Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-13
POLICE CORRUPTION
SHIELDS GAMBLERS,
OFFICIALS ARE TOLD
Prince Georges Commission
ers Quiz States Attorney
and Sheriff.
RAIDS ARE TIPPED OFF
TO OPERATORS OF PLACE
Parran Admits Place Probably
Exists, but Tells of Difficulties
in Way of Prosecution.
BY a staff Correspondent of The Star.

BY n staff Correspondent of The Star.
UPPER MARLBORO, Md, August
ia written complaint that the oper-
alton of a notorious gambling establish
ment on the Bladensburg road has been
possible during the past 10 years
through the general corruption of
police officers and others charged with
law enforcement will be presented to
the october grand jury, States Attorney
J. Frank Parran promised the Prince
Georges County commissioners yester-
day, after he and Sheriff Charles S.
Early were quizzed by the commissioners
concerning the accusation.
The States attorney admitted during
the quiz that, because of public report,
he believed such an establishment to be
in existence, but explained that repeated
efforts to prosecute the alleged pro-
prietor had failed either because wit
nesses could not be compelled to appear
or because enough evidence could not BE
obtained to secure an indictment from
the grand jury.
"Tip-OffS" Invariably Received.
In spite of the utmost precautions, he
told the commissioners, the operators of
the establishments had invariably re-
ceived "tip-off" whenever officers Wis
tied the premises, and Sheriff Early con-
CURED in his statements.
DR.. Harry M Bowen, acting chair
man of the board, suggested that off,
GERS be stationed around the premises
in an effort to find out just what took
place, but the sheriff declared this
had been done without success.
The extraordinary public quiz of the
sheriff and States attorney by the
commissioners followed receipt by them
OF letter from Charles B. Calvert,
Mount Rainier attorney, stating he had
recently specifically complained to the
sheriff, States attorney and several
police officers about the gambling es-
tabliShment, without result. In re-
spcnse to Calverts complaint, Parran
told the commissioner he had invited
Calvert to present his evidence to the
piled: Is that your conception of your
duty?"
Athletic Club Guise Charged.
In his letter, Calvert called the COM
missioners to task for the existence of
the gambling establishment, telling
them 1t was their duty, under the con-
stitution, as the governing body of the
county, Ito enforce the law as far as
possible, to appoint constables and
supervise places of amusement subject
to business licenses" The gambling
house, Calvert declares, operates in the
guise of an athletic club, and as such
buys business license.
ut is a matter of public comment
that If the police force were under the
Jurisdiction OF the county commission
ers more effective law enforcement
would result" he declared. TT is a
matter of record, however,, he added,
that your body so far has done moth
ing to evidence any sincere tpurpose In
that direction"
Threatens Election Accounting.
Calvert said he was complaining in
the name of all law-abiding citizens
of the county, whom he claimed had
right to expect more definite per-
Torrance of duty from the commits
sioners and might call upon some of
them for an accounting in the ensuing
''t The attorney Incidentally told the
commissioners two employees of the
gambling establishment were held for
the action of the grand jury last week
for statutory offense against wom-
an in a roadhouse that was still per-
mitted to operate, in spite of serious
shooting affair some months previous,
which, he said, was never effectively
prosecuted.
He also complained against a road
house on the Marlboro pike, and de-
plored the lack of action in regard to
charges of the existence of bonding
racket" in the county, as called to the
officials attention by Gov. Richie
After reading the letter to the sheriff
and States attorney DR.. Bowen char
acterized it as the most serious COM
plant received by the commissioners
during his term of office.