Evening star., 1924-06-06
PROSECUTE DRINKERS.
HOUSE REPORT URGES
Subcommittee Probing Greene
Shooting Would Tighten Liquor
Gun-Toting Laws.
FAV0Rs CURB ON ENJOYS
Declares Additional Judge Is
Needed in Capital.

Eleven recommendations are made
in a report filed today by the sub
committee of the House District com
mittee, which has been inves igating
law and order in the Capital, espe-
cially regarding gun-toting and boot
Logging, as result of the shooting
OF Senator Frank L. Greene of Yer
mont, February Is, while walking on
Pennsylvania avenue within a couple
Of blocks OF the Capitol. The report
says that it was indicated that the
bullet which struck Senator Greene
was fired by police officers who we're
attempting to place under arrest
persons caught transporting a still
The recommendations of the sub
committee, which has conducted ex-
tensiye hearings, are as follows:
Ftrst-That 4 statute be enacted
making II felony TO operate within
the District any automobile equipped
with a smokescreen or other device
which will emit smoke or noxious
gases INTENDED 10 prevent pursuit
Felony for Liquor Sales Armed.
Second-That a statute be enacted
which will make it a felony for any
person illegally to transport, manu-
facture or sell intoxicating liquor
while armed with a firearm or other
deadly weapon.
Third-That in the event the At
torney General holds that the Shep-
pard act has been repealed Ieeis-
lation be enacted empowering the po-
lice officers of the District of Colum-
Dla TO execute search warrants in
liquor cases.
Fourth-That the provisions in the
national prohibition act for first Of
tenders in cases involving CONNER
cial transportations in LIQUOR be
amended to provide both a mandatory
Jail sentence and minimum fine.
F1fth: That the United States dis
trlct attorney shall make to the Attor-
ney General of the United States at the
end of each fiscal year a detailed report
showing the disposition of all cases
handled by his Office, either in the Police
Court of the District of Columbia or be-
fore the Supreme Court of the District
OF Columbia
Severer Penalties Urged.
Sixth: That the Department of Justice
call the attention of the United States
district attorney and the judges of the
District of Columbia to the need of more
severe penalties; to section 81 of the
penal code, making applicable the penal
ties of the law against conspiracy to
violations Of the prohibition statute:
that the acceptance OF small bonds and
the forfeiture of collateral should be dis
continued; that bonds be allowed only
for the appearance of the defendant in
court and not as a substitute for penal
ties; that bench warrant or a capias
be issued in all cases in which the bond
r1ltafnrll fnrfaifn6 MI hot ~, Ill
cases where practical the purchaser of
illicit liquor be prosecuted as well as
the seller.
Seventh: That greater diligence be
exercised by the police. the District
Attorney and the courts to ascertain
from defendants arrested for intoxi-
cation the source from which the in
toxicating liquor
Eighth: That a closer scrutiny be
given to the records of persons en-
gagged in violations of the prohibition
law to determine whether they have
been previously convicted under this
statute, and that the heavier penalties
provided in the law for a second Of
tense be imposed where justifiable
The committee recommends that
adequate appropriation be made for
the Metropolitan police force to be
used in securing evidence against
liquor law ytolators.
WanSi xstahIixhments Watched.
Ninth: Regulations governing near
beer saloons, pool rooms, restaurants
and dance halls in the District of
Columbia should be promulgated by
the competent authorities. If exist
ing law is inadequate the necessary
legislation should be enacted to give
erect to the recommendation on
this subject contained in the COM
mun1cations from the chief of police
and the Commissioners of the District
of Columbia.
Tenth: That the Secretary of State
and the Secretary of the Treasury
give attention to the indefinite char
acter of regulations now existing
governing the transportation, storage
and use of Intoxicating liquor by dip
lomats accredited to foreign coun-
tries. living in Washington.
Eleventh: That an additional Judge
to appointed for the District of Co
lumbia-
This report, which reviews the en-
tire investigation both of violations
of the prohibition law and regarding
the carrying of dangerous weapons,
is concurred in by the five members
of the subcommittee, consisting of
Representatives Rathbone, Illinois;
Gibson, Vermont; Beers, Pennsyl-
vania; Blanton, Texas, and Gasque,
South Carolina, with the single ex-
ception that Representative Gibson
desires to extend the report regard
ing the facts in connection with the
shooting of Senator Greene.
Opp0SE ,PEEnPM crunOI G