Evening star., 1953-01-04
Citizens Group
Defers Action on
Narcotics Law
Federation Aide
Sees Dynamite in
Proposed Changes


Proposed Changes
The Federation of Citizens As
sociations last night postponed
action on proposed compulsory
disqualification for narcotics ad-
diets and other amendments until
its law and legislation committee
can study them.
This action came after ex-
tended debate and legal maneu-
vering. BY the narrow vote of 20
to 26, the Federation voted to
send back its Health Committee
report on the subject, until its
Law and Legislation Committee
can make a joint report with it.
Some of the proposed amend
ments to the Districts Uniform
Narcotic Act approved June %.
1888 were labeled dynamite" by
Abraham Chaifetz, vice chairman
of the Law and Legislation Com
mittee. He charged the proposals
need further study and have not
received the attention Of the cur
rent committee. although pre-
vious one did study them.
Against 'Railroading.'
Mr.. Chaifetz contended the pro-
posed wording would permit thel
authorities to pick up anyone onI
Iha cfronfc ryikhny1f q vr,o ,.yso of EYa
likened this to the charge of al
woman, unsupported by evidence,
that man was the father of her
child and the issuance of a war
rant by Juvenile Court on her
complaint.
The lawyer pointed out that
the District Commissioners have
stricken from the bill the pro-
posed needle law. referring toI
hypodermic needles, used by drug
addicts. He made it clear he is
opposed to drug addiction favors
the most strict penalties for viola
ton, but is against any person
being picked upon the street and
railroaded off to any institution" u
The Federation first voted 32I
to % to table the Health Commit
tees report and resolution.
But later in the proceedings,
Mrs. Henry A. Bartlett, first vice
president, moved to take the
Health Committees report from
the table. She is vice chairman
of the committee. She pointed out
that the District Commissioners
have acted on this subject.
Long Debate Cited.
She also told the delegates that
other organizations in Washing
ton have approved proposed
changes strengthening the fight
against dope peddlers and addicts.
She pointed out the Health Com
mittee has debated the subject
for two months. She gave a sum-
mary of the recommendations,
which include sitter fines. COM
puisory confinement for addicts
and recording of sale of hypoder-
mic needles.
Harry N. Stull, the federatiun's
treasurer. added his voice to those
urging adoption of the report and
resolutions. He said the group does
not want to get out of line with
other organizations here that
have supported the proposed
changes. He said the federation
should not quibble over whether
the Law and Legislation Commit
tee is consulted. He said the res
olution merely puts the fedora
ton on record as favoring this
legislation.
The move to take the report
from the table was carried.
Mr.. Chaifetz then moved to re-
fer the subject to the Law and
Legislation Committee. But that
committees chairman, Peter Better,
declared he saw no necessity for
this.
Meaning Called Vague.
Thomas E. Lodge, former fed
Grafton president, said in reading
again the Health Committees re-
port to the body that he was un-
able to vote intelligently on its
recommendations He declared he
does not know exactly what is
proposed and urged it be sent
to the Law and Legislation
Cannnittee
The delegates voted to urge all
member association members to
support the Muscular Dystrophy
Association drive for funds to seek
a cure for this disease. It also
went on record to ask the motion
picture exhibitors here to show a
special movie on the subject. It
took this action after viewing the
film and hearing 1t. Comdr.
George c. Dixon of the Navy, pres
ident of the Dystrophy Associa-
tion's Washington Chapter, plead
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