Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-16

ALI OF tLlcn StupLlhSl1eu vi
puts on proper law enforcement
decision might spread to the
State courts. And they urged
Congressional Qualification.
The Mallory decision barred
q confession In a rape trial be-
cause, the court ruled. the de-
PENDANT was held too long be-
tween arrest and an appear
ance before a committing
magistrate.
Responding to q Star poll Of
opinion In different parts Of the
country, the directors were
unanimous in expressing their
concern that the decision--if.
as and when applied in their
communities - would block
otherwise successful prosecu-
tons.
The statements came from
Dwight 8. Strong, president OF
the National Association Of
Citizens Crime Commissions
ana executive secretary Of the
New England Citizens Crime
Commission; Aaron M. Kohn.
managing director Of the
Metropolitan Crime Commits
sion Of New Orleans; Virgil M.
Peterson. operating director Of
the Chicago Crime Commits
sion, and Maurice w. Corcoran.
managing director Of the
Wichita Crime Commission.
Mr.. Strong said in part:
There are two and a half
million serious crimes COM
United in the United States
every year and the trend is
upward. At this rate. there are
not many Of us who can escape
being the victim of some Seri-
Gus crime during our lifetime.
Enforcement Handicapped
ut is, therefore,. Of great
concern to law abiding citizens
that another obstacle has been
placed before our law enforce
ment agencies. The recent SUI
preme Court decision results In
the adjustable discharge and
release of the guilty :.
There has been a tendency
on the part Of many courts
throughout the country to ex-
clude from evidence voluntary
confessions made by arrested
persons prior to arraignment,
The effect Of this tendency is
to place serious obstacles in
the way Of law enforcement
officials in the proper perform
ance Of their duties.
Concern for the rights Of
arrested persons is without a
balancing concern for the
rights. safety and general well
fare of society.
THE National Association of
Citizens Crime Commissions be-
lieves that the rights Of the
community can be protected
without subordinating the due
processes Of law.
Corrective Legislation Urged
THE National Association of
Citizens Crime Commissions
supports and urges the Con-
gress to pass legislation which
provides that confessions shall
not be barred as evidence ip
criminal cases solely on the
grounds Of q delay in arraign-
ment."
Mr.. Kohn, a vice president of
the national association. de-
clared:
Recent District Court inter-
pretations Of the Supreme
Courts decision in the Mallory
case are establishing judicial
precedent which threatens to
destroy the utility of skilled in
terrogation, the most potent Of
all police instruments in the de-
lection Of criminals.
Although modern police SCI
ence provides techniques and
paraphernalia usually of sup
Elementary value, none re-
places the efficacy Of intelligent,
perceptive questioning Of wit
nesses and suspects by compe-
tent law enforcement officers.
Nor is it reasonable to envision
the development Of any substi-
tute.
The years since World War
II have brought q relentless in
crease in crimes against per-
sons and property in the United
States. Our peace officers must
have more. not fewer, legal
weapons with which to combat
marauders against citizen rights
and safety.
THE law must not be callous
to the victims Of crime. while
coddling the perpetrators.
Judicial withdrawal Of the