Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-04-14
HOUSE DC. GROUP
ORDERS PROBE Of
THREE STATUTES
Alcohol Control, Public UtiI-
ity and Auto Responsibility
Investigations Set.
COMPULSORY JURY BILL
FOR WOMEN Is KILLED
Committee Sees Need for Revising
Laws on Basis of Complaints
by Its Own Members.

complete examination of the Dis
trict alcohol beverage control. public
utility and automobile financial laws
was ordered today by the House Dis
trict Committee. Three special sub.
committees will be appointed to make
the investigations.
Action was taken after bitter at
tacks on the Capital Transit Co. for
seeking higher token fare, on tina
Alcohol Beverage Control Board for
closing liquor establishments for fall
Ing TO pay private debts on time and
on the Commissioners for seeking au-
thorlty to suspend automobile drivers
permits for the failure of car owners
TO satisfy judgments for property dam
age under 500.
The committee also killed" a bill
recommended by the Commissioners
which would have made the service of
women on juries compulsory. Under
existing law woman cannot be
forced TO serve on a Jury.
The studies of the liquor control,
public utility and automobile financial
responsibility acts will be made with
view to determining what revisions
are necessary to correct conditions Of
which the committee members COM
plain.
Service Called "Disgraceful."
The proposed investigation of the
act creating the Public Utilities Com
mission resulted from criticism by
Representative Schultz, Democrat, Of
Indiana of street car and bus service.
Calling attention to the Capital Tran
sit Co. valuation hearings being con-
| Quoted by the commission, Schultz
branded the transportation service as
terrible and disgraceful" and pro-
tested against a valuation which would
entitle the transit company to in
/ creased fares
People are packed into the cars and
BUSES like sardines," he declared.
Even the people who control the
transportation service refuse to ride
in their own equipment"
| Representative Dirksen, Repub-
lican, of Illinois, urged the examina-
ton of the liquor control law after
| Representative Palmisano, Democrat,
Of Maryland, charged that the Alco-
holic Beverage Control Board was
acting as collection agency" for
| liquor wholesalers by suspending per-
mits of retailers for failing to pay
bills promptly. Members of the con-
| troll board will be called before the
investigating subcommittee to explain
their action.
Responsibility Law Assailed.
The attack on the automobile fnan-
cial responsibility law was led by
Representative Nichols, Democrat, of
Oklahoma, when Chairman Norton
asked the committee to consider a
Senate-approved bill to permit sus-
pension of a drivers permit for fail
ing to satisfy Judgment of any
amount. Permits cannot be sus-
pended under existing law unless the
unsatished judgment amounts to 500
or more.
This is the most ridiculous piece Of
legislation that has ever come before
this committee Nichols declared.
Dirksen pointed out the proposed
legislation would have "a great null
Sance value" in the event of trouble
between taxicab operators
Compulsory liability insurance for
all public carriers is the only answer
| Nichols said. The taXicab situation
is the biggest traffic problem in this
city"
The bill proposing to make women's
services on Juries compulsory was
tabled and its reconsideration during
the present Congress prohibited on
motion of Palmisano, which was
adopted by a six-to-four record vote.
The vote was as follows:
For tabling: Palmisano, Schultz,
Kennedy of Maryland and Quinn of
Pennsylvania, Democrats; Cole of New
York, Republican, and Hull, Progress
| sive of Wisconsin. Against: Norton
of New Jersey and Nichols, Democrats,
and Dirksen and Bates of Massachu-
sets, Republicans. Representative
Arnold, Republican, of Illinois, voted
present.