Evening star., 1934-12-12
MRSNORT0Nj0|NS
D. c. ANTtGAM|NG
LEGISLATIVE DRIVE
Promises to Introduce and
Work for Law Closing
LoophoIes.
VIEWS NOT CHANGED
ON LEGALIzATION
Representative Randolph Also to
Use Best Efforts in Support Of
Strengthening Measure.

District Committee Is ready to intro
duce and work for passage of a bill
drafted in the corporation counsels
Office to close loopholes in the anti
gambling law.
Mrs. Norton made it plain, however,
she is not backing up on her state
ment yesterday that personally she
believes in legalized gambling. She is
not, however, contemplating introduc-
ing a bill to legalize gambling in the
District.
She said today that as chairman Of
the District Committee she considers
it her duty to carry out in legislation
the will of the people.
Representative Randolph, Demo-
crat, of West Virginia. one of the
most active members on the District
Committee, also stated he will use his
best efforts in support of the measure
to strengthen the anti-gambling laws.
Mrs. Norton has received from David
Babp, recording secretary of the Fed
Grafton of Citizens Associations, a
copy of a resolution relating to the
gambling situation in the District, So
liciting Mrs. Norton's efforts in pro-
gram for better control over gam
bling.
Conference Planned.
Mrs. Norton said she is planning for
an early conference with E. Barrett
Prettyman, corporation counsel, and
some members of the District Commit
tee to go over a legislative program
for the District Committee in the in
coming Congress. Prettyman has ad-
vised Mrs. Norton preliminary drafts
are ready on a number of bills on
which he would like to have her sug-
gestionS.
Mrs. Norton has received several
letters both disapproving and approx
ing her statement Of her personal
views regarding gambling in the Dis
trict.
Wilbur La Roe, jr.. chairman of the
Committee on Civic Affairs of the
Washington Federation of Churches,
wrote her that this community was
shocked to read that you would legal
ize gambling"
This statement Is untimely," he
said, because the police. the district
attorney, the churches and the press
have been cooperating in the most
successful drive against gambling that
the District has ever known. Several
Of the big shot gamblers have left
town; one or two are under indict-
ment, and one is back in Jail. Not
for years have the big gamblers been
so much on the defensive.
Necessity of Law.
I'VE are gratified with your state
ment that you do not believe in gam
bling, but we do not derive much
encouragement from your statement
that the anti-gambling laws should
be repealed because of gambling con-
ditions. By the same token, we might
abolish the laws against murder and
the law against robbery because these
are continuing also.
please do not overlook the fact
that you have been elected to Con-
gress because you are regarded as
leader. In other matters you have
shown courage which is commenda-
BILE. If those whom the people have
chosen as their leaders surrender to
the criminals what will become of
the effort now being made through
out the Nation to stamp out crime?"
w. A. Roberts, 1885 Lawrence street
northeast, wrote to Mrs. Norton as
follows:
"It was with a feeling of consid-
cradle regret, after all the interest
you have taken in the affairs of the
District, to learn that you favored
leagnzing gambling. You state:
1--WE know that gambling exists;
why shut our eyes to it? No matter
what laws are enacted, it is going to
continue etc. Cannot the same
thing be said of stealing, murder,
ETC.? Are they to be legalized? What
we want to do is to get behind our
authorities and encourage them and
not get in front of them and block
their way.
1--WE have always felt very proud of
Washington as being a nice, clean,
home city. Let us not change that
condition. 1t seems quite clear to me
that there has been quite change for
the worse during recent months.
"Let us get back our old pride and
self respect"
Fanny E. Laycock, 1888 New Hamp-
shire avenue, sent a telegram to Mrs.
Norton, as follows:
Have noticed that you come for
ward always as advocate of the sane
idea regarding practically every form
of crime. 1t has always seemed to me
silly not to legalize gambling, since
those who wish to gamble will. Those
to whom the forbidden fruit is sweet
est wouldn't if it were legal. My COM
pliments and services if you can find
me useful"