Evening star., 1942-10-14
District Bar Indorses
Proposed Amendment
10 Compensation Act
Lowers Told New Plan
Effects More Equitable
Distribution of Toxes

A resolution approving the bill in
troduced into Congress yesterday to
amend the District Unemployment
compensation Act to place payment
basis on an experience rating rather
than on the present flat-rate plan,
was adopted last night by the Dis
trict Ear Association.
Cf.~r..s v uniay, chairman Of the
Tax snd Taxation Committee, told
the meeting in the Mayflower Hotel
that lawyers here have an annual
payroll of more than SO 1000, 900 and
That the present system places
burden on them as we'll as other
employers. However, under the pro-
posed bill, 1t was pointed out, a more
equitable distribution of the tax
would be made with the employe.
On recommendation of the Com
mlttee of Nine, the association
agreed to 1ndorse the pending con-
greslonal bill to permit speeding for
lectures and the reduction of fines
on charges of having no permit from
$500 or six months to $500 and 80
Gays. These bills, if passed, would
help clear the jammed District
dockets in court, it was said.
Other Legislation Opposed.
On the other hand, the associa-
ton voted to oppose a bill to prohibit
contingent contract fees negotiated
with the Government. The meeting
was told 1t would be injurious to the
legal profession, in that many duties
OF lawyer in this city involve spe-
clal Investigations and inquiries for
clients which could be placed under
the purview of the bill. 1t was de-
elared that under the pending bill
mere inquiry concerning what con-
tracts are available would be barred
TO the legal profession.
However, the GROUP recognized an
inherent danger of certain types of
lobbying which could, under present
conditions, come under the general
heading of legal advice or inquiry,
but 1t was maintained that the i'm
pending bill was drawn injudici-
ously.
Archie Shiepe, chairman of the
Membership Committee, announced
there now were 200 members of
the association serving in the armed
forces as he called for an enlarged
membership to fill in for them.
1t was announced the annual din
her will be held December S in the
Mayaower Hotel and that plans
Tor the fete were well under way
Municipal Judge Speaks.
Paul B. Cromelin, president, an
nounced the campaign to purchase
two ambulances, one for the Naval
Air Station and the other for Wal
ter Reed Hospital, had produced
good results and that completion of
the drive is expected to be marked
with presentation of the vehicles
at the annual dinner.
Judge George P. Barse, head of
the new Municipal Court, as guest
speaker, declared that new judicial
group was "a peoples court in deal
ings with the law" He asked help
of the association for the poor peo-
pie in court through special investi-
cations in civil as well as criminal
cases. He cited several cases in
which investigation had brought out
facts to mitigate the immediate situ-
alton. He expressed the hope that
through thorough investigation many
cases would not lead to the cell
block but to rehabilitation Of the in
dividual.
The new Municipal Court system,
he said, has greatly reduced the
overcrowded docket and it is the aim
of the judges to cut this further and
ultimately reach current" stage.
A bylaw amendment was adopted
naming seven members of the asso-
citation to consult with Justice De-
partment officials on appointments
to local courts. Those elected were
Walter M. Bastian, Francis w. Hill.
ir.: E. Barrett Prettyman, Seton
Dsrr. H. Winship Wheatley, John E.
Taskey and Godfrey T. MIInter