Evening star., 1951-02-22
Crime Probers
Consider DC.
in Bill
Bur Association
Asks More Time to
Study Provisions

ing crime plahs several more
closed sessions of his unit to mod
ify and amend the comprehensive
bill to tighten up law enforce
ment here.
At a public hearing yesterday,
the District Bar Association,
through its executive secretary,
James D. Mann, requested two
or three weeks to study the bill
before reporting to the subcom-
mittee. Mr.. Davis indicated the
subcommittee will grant the extra
time.
Corporation Counsel Vernon e.
West offered one minor amend
ment to the pending bill, in addi-
ton to a set of proposals recently
submitted by the District Conn
missioners for changes.
Heals defended the Commits
sioners' objections to mandatory
minimum sentences, provisions to
ban after-hours clubs and dis
missal of officials who refuse to
answer questions put by Congress
sional committees, judges and
other officials.
Court Discretion Urged.
The bills provision for man.
datory minimum sentences in
cases of crimes such as robbery.
rape and attempted rape were
emphasized by committee mem
bers as necessary to curb these
offenses. But Mr.. West contended
sentences should be left to the
discretion of the courts, with
probation and parole possible,
especially for first offenders.
There is to much robbery, too
much rape, and attempted rape
here in Washington" declared
Representative Smith, Democrat.
of Virginia, defending the proyi-
sion for minimum sentences.
Congress has been shocked by
the number of rape cases." he de-
clared. These ofenses, he as
serted. were among the principal
reasons for setting up the Crime
Investigation Committee.
Asked for an alternative to
mandatory minimum sentences,
Mr.. West suggested the commit
tee recommend to jurists imposi-
ton of heavier sentences at their
own discretion.
A great deal of crime, Mr.. Smith
insisted, is committed by those
who have been let out on proba-
ton or parole.
"I am not willing to leave it
fully in the hands of the judges, +"
he declared.
Proposes Licensing Clubs.
Mr.. West also opposed the bills
provision to close after-hours
clubs as nuisances. He submitted
instead a proposal, recently rec
commended by the Commissioners,
to license places of entertainment
where liquor is not sold and place
them under Jurisdiction of the
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
Another amendment recon-
mended by Mr.. West would revise
the Davis bill to assure police the
right to carry billies, which he
feared the pending measure would
prohibit.
F. H. McGuigan of the WASH
ington Central Labor Union OBJ
jected to "the severe and oppres-
sive nature of parts of the legis-
iation. He said "it treats too
harshly with the offender without
giving sufficient attention to the
conservative factors of criminals
ity and the possibilities of rehabil-
itation." He opposed the fixed
minimum sentences in certain of
tense categories.
Jury Provisions Protested.
MIR. McGuigan also objected to
elimination Of jury trials in Ger
tain cases. His union opposes
establishment of qualifications for
jury service in the Davis bill, he
said. because they would restrict
or eliminate many worthy citizens
from jury participation"
Clifford H. Newell, appearing for
the Arkansas Avenue Community
Association, praised the Davis sub
committee for it's efforts and said
he hopes the bill will be enacted
to plug UP loopholes in the law"
John H. Connaughton of the
Petworth Citizens Association, de-
claring crime is too prevalent in
Washington" expressed the hope
the Davis subcommittee will per-
feet it's bill and that it will be
passed to enable you to do what
needs to be DONE"
Small Arms Plan Opposed.
Maj. Gen. Ellard A. Walsh, pres
ident of the National Guard Asso-
citation, asked the subcommittee
to strike from the bill a provision
requiring permit to purchase
small arms. He insisted present
law is adequate.
Col. Francis w. Parker of the
National Rifle Association also OBJ
jected to the small arms proviso
because of it's effect on national
defense"
Mrs. Ernest w. Howard, presi-
dent of Columbia Heights Citizens
Association, asked: "Why are
there so few convictions when so
many are arrested?"
MS. Branson Gilbert McIlwee
Of 507 Quackenbos street NV.
testified as a citizen and a
mother" saying, "It isn't safe
any more to be in Washington."
She charged violators of the law
are serving on juries, and jury
summons are being sent to chill
dren.