Evening star., 1935-04-16
SENATE PASSES
3D|STR|CT BILLS
Homicide, Convention and
Baby Measures Now
Go to House.

A new traffic offense, known as neg
Igent homicide, to expedite trial of
fatal accident cases, will be added to
the District code If the House approves
bill passed by the Senate yesterday
afternoon.
The Senate also gave its approval
yesterday to the joint resolution au-
thorizing the Commissioners to make
necessary arrangements for handling
crowds during the Shrine convention
in June, at an estimated cost Of S54,-
900. The committee report pointed
out the convention is expected to bring
more than 100000 visitors to the city.
The resolution is to cover the usual
public order plans for large gatherings,
such as at Inauguration time.
A third bill passed by the Senate
is the Copeland measure to prevent
blindness in infants born in the Dis
trict, by authorizing the Health De-
partment to prepare and distribute
suitable prophylactic treatment, to be
applied to the eyes Of newborn babies.
All three bills still require House ac-
ton.
Michigan Law Copied.
The negligent homicide bill Is copied
from a Michigan law. 1t was recon-
mended by the Commissioners, who
told the Senate District Committee 1t
takes too long to dispose of fatal auto
mobile cases under the manslaughter
charge, which requires indictment, be-
cause it is a felony. Negligent homi-
eide would be q misdemeanor. and the
coroner could certify such cases either
to Police Court or District Supreme
Court for trial.
District officials also reported that
it is hard to get juries to convict driv-
ers of manslaughter because Of the
high maximum penalty which is pos
sible on that charge. Negligent honi-
eide would be punishable by a jail
to exceed $1,000, or both. Prosecu-
tors could still use the manslaughter
charge in cases where the circum-
stances indicated wanton carelessness.
It would also be possible for a jury
hearing q manslaughter case to bring
in a verdict Of negligent homicide, If
it felt the facts did not justify man
slaughter.
The Senate also considered the new
small-loan regulation bill yesterday,
but action was postponed when Sena-
tor Norris, Republican Of Nebraska,
said 1t was too important to pass
under the unanimous consent rule.
Opposes Interest Rate.
Norris voiced opposition to the
main feature of the bill, raising the
rate Of interest on small loans from
l to 2 per cent a month. Chairman
King Of the District Committee said
20 years Of experience with the / per
cent law has shown loan agencies
will not operate here at that rate,
and that District residents are cross
ing into Maryland and Virginia to
make loans.
Previously, Senator Schall, Republi-
can Of Minnesota, had urged post
ponement Of the bin, citing the argu-
ments advanced by the department
Of remedial loans Of the Russell Sage
Foundation. One Of these arguments
was that on loans below $35 for 80
days or less, the pending bill would
allow too great q charge. Senator
King replied that, while it Is true
that a loan Of S. for a few weeks
would carry high rate, he expressed
doubt such loans would be made. On
loans Of 500, or up to $500, Senator
King said the pending bill requires
lower interest payments than the
plan advocated by the Russell Sage
Foundation. y