Evening star., 1936-03-08
RENT COMMISSION
plan DRAWSF|RE
Citizens Federation Also
Opposes Magistrate
Court System. .

rent commission and establishment of
a limited system Of magistrate courts
was registered by the Federation of
Citizens Associations, meeting last
night at the District Building.
The group also protested against
some features Of the House bill to
amend the District code to restrict
the indeterminate sentence law and
make definite sentences mandatory
for second and third offenses in felony
cases.
All three actions we're taken on
recommendation of George e. Sulli-
van, chairman Of the Laws and Legis-
lation Committee. The latest rent
commission bill of Representative FL
lenbogen, Democrat, of Pennsylvania.
he said, differs from earlier bills in
that it would exempt new buildings
from the effects of the act.
Should Apprise Public.
eff those who claim that a con-
epiracy exists among a special group
to fix rents in violation Of the anti
trust law believe their claim to be we'll
founded, they owe it to themselves and
all good citizens to apprise the pub
lie authorities thereof, and obtain
prosecution under the law to remedy
such condition" his report said.
1T Is not believed that such claim
should be made the basis for law
of the character now proposed, aside
from the manifest unconstitutionality
OF the same if formally enacted"
The federation declared 'unsound"
every argument advanced in favor of
the magistrate court system, as pro-
posed by Corporation Counsel E. Bar
rett Prettyman and the Commission
ers. While facilities in the present
Police Courts are inadequate, it was
argued that this will be cured by the
construction of a new Police Courts
building. as provided in the 1897 ap-
preparation bill.
The federation held adoption of the
discarded" justice of peace system
would be decidedly backward STEP
Shocking and Revolving"
The code amendment bill. the fed
Grafton was told. would provide that
a second conviction of felony should
carry a prison sentence for the full
term provided by law for the specific
crime and that for any subsequent
conviction for a felony the punish
ment would be imprisonment for not
less than IS years.
The federation favored elimination
Of indeterminate sentences for second
or subsequent offenses, to give the
judge definite right to make definite
sentences. but disapproved any pro-
, vision which would withdraw from
> the judge decision as to length of the
prison sentence. 1t held such a change
would be Shocking and revolving" and
cause juries to refuse to convict.
The federation debated at length
the bill for compulsory semi-annual
mechanical inspection of all motor We
hicles at public testing stations, but
deferred action to the next meeting.
Committee Won't Approve.
Sullivan said his committee could
not approve. as now drawn, the bill for
changes in the Juvenile Court system.
On recommendation by Chairman
Harry N. Stull of the Education Com
mittee. the federation urged funds for
acquisition of land west of the Powell
Junior High School for a playground
Tor the Columbia Heights area, at
cost of some $4,000.
Naming of some District school in
honor of the late Washington Top
ham, for many years a civic leader,
will be urged by the federation on the
Commissioners and Board of Educa-
tion, on motion by Stull. j. F. Du-
hamel Of the Association of Oldest In
habitants, outlined the civic career of
Topham, formerly delegate from the
North Capitol Association and a for
mer leader in the Society of Natives.
Board of Trade and other groups.
The vote was unanimous.
DR.. Charles B. Campbell of the
Medical Society was authorized to
seek elimination from the bill passed
by the Senate to prescribe use of a
silver nitrate or other solution in the
eyes OF newborn babies, an amend
ment by Senator Copeland of New
York, which states the law shall not
be construed to apply to persons treat
ing human ailments by prayer or
spiritual means as an exercise or en-
joyment Of religious freedom" He
said this clause would nullify effect
OF the law,