The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1927-03-16
CRIMINAL CODE
REFORM SOUGHT
) IN SIX BILLS
Eleven Bills and Two Memor-
ials Introduced in Sem
ate This Morning.

Eleven bills and two joint men,
orials were poured into the legisla-
tive hopper of the Senate this morn
ing, bringing the total number of
bills so far presented in the upper
House to 2G. All Of the proposed laws
were introduced by the Judiciary
Committee by request and it is un.
derstood. were prepared by Attorney
General Rustgard.
Most of them are designed to put
into effect some of the Attorney
Generals recommendations to the
Legislature for reform in the code
of criminal procedure. One deals
with municipal contracts and two
others are largely technical in ma
ture.
Six Code Reform Bills
Bills Nos. 16 to 81, inclusive, seek
to effect various reforms in the
criminal procedure code. Joint trials
for persons jointly indicted, changes
in the methods now i'll vogue for tax
ing dispositions in criminal actions,
definition Of insanity, intoxicaton
and moral arrangement and pre-
scrbing when and how the same
may be available as a defense in
criminal prosecutions. striking of
the time-old provision that failure
of defendant to testify shall not
create any presumption of guilt
against him, making it compulsory
for Il defendant to elect and an
nounce at the time of entering
plea of an Indictment, information o.
r complaint whether he intends to rely
upon a plea OF insanity or self
defense, and admission of the evil
dence of an accOmplice, without
suspicion. even through it be uncor.
roborated, are in general the re-
forms sought to be achieved by the
first six bills introduced
Bill No. %, seeks to provide for
The recovery of public funds or pro-
perty illegally paid or diverted and
authorizes taxpayers suits.
Bill No. %, makes the driving
of a vehicle without the consent
of its owner even without intent to
steal, second degree larceny.
Bill No. "a, provides for the ap-
pcarance of the Territorial Attorney
General instead of the t. S. Attorney
is quo warranto proceedings insti-
tuted in the name of the Territory
under Chapter SO, Title 13, Compiled
Laws of Alaska
Bill No. 25, prohibits officers of
cities, school districts or other muni.
cipal governments from being in
terested in contracts with the muni
ciDality of which they are officers
Bill No. 26, would amend all the
various statutes of Alaska by sub.
stituting the word Territory" in
place Of District" wherever the lat
ter is used to designate the Territory
of Alaska
Purpose Of Memorials
The two memorials presented were
introduced by Senator Dunn. No. /.
seeks TO effect the removal of head
quarters of the Alaska Division OF
the Federal Bureau of Education
from Seattle to some convenient
place in Alaska. This step. the men,
orial declares, will promote efficiency
in the bureaus work in the Ter
ritory and bring about closer CO.
operation in educational activities
with the Territorial Department of
Education. Memorial No. 2, requests
the War Department to survey and
confine the various branches of the
mouth of the Tenana River in one
channel.
Senate Bill No 3, Committee Sub.
stitute, which permits the listing
OF unpaid assessment work on un
patented mining claims as taxes by
lien creditors or Judgment debtors.
passed its second reading today.