Evening star., 1951-05-15
ID. {. Crime Bill
Fixes Minimum
|0n Sentences
House Committee
Unanimously Backs
Disputed Provision
By Miriam Gutenberg,

The House District Committee
today unanimously adopted the
most controversial provision Of
the big crime curb bill-f1xed min
Iimum sentences for certain crimes.
With that section out of the
way, committee aides confidently
predicted that work can be COM
Ipleted on the 30-point measure
lat the next committee meeting.
In addition to the minimum
sentence provision, the committee
decided on two other disputed
sections. but left three more in
Iabeyance for the next meeting.
The committee decided to
amend the section on dangerous
weapons so that those seeking
permits for firearms would not
have to register and be finger
printed and photographed before
the permit was issued.
Dangerous Weapon Curb Kept.
Another provision to amend the
Dangerous Weapons Act, however,
would stay in the much-revised
bill. This would require advance
permission from the police chief
for the purchase of a machine
gun, sawed off shotgun or black
Jack.
The bill originally provided for
the elimination of jury trials in
certain cases, and this was re-
moved at the request of Corpora
ton Counsel Vernon West. Chief
Judge George Barse of Municipal
Court. however, asked that it be
lreinstated to speed trial of cases.
But the committee decided TODAY
to leave the section out of the
bill.
Still awaiting committee action
are provisions to reorganize the
Metropolitan Police Department to
provide five investigators for the
United States attorneys office and
to regulate bottle clubs.
The bottle clubs section, it was
explained, is still in some dispute,
Inc disagreement, however, is over
methods of putting the clubs out
OF existence if they are crime
breeders.
! Everybody wants to wipe them
out, a committee aide explained.
The question is how to do it,"
Opposed by Judiciary.
The minimum sentence section
was different matter. It was
strongly opposed by the judiciary.
the prosecutors and penologists,
who claimed it limited the discre-
ton OF the courts and did not take
extenuating circumstances into
consideration.
some committee members. how
ever. have argued that Judges in
Washington are too lenient and
that sitter penalties would be a
strong deterrent to crime.
The minimum sentences, which
judges would have to impose
under the bill, would be as fol-
lows:
For assault with intent to COM
nit rape and robbery, not less
than three years for first offenders.
or five years for those previously
convicted of crimes of violence.
For house-breaking at night.
not less than one year for a first
offense. or three years for Offend
ers previously convicted of crimes
of violence.
Five Years for Rape.
For rape, not less than five
years and not less than 10 years
for an offender previously con-
victed of a crime of violence.
For assault with a dangerous
weapon on a policeman, not less
than one year.
For illegal possession of a pistol.
not less than one year for second
defenders.
For illegal possession of burglar
tools, not less than one year for
second offenders or for offenders
previously convicted of a felony.
Those punished with these min
lmum sentences would not be ELI
Iglble for parole at any time before
the expiration of the minimum
sentence.