Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-06
CITIZENS INDIGNANT
DEMAND FOR ABOLITION OF AL
LEGGED OBJECTIONABLE RESORT.
Said to Afford Facilities
for Gaming and Drinking-Takoma
Council to Act.

The residents of Takoma Park are quite
indignant regarding the reported opening
of Wildwood Monday as a gambling and
drinking resort. AS result of the Increase
in attendance within the past day or two
at the resort two additional trolley cars
were put into service to handle the crowds.
The three cars in operation from the ter
minus of the Brightwood line. otherwise
known as the junction. a short distance
south of Carroll avenue. run at frequent
intervals, and by means of several switches
connected with the single track between
this point and Wildwood" the cars are kept
in operation continually.
Mayor j. B. Kinnear and members Of the
town council were piled with questions all
day yesterday as to what action would be
taken to abolish this nuisance. Mayor Kin
near, when seen by reporter of The Even
ing Star. said that there would be no meet
gested in a local paper, and said he had
not been interviewed upon the subject for
any paper.
This council" he said, lis going to put a
stop to the operation of the gambling re-
sort, and nothing will be left undone to put
it out of existence. Counsel has been en-
gagged to wage a war on lawlessness within
the corporate limits. and as soon as the
necessary ordinance Is drawn I'D and be-
comes law action will be taken to abate the
gambling and drinking features of this re-
sort. At the present time there is no ordi-
nance covering the operating of gambling
tables. but there Is a strict ordinance
against the sale Of intoxicating liquors of
any sort within the corporate limits.
prince Georges county has no authority
whatever over the question of selling in
toxicating liquors in the town, as by the
present charter the mayor and council of
% ri civ t1A yr{rytN< To nyG
upon such licenses"
Mayor Kinnear stated last night that no
such permit had been granted by Takoma
Park to the Wildwood management. April
1. 1901. an ordinance was passed by the
council prohibiting the sale of intoxicating
liquors. as follows:
Section mo person shall barter or sell
malt, fermented or spirituous liquor within
that portion of Takoma Park lying within
the limits of Prince Georges county Md.
Section 2-Any person violating the pro-
visions OF this ordinance shall upon con-
vlction be fined not exceeding $50 for each
offense, and in default of payment Of fine
imposed shall be imprisoned for a period
not exceeding thirty days or until such fine
is paid.
The Council Informed.
An executive session of the town council
was held Monday night at the conclusion of
the regular business meeting of the coun-
cussed by the mayor and members of the
council. Those present were informed that
the resort had been opened and that prepa-
rations had been made for the operation of
gambling and drinking resort An ord1-
nance was presented at the meeting cover
ing the gambling and operating of pool
rooms. but action could not be taken until
it had been passed upon by counsel. The
action of the Prince Georges county au-
thorities in granting liquor license to
W RI md oh in
dignatfon was expressed. especially in view
of the fact that vigorous protest had been
filed with the proper authorities.
April communication was forwarded
to Mr. James B. Belt, celrk of the circuit
court at Upper Marlboro, Nd, stating that
the mayor and council of the town of Ia
koma Park were in receipt of information
that the license for selling liquor at the
resort known as Wildwood" which lies
within the corporate limits of the town,
which license was granted to Mr.. c. Leland
Jackson, expired in May of the present
year. and that 1t was the desire and an
nOuncing the intention of the mayor and
council to insist upon a strict enforcement
of the law governing the sale of intoxicants
within the corporate limits, and concluded
by calling attention to the law on the sub
ject. which was quoted in the letter.
The letter, as is well known, did not have
the desired effect.
Wildwood is situated in the extreme
southeastern part of the corporate limits
of Takoma Park, in sparsely settled and
little improved portion of the town. 1t is
about one mile from the central part of
Takoma, situated in the most picturesque
part of Prince Georges county. It COM
prises hundreds of acres in the region Of
the Sligo, a beautiful stream. skirted by
shaded roads and paths. On both sides Of
the stream are rocky heights and large
bOulderS over which the waters leap in
miniatu re cascades.
The resort was originally established as
a high-class summer place for ptcnics and
pleasure parties from the city 1t was not
a success on account Of the poor car facil-
tiles, two changes being necessary before
arriving at Wildwood.
The resort includes a colonial log cabin,
which is used as depot and waiting room
grounds: private dining rooms, cafe, dane
ing pavilion. banquet hall. in addition to
the many amusement and gambling fea-
lures which are offered to the public.
improvements Noted.
The property was recently improved by
the present management by an outlay Of
over $3.50. in addition to the cost of the
licenses obtained within the past ten days
for the sum of 500. Recently several of the
buildings. including the hotel, have under
gone extensive improvements which cost
approximately several thousand dollars
Two wires have been connected with the
city, and the latest racing results are an
nounced on the grounds to it's patrons.
The property has become involved in
litigation.
The undesirable element which patronized
the Brightwood road yesterday to and from
the resort was the cause of bitter complaint
by the women who were obliged to travel in
the same car with the sports. Wives and
daughters Of prominent citizens of the town
were greatly embarrassed by the conduct
and language used by its patrons. At the
present time no fare Is charged for those
who frequent the resort on the line OF the
Baltimore and Washington Transit Com
pany's cars. The free passage is offered by
the managers of the place, 1t is said. as an
1nducement to increase patronage. num-
Der of prominent citizens who were ap-