Evening star., 1936-01-18
CHAIRMAN NORTON
PLANS COMMITTEE
FIGHT FOR BALLOT
Resolution Is Referred to
Judiciary Group by
| Speaker Byrns.
SIMILAR TO THAT
OF FORMER SESSION
Capper to Demand Public Hearing
in Senate-Juvenile Court
Bill Introduced.
BY JAMES e. CHINN.

BY JAMES T.. CHINN.
Chairman Norton of the House Dis
trict Committee announced today she
would carry her battle for national
representation for the District before
the Judiciary Committee "at the first
opportunity"
The announcement followed intro
duction in the House late yesterday Of
a Joint resolution to remove the
shackles of disfranchisement from
residents of the Capital. The resolu-
ton is similar to one introduced in
the Seventy-third Congress. 1t pro-
vides for Congress to authorize vote
by the States of a constitutional
amendment to give the people of the
District the privilege of voting for the
President and representatives in the
House and Senate.
The resolution provides that the
District shall elect one or two SEN
ators, as determined by Congress, and
other Representatives in the House,
their number to be determined by
the decennial census enumeration.
Senator Capper, Republican, Of
Kansas has an identical resolution
before the Senate Judiciary Commit
tee. He said he would insist upon a
public hearing at the current session
of Congress.
Given Judiciary Committee.
Mrs. Norton made an effort to have
her resolution referred to the Dis
trict Committee, where it would re-
ceive early attention. Speaker ByrnS.
however, directed that it be sent to
the Judiciary Committee-the same
committee in which a similar reso-
luton languished throughout the Sew.
enty-third Congress.
In addition to the national repre-
sentation resolution, Mrs. Norton in
troduced a bill to alter the character
of the Juvenile Court, changing it
from a criminal to a chancery tribu-
nal, and prepared to submit another
measure Monday to legalize horse rac-
ing in the District under the pari-
mutuel system.
The Juvenile Court bill also will
increase the authority of the judge
of that court. It will be referred to
the Judiciary Subcommittee of the
District Committee and placed on
the calendar for early hearings.
The bill is an outgrowth of a move-
ment extending over several years.
1t is supported by the League of Wom-
en- Voters and has the approval Of
the District Bar Association.
Mrs. Norton explained the measure
is in line with Juvenile Court laws in
more progressive cities throughout the
country. All children under Is years
of age, charged with certain offenses,
are subject to the jurisdiction Of the
court as prescribed in the bill.
Separate Hearings Provided.
The bill states: THE court may
conduct the hearing in an informal
manner and may adjourn the hear
ing from time to time. All cases in
volving children shall be heard sep
arately and apart from the trial Of
cases against adults. The court shall
hear and determine all cases of chill
dren without jury.
IF a child is found to come within
the Jurisdiction of the court, three
| major courses would be open. The
court may commit the child to an
| institution, or it may make such fur.
ther disposition as it may deem best.
mo adjudication upon the status Of
any child in the jurisdiction of the
court shall operate to impose any OF
the civil disabilities ordinarily i'm
posed by conviction" the bill stipu-
lates, NOR shall any child be deemed
criminal by reason of such ad-
judication, nor shall such adjudication
be deemed conviction of any crime"
The bill also provides that the
Juvenile Court record of a child cam
not be introduced as evidence against
any child in another court proceed
ing, nor can it operate to disqualify
the child in the future from appoints
ments to jobs in the District or Fed.
eral Governments.
The bill to legaliZe horse racing
t1s similar to the one passed by the
House at the last session, but killed
in the Senate on the lone objection
of Senator Capper. 1t would set up
a racing board of three members at
a salary of $4,000 each. The board
would be appointed by the Commits
Sioners and have control and super
vision over all racing.
| The licensee who operated the race
track would be required to deduct
10 per cent of the total daily play,
and turn one-third over to the Dis
trict.