Evening star., 1942-03-26
ID. {. Leaders
Back Tests for
Drunk Driving
Law Held Needed
In Helping Curb
Auto Fatalities

Auto fotulItIeS
Legislation to authorize scientific
tests for motorists suspected of being
under the influence of liquor was
given unanimous Endorsement today
by District officials and civic and
temperance leaders at public hear
mittee.
The subcommittee had under con-
sideration two bills which would
allow person arrested on suspicion
of driving while drunk to take some
form Of scientific test to reveal the
amount of alcohol he had consumed.
Blood. breath or urine tests are
proposed.
Harry S. Wender, vice president
OF the Federation of Citizens Asso-
Citations, told the subcommittee.
headed by Representative Mcmillan.
Democrat, of South Carolina, that
so many traffic accidents have been
caused by drunk drivers that scien-
tific tests should be adopted to find
out the degree of intoxication of
person involved in an accident.
Cost Would Be Low.
He said breath tests could be
made "at little cost"
Il think a scientific test would
save a lot of men from going to
Jail on policeman's say-so," re-
marked Chairman Mcmillan.
you've hit the nail squarely on
the head" declared Mr.. Wender.
adding: I'm not concerned with
the moral aspect of the problem"
Nor am l." interrupted Repre-
sentative Mcmillan.
This is not a wet or dry subject"
added Nj Wender. It's a safety
problem No citizen who had not
imbibed too freely would hesitate to
take the test. no more than he would
object to having his fingerprints
taken"
Maurice o. Eldridge, assistant
traffic director, indorsed the prin-
ciples involved in both bills, but
suggested they be combined. One
of the measures would extend the
privilege of the tests to persons ar
rested on suspicion of being under
the influence of narcotics.
Police Data Cited.
"1ntoxication IS one of the most
serious of our present-day traffic
problems" declared Mr.. Eldridge.
During the fiscal year beginning
July l, 1910. and ending June 80,
194l, there were 448 arrests in the
District for driving under the in
fluence of liquor. Only 18l, or about
40 per cent of those arrested, were
convicted Of that offense.
Our records show that out Of
each 1000 arrests in the District
for driving under the influence of
liquor. 81 per cent had been in.
volved in accidents"
Mr. Eldridge said the efficiency
Of chemical tests, blood, breath and
urine. is now recognized by the best
authorities on this subject and such
tests are recommended by the COM
mittee on tests for intoxication Of
the National Safety Council.
He said medical authorities hold
that Is hundredths Of l per cent Of
alcohol in the, blood is sufficient to
cause intoxication. That" he
pointed out, lis equal to six bottles
of beer or three stiff drinks Of
whisky"
Necessity Explained.
What is the necessity for this
legislation?" asked Representative
Russell. Democrat, of Texas, a for
mer Circuit Court judge.
We've found that a large num-
Der of accidents in Washington are
caused by drunk drivers" responded
Mr.. Eldridge.
Doesn't common knowledge teach
a fellow to tell when another is un-
der the influence of liquor?' inquired
Representative Russell I'm not
going to say the police are at fault
all the time in accusing a man Of
being drunk. 1t may be the court
or the jury"
DR.. A. Magruder Macdonald, Dis
trict coroner, and his assistant. DR..
Richard M. Rosenberg. said they
approved the proposed legislation as
"a matter of principle"
The mere fact that a policeman
smells alcohol on the breath of a
driver" said DR.. Macdonald, lis not
prima facie evidence of drunken
ness. Scientific tests will assure q
fair trial"
Leaders Approve Idea.
| Others who approved the pro-
posed legislation included the Rev.
Thomas E. Boorde. president of the
United Dry Forces of the District;
Clarence T. Wilson, vice president of
the Anti-Saloon League of the
United States, and Washington I.
Cleveland. manager of the District
division of the American Automo-
bile Association.
DR.. Boorde declared scientific
tests would insure justice" and
Mr.. Cleveland expressed the opinion
they would very definitely improve
conditions"
Representative Russell said he,
too. approved the idea Of scientific
tests, but warned that they would
not be constitutional If made COM
pulsory. That" he held, would
make person be a witness against