CORRUPTION PROBLEM

• NCJ Number: 64699
• Journal: NATIONAL CIVIC REVIEW Volume: 60, Dated: (MARCH 1960) Pages: 130-135
• Author(s): W J BENDER
• Date Published: 1966
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: National Municipal League
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: ADDRESS BEFORE THE NATIONAL MUNICIPAL LEAGUE'S 71ST NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GOVERNMENT IN ST. LOUIS (MO), NOVEMBER 16

Annotation

THIS ARTICLE ANALYZES THE WORK OF THE MASSACHUSETTS CRIME COMMISSION IN CLEANING UP THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND IN LESSENING THE FUTURE INCIDENCE OF CORRUPTION.

Abstract

ALTHOUGH THIS ACCOUNT IS LIMITED BECAUSE OF THE AUTHOR'S COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP, AND BECAUSE OF TIME AND SECRECY FACTORS, THE PRESENT ARTICLE CAN BE SEEN AS A CASE HISTORY OF ONE PARTICULAR EXPERIMENT TO DEVELOP MORE HONEST AND EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT. THE MASSACHUSETTS CRIME COMMISSION, ESTABLISHED BY A RESOLVE OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN 1962, HAD 7 MEMBERS; A 3-YEAR APPROPRIATION TOTAL OF $638,000; AND POWER TO SUBPOENA WITNESSES, REQUIRE THE PRODUCTION OF BOOKS AND PAPERS, AND TURN OVER TO A GRAND JURY, A DISTRICT ATTORNEY, OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ANY EVIDENCE OF WRONGDOING THAT WAS CONSIDERED TO REQUIRE SUCH ACTION. A TEAM STAFF OF 35 OBTAINED EVIDENCE FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES INCLUDING CITIZEN COMPLAINTS, TALKS WITH STATE OFFICIALS, AND SWORN TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES IN SECRET HEARINGS. AMONG THE RESULTS OF THE COMMISSION'S WORK WERE PROPOSED LEGISLATION DEALING WITH CIVIL SERVICE REFORM, CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION REPORTING, STATE POLICE REORGANIZATION AND OTHER INDEPENDENT GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES, SMALL LOAN COMPANY REGULATION, REGULATION OF THE FOOD AND DRUG DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ESTABLISHMENT OF A SPECIAL INVESTIGATING DIVISION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. IN ADDITION, 80 TO 90 GRAND JURY INDICTMENTS WERE RETURNED AGAINST 40 INDIVIDUALS AND 15 COMPANIES INCLUDING SEVERAL OF THE LARGEST U.S. SMALL LOAN COMPANIES. INDIVIDUALS INCLUDED A FORMER REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR, REPUBLICAN HEAD OF THE STATE POLICE, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, AND OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION CONFIRMED THE COMMON VIEW THAT THE MODERN WELFARE STATE HAS AN ENORMOUS POTENTIAL FOR CORRUPTION; SUGGESTED THAT CORRUPT OFFICIALS WERE MOTIVATED BY A DRIVE FOR PERSONAL POWER, THE NEED FOR CAMPAIGN FUNDS, AND THE DESIRE TO OBTAIN MONEY FOR EXPENSIVE LIVING; AND DEMONSTRATED THAT CITIZENS ARE NOT ENTIRELY HELPLESS IN THE FACE OF GOVERNMENT SCANDALS. (AOP)