Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-05-13
Outright Repeal
Is Advocated
By Kronheim
BY EMERSON BEAUCHAMP

BY EMERSON BEAUCHAMP
Municipal Court Judge Milton
s. Kronheim. jr.. today called
the District punishment statute
a "monstrous" law and urged
Congress to repeal it.
Appearing before a House Dis
trict subcommittee considering
two amendments to the garnish-
ment law, Judge Kronheim
headed several witnesses who
advocated varying changes in
the District law. He was the only
one, however, who went so far
as to advocate abolishing attach
ment of salaries.
/ The bill, backed by Judge
Kronheim was introduced by
Representative Dowdy, Democrat
Of Texas. 1t would not affect TIN
garnishment of other assets, such
as savings accounts. These still
could be attached.
The other witnesses, including
Chief Municipal Court Judge
Leonard p. Walsh and spokes-
man for the District Commits
sioners. supported another bill
which would limit garnishments
to 10 per cent Of a salary.
Calls Bill Too Drastic
Judge Walsh, speaking for the
other judges on the court. told
the committee:
I'VE feel Mr.. Dowdy's bill is
too drastic. We believe it would
deny many people the onportu-
nifty to purchase.
But he strongly backed the 10
per cent bill. introduced by Rep
resentative Mcmillan, Democrat
of South Carolina.
He said the Mcmillan bill
would be beneficial to both credi-
tors. and debtors and would cut
down the work load in Municipal
Court resulting from garnish-
ments.
The Star disclosed last April z
that about $500 garnishments
are filed in the court every
month. Judge Walsh used this
figure and added that garnish-
ments account for about half Of
all work done in the office of
the clerk Of the civil division.
Judge Kronheim, a frequent
critic of the punishment situa-
ton here. called the Mcmillan
bill. "a must" but said he pre-
ferred the Dowdy bill.
A "Monstrous' Law
The punishment statue, he
charged, has become a NOM
lstrous law which has resulted in
widespread exploitation of the
poor. the uneducated and% The
underpriyileged."
In many cases, Judge Kron.
helm declared, debtors lose their
Jobs and 60 on relief, adding to
the burden of District taxpayers.
If the law is repealed" Judge
Kronheim said, "the retailers will
conduct their business in a more
orderly manner and a large seq
ment OF our people in the District
will revert to buying what they
actually need and are able to
paw for"
Robert F. Kneipp, assistant
corporation counsel, told the SUBJ
committee the Commissioners in
dorse the 10 per cent bill and
oppose the Dowdy bill. The
seem to feel" he said, "tha.
creditors should be able to reach
some of a debtors property"
The president of the District
Bar Association. Thomas M. Ray
SCR, Endorsed the Mcmillan bill
but said his group has not studied
the Dowdy bill thoroughly enough
to take a position on it.
| The Mcmillan bill was drafted
by a bar association subcommit-
tee headed by Joseph H.
Schneider.
| James A. Wiley, chairman of
the bar associations Municipal
Court Committee, said the per-
centage statute is law in a Sub.
stantial number" of States.
Other witnesses included:
Jack Cockrell, executive secre-
tary Of the Washington Restau-
rant Association. who said there
is a definite need for corrective
legislation" but requested more
time to file a statement.
Opposes Dowdy Bill
Alvin j. Steinberg, president
of the Capital Credit Corp, who
backed the 10 per cent bill and
opposed the Dowdy bill.
John L. Schroeder, represent
ing the Metropolitan Business
Mems Association. which opposes
both bills.
George Linkins, of the WASH
ington Real Estate Board. who
supported the Mcmillan bill.
Daniel I. Sherry, an attorney
who said he represented fuel oil
companies and jobbing plumbers
and electricians. He supported
the Mcmillan bill but said he
might recommend that there be
mo exemption from punishment
beyond a certain salary figure.
Statements were filed by the
District Trucking Association,
which favors the Mcmillan bill,
and the District Banking Asso-
citation, which opposes both bills.
Chairman Abernethy, Demo-
crat Of Mississippi, said at least
one more hearing will be held
and possibly two or three more.
No date was set.