Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-06
Justice Heads
Urge Pressure
On Racketeers

ny the Associated Press
Attorney General Rogers and
FBI Director j. Edgar Hoover
today asked Federal prosecu-
tors to keep continual pressure
on underworld barons. They
said this should be done in CO.
operation with local law en-
forcement agencies.
Opening the annual confer
ence Of United States attor-
neys. Mr.. Rogers said he was
gratified by the results thus
far of the long-term push
against hoodlums which he an
nounced in April. 1858.
The last ~ months, he said,
have seen successful prosecu-
tons Of a number Of we'll
known underworld characters
as a result of a pooling of in
formation by all levels of police
authority. The effort must be
sustained, the Attorney Gen.
eral added.
He singled out for public
C on g r atul a tion Prosecutor
Arthur H. Christy of New York
City and his staff, who last
week succeeded in convicting
Vito Genovese, notorious rack
cts king, on charges of heading
an international narcotics ring.
Reaped $50 Million
Fourteen associates were con-
victed with Genovese who is re-
puted to have made some $50
million during a long career in
diverse racketeering activities.
Mr.. Christy is acting United
States attorney for the South
ern New York district.
Mr.. Hoover told the United
States attorneys that crime is
currently costing decent citi-
zens" around $22 billion a year
and mus be fought vigorously.
He added:
81 want to reiterate my firm
conviction that crime and rack
Ieteering primarily are local
problems. They can be analysed
most effectively and combatted
most forcefully in the local
communities where they exist"
Mr.. Hoover said some we'll
intentioned people are always
suggesting some new national
agency to deal with organized
crime and racketeering, and as
serted:
Let these persons be re-
minded that Americas vast net
work of State and local law
enforcement agencies tradi-
tionally have been the Nations
frone-line troops in the fight
against crime. Let them also be
reminded of the dangers in
herent in granting such broad
police powers to any Federal
agency"
One of Top Subjects
The drive against organized
crime and racketeering is one
of the top subjects for the two
day meeting of "a United States
attorneys from as many districts
in the States and territories.
They also will consider adj
ministrative matters and gen.
eral problems of Federal law
enforcement in their meetings
with department officials.
In advance of the meeting,
Mr.. Rogers advised the Federal
prosecutors to avoid where pos
sible both Federal and State
prosecutions for the same Of
Tense.
In a memorandum made pub
lie last night, Mr.. Rogers noted
that the Supreme Court last
week ''reaffirmed the existence
of a power to prosecute a de-
PENDANT under both Federal
and State law for the same act
or acts"
Caution Is Urged
But he cautioned that the
power need not be exercised
just because it exists, and noted
that the court itself said in eff
feet that enforcement officers
should use care in applying it."
He said Federal attorneys
should work closely with State
officials to determine whether
State or Federal courts should
take jurisdiction. There should
be no Federal action after a |
State trial, he said, unless the
reasons are compelling" In
those cases, he said. his Office
should be consulted in advance.
Although the law generally
forbids prosecuting a person
twice for the same offense, the |
Court ruled a week !
ago that Federal and State |
trials are separate matters and |
the one is not barred by the
other.
The court divided 5-4 on the
ssue and three Of the dissent
ng justices spoke of "uncon-
;tiutional Federal action in the
case"
decisions Recalled