Evening star., 1924-07-17
D. c. MAN|S HELD
IN GAMBLING RAID
Accused of Running Maryland
Athletic Club, Formerly
Jimmie's Place.
DICE AND CHIPS SEIZED
County Official Accused of Failure
to Properly Enforce Law.
Probe Is Ordered.

Armed with two warrants Con-
stable Andrew Gasch and a raiding
party entered the Maryland Athletic
and Social Club" formerly known as
"Jimmie's Place" across the District
line, on Bladensburg road, late last
night and arrested a man who said
he is Charles Schweitzer and who
said he, was in charge. They also
confiscated some of the athletes So
cial paraphernalia in the way of dice,
poker chips and cards and unearthed
serious complaint against d county
law officer for alleged nonfeasance
and malfeasance in office. About 75
men were in the place at the time.
The warrants. sworn to before JUS
tice of the Peace Herbert ]. Moffat
of Hyattsville by w $ Allen. who
gave his address as 127 18th street
southeast, charged James La Fon-
taine and Edward Stamb with setting
up gaming table in violation of the
Maryland gambling laws. Neither La
Fontaine nor Stamb appeared to be
among those present last night how
ever, and the warrants are now in
the hands of Justice Moffat who said
today he intends to see that they are
served.
Schweitzer, said to reside at the
National Hotel, was taken to the
home of Justice Moffat last night and
later released on $1,000 bond furnish
ed by Frank Mace. He waived pre-
nmlnary hearing and a charge of
setting up gaming table lodged
against him by the raiders will be
tried at Marlboro at the October term
of court.
The complaint regarding lack of
cooperation and improper proposals
made to Allen by d well known Off
clal OF the county who did not take
part in the raid last night were aired
before Justice Moffat. The latter said
today that the allegations are so
serious that they must be brought to
the attention of State Attorney Alan
Bowie at Marlboro. Mr.. Bowie was
in Baltimore today and could not be
reached in this connection.
Offered TO Get Money Back.
Allen told Justice Moffat that the
official referred to had shown per
sistent inclinations to avoid taking
any. action against the alleged
gambling resort, and that when he
told the officer that an acquaintance
whom he named had lost at the place
s40O that belonged to him (Allen),
the official offered to get the S400
back for him, providing he gave the
officer 800 for his trouble"
states AllOTIeS bO"le, Justice
Moffat declared, is determined to
stamp out the gambling evil in
Prince Georges County. There are
other places of a suspicious char
acter, he said which will be
Il have given instructions to the
law enforcement officers here 10
raid Jimmie's Place every night. if
necessary, in order to drive the place
out of operation. We will not toler-
ate this thing any longer"
Raid Carefully Planned.
The raid last night had been care
fully planned. Evidence had been
sought On several evenings previ-
ously. Justice Moffat explained that
Allen assisted greatly in obtaining
the necessary evidence leading up to
the raid. Allen, he said, had gone to
the place himself after the losing of
the $500 and had asked those in
charge to help him get back the
money which, he said, had been stolen
from him and squandered at Jim
mics. He received no satisfaction
and then went to the law officer.
Appealing to Justice Moffat.
sworn enemy of the gambling ring.
Allen arranged to pay the place a
in the guise of members of the
CLUB" He and his friends will tes-
tify that they played at the gaming
table in Jimmie's place ard won and
lost Friday night last Allen at
tempted again to enter the place, but
young man on the door gave the
alarm, and scores of guests" piled
out of the house pellmell.
Raid Comes as Surprise.
Last night Allen, with Gasch and
nearly score of assistants. descend
ed on the place with movie-like
stealth. As the party entered pande-
monium broke loose. Poker hands
were dropped to the tables it is al
legged. dice tables were overturned
and poker chips rained on the floor
Schweitzer, young man who said
he lived at 1923 Meridian place, an
nounced that he was in charge last
night and prevailed on the raiders to
allow the guests" to depart quietly
with a promise that he would pro-
duce them all when required
slip of paper containing a list of
penciled names in tabulated form, 25
names in all, was taken as part of the
evidence