CRIME IN U.S.A.

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 November 1929, Page 3

CRIME IN U.S.A.

APPEAL BY PRESIDENT. NEW YORK, October 30. An idea of the extent to which disregard of law and order has reached jti the United States may be gained fiom the text of President Hoover’s Hppe<tl to the nation. He says z “The American people are deeply concerned over the alarming disobedience of law, the abuses in law enforcement and the growth of organised crime, which has spread in every field of evil doing and in every part of our country. A nation does not ftill from its growth of wealth and power. But no nation can for long survive the failure of its citizens tc respect and obey the laws which they themselves make. “Nor can it survive a decadence of moral and concepts that are the basis'of respect’ for law; nor from neglect to organise itself to defeat crime and corruption that flows from it. Nor. is this a problem confined to the enforcement and obedience of one law oi’ the laws of the Federal or State Governments separately. The attitude is'partly the attitude toward all law.

‘lt is my hope that the commission shall secure an accurate determination of fact and cause, following them with constructive, courageous conclusions which will bring public understanding and command public support of its solutions.”

The full resources of the American Bar, Association were pledged to President Hoover in “grappling with ‘the alarming disobedience of law, the abuses of law enforcement and the growth of organised crime,’” by Mr. Gurney E. Newlin, president, in ’ his address before the recent annual convention.

“The American Bar Association and members thereof are to the limit of their resources and ability ready, willing and anxious to give every aid and assistance in stemming this great tidq of crime, which has come to rank as the foremost problem of our nation,” Mr Newlin said. ’

Police methods deteriorate as ctime advances on this score. 'Mr Newlin remarked : “Scandals involving the use of third-degree methods have been reported of late years from such divergent places as New York, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, New Orleans’ East St. Louis, Pittsburg, Denver, Los Angeles and Whichita. They have become a serious blot on the administration of justice.”