Evening star., 1937-08-20
JUVENILE COURT
BILL S|DETRACKED
Small Claims Plan Given
New Life, HoWever-En-
aCtment Is Seen,

Revision Of the Districts Juvenile
Court code has been sldetracked by
Congress until the next session, but
the bill to establish small claims
and conciliation branch in Municipal
Court took q new lease on life today
as the House and Senate sought to
wind up business and go home by to-
morrow.
The Juvenile Court measure has
passed both houses, but when con-
ferees met late yesterday to adjust
differences, it was decided to let the
bill remain unfinished until the next
session, because Of the number OF
controversial questions to be settled"
according to Chairman King OF the
Senate committee.
The bill win retain its status in
conference, however, and when Con-
gress reoeayenes the eonferess can
proceed to work out an agreement
without having the bill passed again.
Meanwhile, King had the small
claims court plan sent to the House
for possible action today or tomorrow.
The bill passed the Senate more than
a week ago, but shortly thereafter was
held up by motion to reconsider. Yes
terday King had the motion to recon-
slider laid on the table. which started
the bill moving again along the road
to enactment
Taxi Bill Seen Shelved.
1t is intended to aid litigants IN
settling small financial disputes, in
volving not more than $50, by estab-
fishing a conciliation branch in which
legal formalities and costs would be
reduced to a minimum
The Juvenile Court measure was
intended to bring procedure here into
line with the standard Juvenile Court
law, the theory Of which is to treat
minor offenders as persons needing the
help of the court rather than as criu-
inals to be prosecuted. The two houses
differed decidedly, however, on details
of the bill. One main issue was
whether an ofncer OF the court or
an assistant corporation counsel
should pass upon preliminary COM
plants and decide whether formal
action should be taken
insurance legislation, al
ready passed by the House, appears
destined to remain on the Senate cal
endar until the next session Objec-
ton was raised to its consideration
yesterday, and it probably will not be
called up again.
Liquor Bill Passed.
The Senate, however, passed with
an amendment the House bill making
four changes in the local liquor law.
and this probably will be completed
before adjournment. The changes are E:
Discontinuance of the bond required
from dealers to insure payment Of
taxes, since taxes are now collected
by sale of stamps; limitation Of
gallon on amount Of liquor 3 person
may have brought in from outside the
District at one time; elimination Of
the requirement for advertising Of ap-
plications for renewal of licenses;
gives the Beverage Control Board dis
cretion In deciding whether. to placard
places where licenses are suspended
The House has before it bill
passed by the Senate yesterday to
change the name of Police Court to
City Court of the District. Senator
Schwellenbach, Democrat. of Wash
ington was blocked in an effort to
include an amendment repeating the
prpviso in the District appropriation
act which gives the Commissioners
control over space in the new Police
Court Building on Fifth street.
Schwellenbach declared the pro-
viso was inserted in the supply bill
in conference after both houses had
rejected q similar provision on points
of order. Senator King objected to
repeal OF the clause, contending the
Commissioners should have jurisdic-
ton to allocate space in the new
building to other crowded District
agencies.