Evening star., 1941-08-03
Civic Problems, Civic Bodies
New Senator on District Committee;
Court Plan Given Civic Approval
BY JESSE c. SUTER

By c. SUTER
The week notable through confirmation by the
Senate of the nominations Commissioner
and Matthew F. MCGUIRE of Com
missioner Mason nducted into Office Tuesday 1t under
office until beginning
OF the fall term of the court.
Another newcomer is to become a member of
Committee the District of Columbia He Gov w Lee
ODaniel Senator Morris Sheppard He is
expected Washington this week.
Sheppard Committee
friendly legislation after
his retirement from the committee and until his death.
The Girls Club of Georgetown formerly opened on Tues
day evening Its clubhouse in the of the Curtis School,
izaon follows largely those of the successful Boys Clubs OF
Washington Many complaints have been heard for long time
that the girls being 1t claimed that the same
need exists for clubs girls Similar clubs in other
sections are expected to be organized
A bill for a modification Borland street.
paving pending before the House District Committee
Commissioners and the corporation counsel
It's passage earnestly sought by the civic forces generally
officials appointed the Commits
confeng with members of the Police Department in
connection with under way of reorganization OF the
sessions private and entirely free from any
sensationahsm.
Improving the Courts Through Consolidation.
Professional organization approval with little
the proposal and reorganze
Municipal Police The original plan worked
Of Justice and the District Bar Association
promises extensive improvements OF the courts and court
all along the line.
Long and hours,
criminal
Justice handling reforms intro
helpful The orderly
assignment and the pe procedure have expedited the
court business.
In the Municipal Court the creation
has smped procedure materially accumulation
though their number has increased under the
plan
The Police judges
time but nothing beyond giving build
ing to improve and speed up Its procedure continues
that sessions short that vacations too long and
judges from their frequent and prolonged
relief of its civil bu
citizens believe that there should be provided
appeal appellate the decisions
the Municipal and Police Courts No such right exists
entertaining appeal the United States Court
District Columbia entirely discretionary
The foregoing briefly the problems which
trainers of the bill sought solve Some of abs
lawyers proposal
that will bring marked improvement in
the prompt and effective administration of justice
original pending bill provides for the creation of NUM-
cipa Police
The court would have civil and criminal branches depart
judges of the would be interchangeable in the
branches the performance of their duties The assign
would made by chief judge who would also exercise
authority the court and the judges Records of the
and the length sessions would be
kept under the direction of the chief Judge
The operation of the court in Its various units would be adapted
Of be handled by its several branches the
demand for jury trials excessive for instance the number OF
Jury courts might be increased by the chief judge
rugged ndividuasm" judges under the present
system might craped supervisory pa
expected produce uniformity procedure practice
and penalties This would eliminate the criticism the lack Of CO.
coordination the police and municipal
Judges.
judges would years pro-
vision made for retirement pension These features 1t Is
thought would make these positions attractive to able
The right of appeal assured by the plan to gans in the
Municipal Court through the creation of intermediate
pelate feature while citizen
tighten the burden of the United States Court of Appeals
Highway Program Is Primarily Federal Obligation.
Civic leaders becoming and impressed that the
gasoline approach solution the
problem highway
AS it, much of the plan required conditions
duced the Federal
large incidental increase of population.
hearings held last the emphasis has all
raising taxation through increased gasoline
The obligation proposed placed the drivers
vehicles No definite indefinite plan has been offered for
the sharing of the between the and the United
States upon equitable basis.
The District Commissioners urging the immediate enact
ment of bill for increased of cents gallon gasoline
used for vehicle fuel 1t reported that Commissioner,
the hearing said would break his heart Congress would
raised taxation Another Commissioner quoted
saying You can't buy suit without paying for it Both
these Commissioners overlooked the most vital part of the prob
lem which is-who will for whose suit?
Within there have been put through several
costly capital expenditures which the United States has shared
the the District equitable basis Needed
Municipal Center Building and
have met through advances
the Federal Treasury part of which grant and the
remainder a interest loan
the tax yield under the
cents gallon The conservation program
It estimated will the consumption about third Another
factor suggested likely to further reduce the local
gasoline the higher rentals charged for
rnunie be reflected in inducements to buy beyond
the District.
These are interesting questions bearing the
possible tax WELD considered vital part Of the
- 1nIo chopI has