Evening star., 1947-10-07
Sex Law Likely
In Next Session,
Kirkland Says
Senate Counsel Also
Predicts Statute to
HospitoIize Prisoners
By Harold B. Rogers

By Harold B. Rogers
James r. Kirkland, counsel to the
Senate District Committee, yester-
day predicted that Congress will
enact q new District law to curb
sex offenses against children.
Discussing District legislation be-
fore an American Veterans Com
mittee luncheon at the YWCA, Mr..
Kirkland voiced the opinion that
the sex measure would be among q
few new laws to be approved by the
next regular session Of Congress.
The others, he thought, would in
clude one to authorize courts to
hospitalize prisoners pending ar
raignment and trial, and to plug q
loophole In present law which does
not prevent an adult from buying
liquor and serving 1t to q minor. ;
Home rule for the city, he thought,
might have a chance.
Amplifying his views on the pro-
posed sex law, Mr.. Kirkland later
said that he fully recognized the
need for such legislation. He based
this opinion on his experience as
former Assistant United States At
torney for the District.
Says 1t Won't Add to Costs. .
Il think the bill now being framed
will be one Of the first local meas
ures to be introduced in Congress,
and one of the first to be acted on
by District committees" he said.
IT should be enacted, and probably
will be, because it will entail the ex-
penditure of no more money.
The measure, he pointed out, is
being drafted by United States At
torney George Morris Fay. It prob
ably will make sex offenses against
children felonies, instead of misde-
meanors as they now are. and will
provide heavy penalties. Mr.. Fay is
being assisted by a committee of the
District Bar Association in drafting
the bill,
The Eishtieth Congress, Mr.. Kirk
land said, was more favorably in
clined to the District than any other
for many years past. But due to
the pressure of business next ses-
sion the committees will probably
give much less time to the tax prob
lens of the National Capital than
they gave last session.
Expects Sales Tax Proposal.
Senator CAM Republican, of
Washington, the speaker pointed
out, has introduced bill to repeal
the tax on incomes of individuals,
as discriminatory. A sales tax no
doubt will be proposed and discussed
when Congress comes back, the
committee counsel said, but he saw
little likelihood of enactment soon
OF such legislation for the District.
Legislators, he warned, were SEN
sitive to public sentiment back home,
especially on the eve of a presi-
dental campaign, and no member
lof Congress could be expected TO
vote for sales tax here, If his
constituents back home were
against it.
The problem of District revenues
is becoming more acute, he said
because the real size of the city is
shrinking through acquisition OF
property by the Federal Govern
ment, Embassies, religious and edu-
cational institutions. This reduces
the taxable real estate, he said, to
the point where realty levies al
ready have been increased.
Such a situation, he pointed out,
makes this city IAN ideal place" for
sales tax, particularly to catch the
transient population, the Govern
ment workers who live in nearby
territory, and others who escape
taxes for support of the city where
they work and wear out public facil-
tiles.
Points to Maryland Revenue.
Only about 48 per cent of the city
area now is taxable, Mr.. Kirkland
emphasized. The new 2 per cent
sales tax in Maryland, he said, Is
far more revenue than anticipated.
The pending proposals for home
rule and reorganization of the Dis
trict Government, however, may
come strongly to the fore. he
thought.
Due to the pressure on Congress
for handling so many minor affairs
of the city, there is growing sem
timent on Capitol Hill. Mr.. Kirk
land said, for delegating increased
authority to the District govern
ment so as to relieve Congress.
The recommendation of the
American Veterans Committee on
Home Rule and Reorganization was
outlined briefly to the luncheon
group by Maynard De Witt, chair
man of the Local Affairs Committee
of the Greater Washington Council,
AVG.
In a statement filed with the
House District subcommittee handl-
ing the subject, Mr.. De Witt said,
the AVG recommended an elected
city council, an appointed city man
ager and complete suffrage.