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COPY ble 4801-02 TELEPHONE BLOG, SAINT LOUIS August 9, 1933 « Hon, Raymond BE, Mo Assistant Seorscary at State, Washington, Did. Deay Pref, Moleys Lea A Little more than a year age my attention wae dirested to the peculiar phraseology of tne constitutional provision concerning extradition,and it socurred to me that it micht be used aa the foune dation for national legislation te suppress the interstate criminal, At that time X was an aspirant for congressional honors in the Deme oratiea primary and intended to give some publicity to the idea, but finding the colums ef the metrepoliten press closed to me, except at the minimim cost ef 9 cents per word, the old adage that "silence is golden" appeared to me in a new ] ignt end I was forced to forege the discussion of a subject so Penerosshing in its soonomle end social consequences. The press, however, carries the news of your conference with the Presicent for the purpose of mapping out a national program, both legislative and administrative, to make war on the raclketecr kidnaper and other violent criminals who escape detection by fleeing from the scene of their crimes inte other States and remote commie tiea. The determination of the President toe emi the relen ef organized crime is indeed gratifying te laweabid citizens everywhere and af- fords enother tiimstration of his fidelity to public duty. I am, theree fore, indueed by my interest in the subject te give you the results of my investigation of the question of Federal authority under : the eztradition clase, X shall not occupy your time with a discussion of the ecee nomia losses or social menace of the crime wave, I am concerned only with the question of lecal remedy. In ow judgment that remedy does not involve the surrender of any y power by the St the States, “pat cone siate in the enlargement of Federal pewer under exiating constitue tional authority, through enfercement statutes, The pw csent crime situation was net antiogpated by the makers of the Constitution, or we should probably have had a wore ample and specifie grant of congressional pewer ta meet it, Modern invention has literally given the criminal wings. The bank-robtber, highwayman and other types of thief flee with their booty inte another State or rama tea commnity with only a alight chance af heing identified, There ie ne ne praotical cecrdination or cooperation - ef the police agencies ef the various States md cities, The task ef Gisseninating information concerning the mussrouse crimes committed and Personal descriptions of suspects is too gigantic for local officials. As a result, the chances are at least 9 tai in the oriminal's favor that he will escape, at any rate until after the physical evidences ef the orime have beon disposed ef. The break-down in law enforcement is primarily due to tack of ability and lack of factlitias tea lecete and sn neehenA the quilty t4ewe this 42 $36 4480S US Rew | («ER SY pre wesween we @& wWesawve due te the fast that we begin work ab the wrong end of the ” preve *(3_0S4-I