New Britain herald., 1927-11-30
HAD PUNCHb0ARDS; QUINTET ARE FINED State Police Sweep Stores and
 Make Five Arrests
 S@,0oo FOR CHRISTMAS
Trust Co. Mails Out Club Checks Legion to Sponsor Another Tree Catholic Social a Succcss-Changc Plan For Altering Crossing.

The state police swept through To cal business establishments yesterday afternoon in search of gaming de- vices, and five proprietors were found guilty and fined when they ap- peared in court before Justice Will liam Cunningham this morning. The quintet were Nullo Neri John Gel. lino. R. G. Hart, James Hayes, and David Kaufman, all of whom had been found in possession of punch boards. A penny-in-th -the-slot chance machine was also found at Ccllino's place at 11S Whiting street.
 Working mostly in pairs. seven state Officers in plain clothes visited practically every confectionery store or other business place where it was at all likely that such games oi chance would be found. Where they located these they played them and then arrested the proprictors.
 All five pleaded guilty when brought into court this morning. At torney Cornelius Prior entered the plea for his client. Nollo Neri, and said that the offense was a minor one. Grand Juror Charles, r. Con- lon, who prosecuted. agreed that the charge was not serious and rccom- mended fines of not more than s10, although the statutes allow penalties of Sl0O and a year in Jail.
 State Officer Pettinsill was called 10 testify in the Cellino case, which Prosecutor Conion considered more fragrant. The policeman said they had discovered four punchboards and a penny baseball game. where the player won something if he were lucky. T was unluCky,' he con- mented. Conlon said the authorities had received frequent orders to keep slot machines out of Plainville and that the storekeepers had been given ample warning.
 R. G. Hart said that his board at the Ideal bowling alleys had been installed yesterday morning and the arresting officer was the first man to punch it. James Hayes of Hayes &, Marine and David Kaufman had nothing to say.
 Justice Cunningham accepted the prosecutors recommendation and imposed a fine of sl0 and costs i'll each case. The costs came to III l.2S for each one, and a total of s1o6.4O changed hands in a few minutes. The officers in court this morning were Michael Smith. Foley. Pet tingill and Backicl.
 $2O,O00 For Christmas Csc
 The Plainville Trust Co. today mailed out about 700 checks total
 g $2O,000 to the members of its 1927 Christmas club. This is be lioved to be about s2ooo more than last year and means that the hoi- day will not be q cheerloss one in rlainville. The 1928 club will be opened about December Q.
 Legion to Sponsor Tree
 Brock Barnes post, American Le- zion. will sponsor another communi- ty Christmas tree this year, it was voted at it's regular meeting Mon day night. Last year the post led the way in providing such q tree through public subscription, but now it will finance the tree itself and will not request any aid from the public. The members wish the tree to be considered a community affair representing their wishes of Christ mas cheer to the boys and girls Of the town. The tree will again be placed on Legion park at Maple and Whiting streets.
 The Legion also voted to have It's house committee make several minor changes in it's house rules. Several members of the local post will at tend the Legion school at Middle