The Wickersham Commission

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Recommended: History of policing in the usa

It is necessary for us to have some background on the time period and the man to

chair the National Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement. Why did President

Hoover form this commission and what was it to achieve. What was happening to cause

this commission to be needed, and who is George Woodward Wickersham?

George W. Wickersham was born in Pittsburgh 1858, being a graduate of Harvard

Law School began his law practice in Philadelphia, Pa.; in 1882 moved to New York City

becoming a prominent corporate lawyer. 1909 President Taft appointed George

Wickersham to the office of U.S. Attorney General during which time he successfully

prosecuted several corporation violating the Sherman Anti-trust Act. (5)

During the period from 1920 and into the early 1930’s corruption and organized crime

along with other criminal activities flourished aided by prohibition. The days of

Prohibition saw the manufacture and the sale of illegal, bootleg liquor, corruption and

ineffective enforcement of prohibition laws. Prohibition was unpopular with the citizen

population, and many scorned it taking pride in violating its laws. It provided for large

money making opportunities through the illegal manufacturing and selling, transporting

of alcohol. Prohibition was not responsible for widespread corruption and the growth of

organized crime, gangsterism, and violence to innocent citizen victims. The fact that

organized crime manufactured and distributed the bulk of the illegal alcohol through the

1920's and early 1930's is evidence that gangsters were aided by Prohibition.

Enforcement was spotty, with stills and speakeasies popping up in every population

ce...

... middle of paper ...

... http://www.usconstitution.net/constamnotes.html

8 Volstead Act, 1920; http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/Controversies/Volstead-

Act.html

9 United States. Wickersham Commission. Records,1928-1931: Finding Aid. ...

The Wickersham Commission

by

Richard Lewis

The Wickersham Commission

by

Richard Lewis

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