Evening star., 1934-12-27
TWO INFLUENTIAL
LAWMAKERS BACK
ANTEGAM|NG BILL
Mrs. Norton and Represent
ative Randolph to Seek
Speedy Action.
BLANTON CLAIMS POLICE
PROTECTING GAMBLERS
Representative Demands Shake
up-Jimmy La Fontaine Prom
ises to Quit Racket.

Two influential members Of the
House District Committee today
pledged Themselves to support legis-
lation recommended by the District
Commissioners to stamp out the num-
bers racket in Washington by legis-
lation to give the police sufficient
weapons with which to carry out their
anti-gambling campaign.
Chairman Norton stated that when
the House organizes she will immedl-
ately introduce the Commissioners
bill aimed particularly at the num-
bers racket and will attempt to get
it favorably reported from the COM
mittee at the earliest possible date.
Representative Randolph, Democrat,
of West Virginia, who last session
was one of the most active members
of the District Committee, said he
will cooperate with Mrs Norton and
believes The I'LL will be passed early
in the session
Pledges Strong Support.
"An aroused public opinion in the
District will stanchly support the
District Commissioners on this legis-
latlon and viii be effective in ridding
the National Capital OF this unwhole-
some condition" he said Il am
heartily IN accord with the Commits
sioners' plan and I intend to inter-
est as many Of my colleagues as pos
sible in carrying out the will of the
people 10 get rid of gambling"
Chairman King of the Senate Dis
trict Committee also has reiterated
his intention Of introducing bill
early in the session to put teeth"
in the gambling law here.
Il will introduce the bill the very
first day or at least the very first day
on which introduction of bills is per-
mitted. Then, if possible, I will call
a meeting of my committee that day,
report out the bill and press for its
passage by the end of the first week
of the session." Senator King said.
Palmisano Held Up Bill.
The bill is similar to one passed last
session by the Senate, but was not re-
ported out by the House District Com
mittee.
Representative Palmisano Democrat
of Maryland, ranking majority men,
ber on the House District Committee.
declined to comment on the proposed
gambling bill explaining that he
wanted to study it before making
known his views.
At the last session of Congress,
Palmisano as acting chairman of the
District Committee, held up the anti
gambling bill, saying he believed some
Of its provisions were too drastic
The new bill is one in a 10-point
program of legislation for the District
adopted yesterday by the District
Commissioners, to be submitted to
Chairmen King and Norton.
Prettyman and King Confer.
Corporation Counsel j. Barrett
Prettyman, who drew up the program,
this afternoon will confer with Sen
ator King, and they are expected to
discuss ways to expedite the program.
Blanton Accuses Police.
Accusing members of the police de-
partment with protecting gamblers
and other law violators, Representa-
tive Blanton. Democrat. of Texas to-
day demanded that the Commissioners
and police officials remove them i'm
mediately.
Blanton made his statements in
writing in response to a written uues-
tion.
Il congratulate the authorities and
the press for the campaign now being
Waged to enforce the law against lot
teries and other gambling. 1t has been
openly violated long enough. 1 had
been wondering just how much longer
our Commissioners would stand for it.
This numbers racket, if permitted
to continue, would constitute nothing
less than legalized robbery. 1t takes
tribute from thousands of ignorant
people. They haven't as much chance
to win as they would have playing
against craps table with loaded
dice, or against a poker table with
cold deck of stacked cards 1t
should have been stopped long ago
by court injunction.
Suggests Police Shake-up.
mo open gambling in violation of
law can continue long without police
protection. Our Commissioners and
our Metropolitan Police Department
should devise some system that will
definitely determine what officers and
men on the force are granting pro-
lection to violators of the Law. not
only with respect to gambling, but
as to all violations. and remove such
offenders Immediately.
Il heartily commend the authori-
ties and press here for their cam
paign."
Meanwhile Prince Georges County,
Md, authorities, informed personally
by Jimmy La Fontaine. that he had
closed his gambling establishment on
Bladensburg road. today turned their
attention to two other places, said to
be operated by his rivals.
Both resorts are in the lower part
OF the county. Less elaborate and
not nearly so well known as the
notorious Bladensburg road establish
ment, which operated almost con-
tinuously for 20 years, they are said
to be backed by "big-time gamblers,
well known to Washington police
During a trip to Hyattsville late
yesterday, La Fontaine is reported to
have promised not to attempt to
operate any more in the county.
Place Is Inspected.
Last night Chief of Police J. J.
crowley, accompanied by two OF his
men, made sure that La Fontaine had
complied with the County Commis-
sioners' order by inspecting the Bla-
densburg road resort. They reported
the place deserted except for two
caretakers and said no gambling de-
vices were in evidence They made
a similar report after inspecting an
other place on Defense Highway also
said to have been backed by La Fon-
taine.
A detail of county police under
Sergt. A. w. Hepburn is keeping the
two lower county resorts under close
surveillance. No elaborate gambling
devices are said to be operating in