New Britain herald., 1917-01-12
PUNCHBOARDS MAKE TROUBLE FOR OWNER
State Police Arrest Louis Conforti
 for Operating Gambling Device COURT IMPOSES $25 FINE

Chief Egan Hears Complaint That
 Boys Arc Allowed to Spend for
 Prizes-Arrested Trying to Break
 Into Saloon-On Two Committees. Louis Conforti, the police of New Britain and representatives of Chief Egan's department adding to his tribulations yesterday when they placed him under arrest on two charges. Louis misfortunes have been numerous during the past few months and the action of the author ities served as g climax to the opera tions of his Nemesis.
 New Britain officers ordered his ap- pearance in court in that city this morning for driving an automobile without having it equipped with a 1917 marker. MT. Conforu proved that he had ordered the plate, but through negligence or an oversight in the office of the secretary of state 1t was not mailed to him until last night, arriving in Plainville this morn lHS. lHo charge against HlHl was nolled on that account.
 State policemen descended on his confectionery store last evening and, finding punoh7board in operation, took him into custody for having gambling devices in his place. He was arraigned before Justice E. P. Prior and was fined $26 and costs.
 The state officers make periodical visits to PlainviIle. and occasionally nab the owners of some of the stores for having punch-boards. It is said that their visits are invariably in re- sponse to complaints made to the chief by certain local people who object to the devices principally because chil- dren are allowed to spend their money in an effort to get on of the various prizes offered.
 Tried to Enter Saloon.
 John Shay and Michael Sullivan are in the lookup awaiting arraignment before Justice B. P. Prior on charges of intoxication and breach of the peace. They were arrested this morn ing by Constable Downing and Rail- road Officer Charles Grace.
 The men, both of whom have been employed at the transfer station, tcok on cargoes of "joy water" to combat tho zero weather. They were badly under tho influence of liquor and when they attempted to enter Charles F. McCalrs cafe the door was closed on them. Shay tried to force his way in. Officer Downing saw him from the railroad station and ordered him away. Sullivan interfered ana both men were finally locked up, Of f1cer Grace coming to the assistance of the constable.
 On Two Committees.
 William Simpson, P1ainville's rep- resentative in tho general assembly, was appointed yesterday to serve on the shel! fisheries and the the state prison committees of the House. Both are fairly important committees and the Plainville man should have no complaint to make.
 Plainville seldom gets a great deal of recognition in the legislature and the committees to which MT. Simpson was appointed are of more importance than those to which most of his predecessors have been assigned.
 Win Two Out of Three.
 Basketball teams representing the l Plainville Young Mems club made a | good showing in the bargain night | exhibitions given in the Town hall last 1 evening, two of the quintets defeat Ing their opponents while the third live men went down to defeat
 In the star game the local boys forcing the Mohawk:- to take end of ] twenty eight to six score The visit prs were hopelessly outclassed and 'aced defeat from the beginning of the contest. The local boys were in fine orm and would have rolled up a arger score had not the inferiority 1