New Britain herald., 1924-12-27
JUDGE WILL DECIDE
 MINT VENDORS FATE
Reserves Finding in Auto- matic Machine Case for
 One Week

Whether automatic vending ma chimes for gum and hints will be al- lowed to remain in this city or not may be determined by the decision in the case Of Samuel Block of PA North street, which was argued in the police court this morning and continued until next Saturday by Judge William c. HungeIford. At the conclusion Of the arguments pre- sented by Prosecuting Attorney Jo- seph G. Woods and Attorney George w. Klett, representing Block, Judge Hungerford said that a good deal seemed to hang on this case and de- sired more time to study 1t atten- lively.
 A Waco" vending machine taken from Blocks store on North street was exhibited in court. Sergeant Pa trick McAvay and Officer Thomas c. Dolan testified that on December 23 they entered Blocks store and play cd the machine. At first there were no hints in it, but when notified of this Mrs. Block reflled it. Prosecu- tor Woods brought out that the ma chine did not always give as many trade coupons as it indicated, and Do'an showed that when the indi- cator registered eight" only four tokens were elected and the others came on the following throw.
 Officers Patrick O'Mara said that he had discovered this defect when operating the machine while in the police station. Attorney klett pro- tested that this had happened since Blocks arrest and that the machines behavior since that event should not be admitted. Judge Hungerford overruled the objection, saying that he was testing the character of the machine.
 Officer Dolan, upon questioning by MT. klett, admitted that his wife had had a similar machine of a diff ferent make in her news stand for one day when he had ordered it taken out He denied any determin- alton to get the Waco company in particular, and Judge Hungerford stopped this line of questioning as immaterial.
 NJ. I. Klein. connected with the manufacturing company, testified that the machines faulty behavior was due to a temporary defect and said that if a user did not receive the proper amount of coupons from the machine he could get them from the owner of the store where the mechanism was,
 In summing up, Prosecutor Woods read from the report of similar case tried in New Jersey and com pared the vendor to roulette wheel while MT. Klctt said there was no chance involved and thought the comparison had better be made with gas meter. Judge Hungerford re- served decision, Mir klett asked per mission 10 submit a brief, and the case was continued until next Satur- day.
 The case Of Herbert Swarsky of North street. who was arrested for using Blocks vendor and charged with gaming, was' also continued until next Saturday.
 Charles Petcigal of IF Henry street, arrested last night by Officer Anthony WalenCzius, following a complaint that there was trouble at that address. was arraigncd on charges of drunkenness and breach of the peace. He was given five days on each count, sentence being suspended on condition of good be- havior in the future.
 Theodore Lass of 1S6 West street was charged with disturbing and breaking the peace, his wife testify ing that he struck her in the fore head. She exhibited a scar on her left temple. Lass denied striking her, but admitted pushing. He ac- cusod his wife of not properly car ing for himself and the children and said that his poor health made mm easily angcrcd. Judge uungerfOrd suspended judgment and put the couple on probation for three months.
 Joseph Szefel of 40 Grove street pleadedg uilty 10 charge of selling liquor and keeping liquor with in tent 10 sell. Officers Thomas Feeney and William O'Mara testified that they had broken in the door of his place at v Grove street and the door Of a back room in the estab- lishmcnt and had found him pour ing liquor down the sink. They said that the place had the worst reputation of any in the district and that there had been four owners in the past three months. Szcfel had nothing 10 say, and Judge Hunger ford imposed a fine of s250 and costs
 The cases Of F. M Butholtz and Mrs. Stella Savitsky, both of 10 Gold street. arrested on February 22 on a charge Of misconduct, were nolled after having been continued several times from the time of the arrests until thr prprept