Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-12
Psychiotrists Hit
Legislation as
Backward

Somewhat similar legislation
already has been approved by a
Senate District subcommittee
and is ready for action by the
full Senate District Committee.
Leaders of the Senate group
nope the measure may be ham
died by the full committee some
time this week. But no specific
date for such a session has yet
been set.
Meanwhile, the American PSy-
chiatric Association attacked the
narcotics bill, declaring that
such legislation represents
backward, rather than construc-
tive, approaches to a national
attack on drug addiction"
BASED on MiscOnceptiOn"
The psychiatrists declared that
the legislation is based on mis-
conception of the nature of drug
addiction as a pSychiatric illness
and appears to proceed mistak-
emily on the assumption that drug
addicts are especially responsible
for a substantial number Of
crimes of violence. ~
Bills like this. the associations
statement said, discourage or
abolish previous flexible provi-
sion for parole, probation and
assignment of drug addicts to
Federal hospitals, and thus will
impede medical progress that has
been initiated under existing leg
iSlation."
The group called for a gradual
development of a medical pro-
gram which would reduce drug
addiction and also take the
profits out of the illicit drug
trade.
The narcotics bill was one Of
eight District measures passed by
the House yesterday and sent to
the Senate.
) Beer Bill Not Called Up
One of the bills approved by
the House District Committee,
to allow District chain stores to
sell beer at each one of its OUT
lets, was not called up for ac-
tion yesterday by the House. 1t
was understood there was strong
objection to the measure from
retail liquor stores. Under pres
Ient regulations, chains may sell
beer at only one outlet.
House District COMMITTEES
chairman Mcmillan, however,
explained that the bill still re-
; mains on the House calendar
and is subject to be called up
later.
The narcotics bill. designed 10
, strengthen law enforcement here
against drug addicts and HARM
full drugs had been amended by
the House District Committee in
several particulars. One would
eliminate the original require
lment that Federal inspectors Of
: the Food and Drug Bureau Of
the Agriculture Department
could inspect the prescription
, files of druggists. This was cut
out because of objection by
, druggists.
Inspection Provision
4 The same committee on pro-
tests by physicians, eliminated
the original bills requirement
that Federal agents could inspect
the prescription files of doctors.
The Senate's District subcom-
mittee did not make these
changes in the similar narcotics
bill forwarded to the full Senate
District Committee for action
soon.
The narcotics measure gives
sweeping powers to law enforce
ment agencies here. Among
; other things. it gives authority
for arrest of drug addicts as
Migrants, and authorizes their
confinement.
Other House bills passed by
the House and sent to the Sem
|, ate would:
:. Authorize the District Com
missioners to permit restoration
of a gasoline filling station at
. Massachusetts, and Wisconsin
avenues NV, despite present
laws and regulations forbidding
such restoration.
Tax Exemption
Exempt the Octagon House OF
the American Institute of Archi-
tects and its other adjacent
property from District real estate
taxes.
Increase the limitation on ac-
lions to be transferred from the
United States District Court TO
Municipal Court from $1,000 10
$4,000, instead of limiting trans
fers to cases involving not more
than $1,000 and providing for
transfer only at the pre-trial
hearing, which is the stage inn
lmedlately preceding the actual
trial.
Authorize the eXtenson of
! District unemployment compen-
sation 10 employees of the munici-
pal government employed in city
institutions located in Maryland
and Virginia.
Reduce the license taxes on
automobile trailers. and provide
, that antique automobiles be sub
iect TO a tax Of only S. a year.
instead Of the annual icen g
/, fee based on weight levied on
newer cars.
Require that owners Of new