Evening star., 1932-04-27
GAMBLING HOUSE
! CLOSING IS URGED
Prince Georges Grand Jury
+ Also Asks Dismissal of
Unfit Policemen.
By a stat, Correspondent of The Star.

UPPER MARLBORO, Md, April 81.
The permanent closing Of Jimmie La
Fontaine's alleged gambling establish
ment on Bladensburg road, removal Of
law enforcement officials who are not
physically, mentally and morally quail
fed for their position, and elimination
of the causes Of friction between the
sheriff's Office and county police force,
were the high spots in list of recon-
mendations submitted by the April
grand jury in its report yesterday.
Declaring the jury has been advised
that "a certain gambling establishment
on Bladensburg road, commonly known
as Jimmie La Fontaine's,' has been
closed, the report demands that all
persons obligated to uphold the law Of
Prince Georges County keep said gam
bling place closed for all time"
The jury's demand is regarded as
particularly timely in view Of persist
ent rumors that the establishment will
reopen next month.
Urge Closing Of Other Places.
Referring to other gambling places
and road houses. which I'VE have rea-
son to believe exist in our county at
this time" the jurors strongly urged"
the officers to bring about the closing
of such places and the conviction of
their proprietors, pointing out that this
work is in line with their sworn obli-
cations"
Its investigation of certain cases in
dicated there was "a laxity of duty on
the part of constables, members of the
sherih's Office and members of the Po-
lice Department" when probing law
violations, the report stated.
This negligence, the jurors declared,
was, in their opinion, "due principally
to lack Of proper training and often
because Of mental and physical in
ability"
The report recommended that those
officers who are not, in the opinion Of
the court or the States attorney. con-
Quoting their investigations properly or
making the necessary arrests to war
rant conviction, be replaced by per-
sons properly qualified. 1t also recon-
mends that only those who are honest,
mentally active, and physically fit be
selected to enforce the law.
Should Seek Legal Advice.
"No other influence should have any
part in the appointment of officers, for,
without strong Police Department, the
work of the grand 1uries, courts or
other agencies is lost" the report said.
With a view to more efficient law en-
forcement the jury recommended that
all county officers, including magistrates,
call upon the States attorney for legal
advice.
It also called attention to the fact
that county police might have access
to a training school conducted by the
State commissioner of motor vehicles,
fif such a request is made by the county
commissioners" but the jury made no
recommendation on this score.
IN deploring the fact that there Is
considerable friction" between the
police force and sheriff's Office, the jury
recommended that the sheriff and
chief of police "take steps to remove
the cause or causes Of that friction, II,
as we are led to believe, they have
knowledge Of the disturbing element.
An unusual feature of the report
was an appeal to our citizens" which
called upon the residents OF the county
to show a proper respect for all laws
and expressed the belief that better re-
suits could be secured if the citizens or
the county would help the law enforce
rlent officers.
Police Department Praised.
The jury commended the police de-
partment for its efforts as evidenced by
a report from Chief j. j, Crowley that
829 cases had been handled between
October l, 1881, and April l, 1892.
Action by the deputy game warden
of the county to prevent dogs running
at large and destroying young game
out of season was requested in the
report.
An addition to the county Jail, to
care for inmates suffering from con-
tagious diseases, was recommended.
Sanitary conditions, heating and food
at the jail were described as good. Rec
concentrations regarding the county
aims house were contained in a supple
mental report submitted by committee
of the jury, consisting Of Bernard F.
Brown, Raymond B. Walker, r. Plum
mer Phibbons, Vernon o. Arnold and
Arthur B. Campbell.
heard 1913 cases, examined 240 wit
nesses, returned 95 indictments, ignored
26 cases and continued one.
Pay Tribute to Han.
The report pays tribute to the
memory of Summerfleld D. Hall, late
clerk of the Circuit Court, who died
ON the first day Of the current court
term, and expresses the jury's appre-
citation of the assistance given 1t by
States Attorney Alan Bowie, his sec
retary, and other court officials. 1t
was signed by A. H. Seidenspinner,
foreman, and Earl w. Phelps, secre-
tary, of the jury.
In discharging the jurors, Judge
Joseph c. Mattingly lauded their work
and reminded them that they may be
recalled should an emergency arise.