DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

As no revision of the laws of the United States has been made since 1878, a commission or committee should be created to undertake this work.  The Judicial Council reports that two more district judges are needed in the southern district of New York, one in the northern district of Georgia, and two more circuit judges in the Circuit Court of Appeals of the Eighth Circuit.  Legislation should be considered for this purpose.

It is desirable to expedite the hearing and disposal of cases.  A commission of Federal judges and lawyers should be created to recommend legislation by which the procedure in the Federal trial courts may be simplified and regulated by rules of court, rather than by statute; such rules to be submitted to the Congress and to be in force until annulled or modified by the Congress.  The Supreme Court needs legislation revising and simplifying the laws governing review by that court, and enlarging the classes of cases of too little public importance to be subject to review.  Such reforms would expedite the transaction of the business of the courts.  The administration of justice is likely to fail if it be long delayed.

The National Government has never given adequate attention to its prison problems.  It ought to provide employment in such forms of production as can be used by the Government, though not sold to the public in competition with private business, for all prisoners who can be placed at work, and for which they should receive a reasonable compensation, available for their dependents.

Two independent reformatories are needed; one for the segregation of women, and another for the segregation of young men serving their first sentence.

The administration of justice would be facilitated greatly by including in the Bureau of Investigation of the Department of Justice a Division of Criminal Identification, where there would be collected this information which is now indispensable in the suppression of crime.

PROHIBITION

The prohibition amendment to the Constitution requires the Congress. and the President to provide adequate laws to prevent its violation.  It is my duty to enforce such laws.  For that purpose a treaty is being negotiated with Great Britain with respect to the right of search of hovering vessels.  To prevent smuggling, the Coast Card should be greatly strengthened, and a supply of swift power boats should be provided.  The major sources of production should be rigidly regulated, and every effort should be made to suppress interstate traffic.  With this action on the part of the National Government, and the cooperation which is usually rendered by municipal and State authorities, prohibition should be made effective.  Free government has no greater menace than disrespect for authority and continual violation of law.  It is the duty of a citizen not only to observe the law but to let it be known that he is opposed to its violation.