Evening star., 1952-06-29

insure that no such inquiry in
the future would have to be ex-
tended so deeply into the affairs
of the District. A quick review,
to see that things are going as
they should, together with at
tention to any well-founded
complaints. would be enough.
CD Encouraging the aOork of
citizens groups and organisa-
ttons.-Many large cities have
had satisfactory experiences
with volunteer crime commit
tees or commissions organized
by public-spirited citizens. In
the District of Columbia, the
Washington Criminal Justice
Association has been, at times,
a wholesome irritant in urging
local officials to take action in
the face of undesirable condi-
tions. This function is of Pc
culiar Importance in the District
of Columbia because District
residents have no recourse to
the usual channels for express
ing their disfavor through the
polls. Such efforts on the part
OF private citizens should there
fore be encouraged.
90 An independent investiga-
the staff in the office of the
United States Attorney.-In the
unique structure of the District
Government, lacking any equiv
alent Of State and county COM
ponents, the Office of the United
States attorney is of singular
Importance. Official lapses which
amount to crimes, and criminal
activities which are apt to pro-
ject their influences into the
police force. are the concern
primarily Of this official. He
should therefore have an inves-
tigative staff of his own, con-
sisting Of a small number of
investigators of the highest type.
The subcommittee urges Con-
gress to give favorable consider
alton to such step and to sup
port it with adequate appropria-
tions.
"a An absolute ban on tavors
and oratuitieS to public officials
from persons aUith Dhom then
deal.-The District of Columbia
Code makes it a felony for any
person to offer or give "any
money or other thing of value"
to a District official with intent
to influence his official conduct,
and imposes a misdemeanor
penalty on any official who &C
cepts anything so given. The
subcommittee proposes that
these laws be strengthened by
creating a presumption of
wrongful intent wherever it is
shown that the giver has a di-
rect interest in the discharge
of official duties by the recipient.
There can be no compromise
in this area; policemen and
other officials cannot properly
accept any benefit from those
with whom they deal officially,
and once the rule is preached
by small gratuities there is no
stopping short of the fla
grant abuses the subcommittee
brought to light. A bill to ac-
complish this is proposed as
appendix I.
60 Forfeiture of office By any
incumbent. and OF benefits OF
office by any er-incumbent 1Uho
pleads his privileges against
sell -incrinlination.-A number
Of jurisdictions have statutes
providing that any public office
holder. or ex-of6ceholder who
refuses to testify as to the con-
duct Of his Office, on the basis
that he would incriminate him
self thereby, shall automatically
forfeit his Office and the bene-
fits thereof. This is patiently
fair and proper. No individual
in this status should be allowed
to continue in the service of the
community after he has, in
effect, def1ed its demand for an
accounting by confessing crime.
A bill based on the model act
drafted by the Council of State
Governments is proposed to ef-
feet this rule in the District of
Columbia.
60 Better control of DANGER
Gus 1DedponS.-The problem of
aggravated assaults in the Dis
trict of Columbia highlights the
need for tight controls over the
possession of dangerous weap-
onS. The appended bill is based
in part upon the laws in force
in New York, and in part on
recommended changes contained
in H. r. 4141.
CD Conterring a right of ap-
peal from orders suppressing
evidence on the Government in
criminal cases. - Many impor-
tant criminal prosecutions. par
ticularly for narcotics and gam
bling offenses, are lost before
they are brought to trial when
the court grants a motion to
suppress the evidence on which
the prosecution is relying. A
bill now pending before the Sen
ate, S. 2060. would do much to
remedy this situation by con-
ferring q right of appeal from
such orders by the Government
at any time before the defend
ant Is placed in jeopardy. The
subcommittee strongly favors
the enactment of this bill into
law.
CD Enactment of the Uniform
Ertrddition Act.-Although the
Constitution and existing Fed
eral law establishes a basic
pattern for the extradition of
persons wanted in one jurisdic-
ton within the United States
for the commission of crimes
within another, the pattern is
incomplete and procedurally
daficiornf In cor,na rocrocfr Thn