Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-26
POLICE REGULATION
BILL TO GIVE AUTHORITY TO
THE COMMISSIONERS.
Preparing for the g. A. r. Crowds
Measures Favorably Considered by
the House District Committee.

| Probably the last meeting of the House
committee on the District Of Columbia at
the present session of Congress took place
today and action was taken on number
of local bills. House joint resolution No.
1913, authorizing the District Commissioners
to promulgate special police regulations
during the Grand Army Of the Republic
encampment, and making an appropriation
Of 81 600 to carry them out, was fayorably
reported. Chairman Babcock explained
that the resolution was similar to one
passed at the time Of the previous encamp-
ment in 1892, with the exception that $4,000
was appropriated at that time. The origi-
nal resolution appropriated $4,000, but
81 600 was added at the suggestion Of the
Commissioners.
A favorable report was authorized on
Senate bill 6196 as a substitute for House
bill 1892, to regulate the sale Of viruses, SEE
runs, toxins and analogous products in the
District of Columbia. 1t was stated tnat
the Senate had made certain slight amend
ments in the bill which had passed that
body, and Mr.. Babcock said that these
amendments seemed necessary, and If the
committee reported on the Senate bill 1t
might be possible to get action on 1t by the
House when the bill came over from the
Senate.
The necessity of having an inspection Of
such products as provided for in the bill,
Mr.. Babcock said, seemed great. The Senate
bill was then agreed to without further dis
cussion.
Dr. D. Percy Hicking, representing the
medical committee of the Board of Trade,
was heard by the committee on Senate bill
2699, which provides for the temporary de-
tention of persons dangerously insane in the
District of Columbia DIR. Hckling stated
that the measure was drawn by DIR. Wood
ward, and was designed to meet the defect
In existing law, as there was no law pro-
viding for the temporary detention of IN
w.
many mistakes had been made and much
hardship imposed. The only way an insane
person could now be apprehended was to
arrest him and charge him with crime. He
could then be committed to an asylum.
Under the proposed bill, he said, a person
could be apprehended on the certificate of
two reputable physicians, taken before
judge and then be taken, not to an insane
asylum. but to hospital He said that I'M
der proper treatment all cases of melan-
cholia could be cured, and 80 per cent OF
the cases of mania. The proposed law
would obvate the disgrace to the person
of having been confined in an insane asy-
lum. should they be allowed to be treated
in hospital.
Mr. Pearre raised the point that by the
terms of the bill person could be appre-
hended for thirty days without trial. and
then that time could be extended again and
again.
He said he was in favor of the purpose
DR.. Hicklng wished to accomplish, but did
plish that purpose. On his motion the bill
was referred to the judiciary subcommittee
for amendment providing for trial by jury.
The question of jurisdiction was dis
cussed by the committee, in view of certain
amendments which the Senate had placed
on the District of Columbia appropriation
bill AS the result of this discussion, in
which all participated and in which all
agreed, the chairman was instructed to
inform Chairman Cannon Of the appropria-
tions committee that the committee pro-
tested against purely legislative amend
ments being placed on the appropriation
bill.
The reasons were that If this course was
pursued ill-considered legislation would be
enacted and the District committee would
be held responsible and would have no way
of controlling the matter. 1t was the gen.
eral opinion expressed that unless a halt
should be called in this matter the District
committee might better go out, of business.
A bill for the Incorporation Of the Ma
tional Florence Crittenton Mission was also
ordered favorably reported after which
the committee adjourned to the call Of the
chair.
Mr.. Chaplin Brown and Mr.. Barry Bulk
ley were present at the meeting in favor
of the encampment resolution and Dr.
Woodward was present on the bill regulat
ing the sale of toxins, etc.