Evening star., 1953-01-18
Federation Backs
Dope Treatment Law
And Heavy Penalties

Heavier penalties for violators
of narcotics laws and proper
treatment for drug addictS were
urged last night in resolutions
adopted by the Federation of
Citizens Associations.
The federation, meeting at the
District Building, heard a joint
report on the subject by it's Law
and Legislation and Public
Health Committees. This was
laid before the group by DR..
Orlando G. Hall of the Pharma-
ceutical Association and chair
man of the Health Committee.
DisapprOve Needle Law
The organization adopted the
suggestion of it's joint COM
mittees and voted to disapprove
the So-called needle clause" of
the proposed amendments to
the Uniform Narcotic Act for
the District.
Herbert P. Leeman of the
KenilWorth Citizens Associa-
ton, former federation president,
explained that heavier penalties
in the form of Jail sentences and
fines in specific terms were left
to those drafting the legislation.
He said the compulsory treat
ment phase should be studied
by experts, so the joint COM
mittees did not recommend COM
pulsory disqualification. When
the bill is drafted, he said. the
federation will take proper
action.
Cites Right to Trial.
Edmund J. Wells of Shepherd
Park said the proposed legisla-
ton would not be unconstitu-
tional and a defendant would
have the right to a jury trial as
in other criminal cases.
At a previous federation ses-
sion, Abraham Chaifetz of the
Citizens Association of Takoma
had said the proposed bill was
''full of dynamite" and unconsti-
tutional. He was not present at
last nights meeting, but did at
tend the joint committee meet
ing and voted to recommend the
resolution, John H. Connaughton
of Petworth, another former
federation president, told the
assembly.
1t. Col. Edward A. Kane of
Michigan Park told the fedora
tion Maryland and Virginia have
passed more stringent laws
against narcotics. He said the
Districts laws should be as
strict as these ito drive these
people out"
Mrs. Henry A. Bartlett, the
federation's first vice president,
said the Welfare Committee will
study the report prepared re-
Gently by the Community Re-
search Associates, Inc. of New
York on the Washington Hous-
ing Association. The federation
adopted a resolution which she
proposed, asking the United
Community Services to send
copies of this report to fedora
tiOn member groCpS.
Urges Symphony Fund Aid.
Federation President Joseph
A. Kaufman urged citizens as
sociations to support the Ma
tlonal symphony Orchestra
Embarrassing drive, now begin
ming.
The federation adopted a res
olution offering President-elect
Eisenhower and Vice President
elect Nixon their cooperation on
matters pertaining to District
welfare. The resolution was pre-
sented by Mrs. Carrie G. Smith,
chairman of the Public Celebra-
tions Committee.
Frank H. Collins, second vice
president, said he hopes Gen.
Eisenhower will become a men,
Der of the West End Citizens AS
Sociation.
In other actiosn, the fedora
ton:
Unanimously adopted a resolu-
ton congratulating The Star on
its Tooth anniversary and its
news coverage of meetings of the
federation and citizens associa-
tions.
Admitted to membership the
Hawthorn Citizens Association.
Delegate William K. Norwood of
Chevy Chase explained this area
was carved out of the territory
OF the Chevy Chase Citizens AS
sociation. with it's sanction. The
new delegate. Everett N. Cross