ness of organized crime.
The committee said evidence of
corruption of Federal officials was
: primarily in connection with the
enforcement of income tax laws. It
added that this was not an in.
dictment of the Bureau of In
ternal Revenue as whole but
a very few officials most of whom
$ have been discharged and some
j OF whom have been indicted.
Responsibility of Voting Public.
AT the local level. the commit
e tee said, evidence of official cor
ruption was obtained in every city
|, where hearings were held. The
IS Tampa hearings, for example, in
f dicated, the committee said, that
: Sheriff (Hugh) Culbreath of Hills.
: borough County was the center Of
# a criminal conspiracy to violate
e the gambling laws" In New
e York, it added, one bookmakel
alone paid more than 81 million
+" a year for police protection.
e In jackson County (Kansa.
City, Mo-. the committee said
some deputy sheriffs were on tn,
il payrolls of slot-machine operator.
i and taverns that violated the liq.
uor laws" Los Angeles, Chicago
Is Philadelphia, New Orleans ane
IS Miami were among the cities sin.
lSIgled out for particular mention O.
'o where corruption was found.
: The committee concluded tha
le active participation of an in
TT formed public" is necessary to cor
le rect conditions which it said ex
Z listed throughout the country.
W "It is the responsibility of tn
voting public" the reoprt said, ct,
m insure that their Representative
is governments at all levels are mad
= up of men who are not open t,
5" corruption or persuasion by Grim
/, q lc nvHI