Evening star., 1935-12-20
@,5lO,ODO ASKED
FOR BUILDINGS IN
JUDICIARY SQUARE
Treasury Advance Is Sought
Since P. w. A. Grant Is
Not Forthcoming.
LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS
GIVEN COMMISSIONERS
Prettyman Designs to Strengthen
Small Loan Act and Drug
Control Laws.

The Treasury would be authorized to
advance to the District $3,500,0 900 for
construction of new homes for the
three minor courts Of the District and
the recorder of deeds Office in Ju-
dietary square. under bill forwarded
to the Commissioners today by Cor
poration Counsel Prettyman.
Drafting of the proposed measure
constitutes a new move by the Dis
trict to obtain funds at an early date
held to be urgently needed because OF
lack of adequate space and antiquated
conditions of their present housing
The District would begin to repay
the money advanced by the Treasury
at the rate of $1,000,000 year after
the District had completed repayment
of sums loaned the District by the
Public Works Administration.
p. w. A. Loan Authorized.
Congress at the past session author
lied the District to apply to the P. w
A. for a loan for the construction OF
the proposed new minor courts build
ings. The Commissioners promptly
applied to the P. w. A., but to date
that Federal agency has failed to ad-
vance the money or to state that il
would be able to do so.
The draft of Prettyman's bill pro-
vides that the funds would be imme-
diately available. The act of Congress
last year authorizing the Commission
ers to seek a P. w. A. loan for the
purpose gave authority for use of land
in Judiciary Square to the north OF
District Supreme Court. Municipal
Architect Nathan c. Wyeth already
has prepared sketches of the proposed
three new buildings.
The bill provides that plans for the
location would have to be approved BY
the National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission as well as by the
Commissioners.
Other Legislative Proposals.
Prettyman today also laid before the
Commissioners several other legislative
proposals, designed to strengthen the
small loan act, unless Congress should
prefer to adopt the bill offered last
year by the Commissioners; to
strengthen the drug control laws and
to make the Traffic Department an
ofice Of record" in connection with
recording of titles and liens on motor
vehicles.
When Congress adjourned last ses-
sion without approving the bill pro-
posed by the Commissioners. which
would restrict interest and other
charges for small loans to per cent
d month, Prettyman launched a drive
to compel small loan dealers to COM
ply with provisions of the 1913 loan
shark act. Last week Police Court
Judge decided in a test case that the
1918 statute refers only to lenders
and does not cover charges which may
be made by one acting merely as a
broker or procurer of loans. The
court suggested remedial legislation.
Prettyman's proposed amendment to
the present law would provide that
the allowed 6 per cent interest shall
be held to include all charges of what
ever nature received for the loan. Also
it would definitely place 'procurors'
Of loans on the same basis as lenders
1t would forbid advertising by lenders
except those duly licensed and charg-
ing 6 per cent or less. Another pro-
vision would seek to prevent suits for
collection here by out-of-town lenders
Wh0 charge moro than tho allnwed
District rates.
Bill Favored.
Prettyman favors the bill considered
by Congress last session, but argues
that the present law must be strength
ened even If last years thoroughgoine
proposal is not accepted.
Prettyman told the Commissioners
the Harrison narcotic act and the
existing District act on drugs are in
adequate He submitted bill follow
ing the lines of the proposed uniform
narcotic act adopted by 90 States
The measure has the Endorsement Of
Health Officer Rutland.
A second proposed new pharmacy
measure would require that barbifa
and other hypnoticS and sleep-pro'
ducing drugs would be sold only or
written prescription of licensed ply
sicians, dentists or veterinarians. Il
also would require that every phar-
macy be equipped with other neces-
sary and technical instruments.
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