Evening star., 1953-06-07
Anti-Cri11e Bill
Up for Action
Here Tomorrow
Senute and House
Measures Fix
Minimum Terms

The Districts big anti-crime
bill with one controversial section
and nearly 70 changes in the law
comes up for action tomorrow in
beth the Senate and the House
The controversy centers on
fixed minimum sentenceS-with-
out probation or parole-for Of
tenders accused of rape, assault
with intent to commit rape, rob-
berry, housebreaking at night and
assault with a dangerous weapon
on a police officer.
There are mandatory mini
imum sentences for some other
crimes also included in the crime
bill but these apply to offenders
already convicted of another
felony.
First Offenders Excepted.
The sole difference between
the Senate and House versions
involves when fixed maximums
should apply. The House bill
applies to all offenders convicted
of the listed crimes. The Senate
bill applies to repeaters and ex-
cepts first offenders.
In reporting out the bill last
week, Chairman Case of the Sen
ate District Committee said first
offenders were excepted in the
interest of getting the bill
through the Senate, where some
lawyer members have objected
to fixed minimum sentences.
Outside of the mandatory min
imum sentences, the bill has had
wide support from District and
court officials. Most of the pro-
visions came out of the 1850 Dis
trict crime investigation by a
House District subcommittee
headed by Representative Davis,
Democrat, of Georgia. The other
provisions were among bills in
troduced by Senator Nicely, Dem
ocrat, of West Virginia, after the
Senate District Committees
crime investigation of last year.
Sitter Penalties.
In addition to providing sitter
penalties for many offenSeS and
spelling out other offenSes more
specifically, the bill:
Makes the offender responsible
for a woman's death from illegal
abortion guilty of second degree
murder.
Increases the type Of persons
forbidden to own a pistol to in
cIude dope addicts, all felons.
vice law violators, vagrants and
those convicted of selling weap-
ons without a license. This sec
ton also forbids selling a pistol
to anyone under 81 and outlaws
the switch-blade knife.
Streamlines gambling laws and
provides forfeiture of personal
property-including money and
automobileS-us to violate
gambling laws. This section
also provides that a witness can
be compelled to testify in a
gambling case after claiming his
privilege against Self-incrimina-
ton but he cannot be prosecuted
on what he has testified except
for perjury or contempt COM
mitted during his testimony.
Authorizes Searches.
Authorizes police to make ar
rests without a warrant and
searches of the person if there
is probable cause to believe the
suspect is carrying. deadly
weapon, implements of crime
such as burglary tools, numbers
tickets or stolen property.
Makes it a crime to be found
in a gambling or narcotics joint
or a place where whisky is sold
illegally if the patron knew it
was such an establishment and
could not give good account of
his presence there. The habitue
of "dive" could be imprisoned
for up to a year, fined up to
$500 or both.
Makes it a crime to possess
implements of crime.
Gives more protection to per-
sons who receive threats.
Gives the Municipal Court
jurisdiction in larceny. false pre-
tences and embezzlement cases
where the property involved is
less than $100, instead of the
present less than $50. This was
sought to take some of the load
off the higher court.
Controls After Hours Clubs.
Sets up a Council of Law En-
forcement to make a continuing
study of crime and law enforce
ment here and report regularly
to Congress.
Gives special investigators for
the United States Attorneys Of
flee the same powers to make
arrests as policemen have.
Controls after-hourS clubs
through licensing.
Provides for appointment of q
psychiatrist and psychologist to
advise the courts, the Depart
ment of Corrections and the Pa
role Board.
Requires bondsmen to keep de-
tailed records, including the
name of the persons who pay the
bills.
Uniform ExtraditiOn.
Sets up a uniform law Of ex-
tradition.
Eliminates an age limit of 65
for jurors and provides for their
selection from different parts of
the District and from it's intel
ligent and upright citizens"
Provides for forfeiture of Office
by a District employe who re-
fuses to testify on grounds of
Standardization. Former en-
ployes who stand on their Con-