Evening star., 1934-12-25
ARRESTS FACING
"J|MMY'S" GANG #
GAMING PERSISTS
Prince Georges County Com
missioners Follow Watch
full Waiting Policy.
OPENING OF new PLACE
is REPORTED NIPPED
Authorities Unite in Drive and
Appeal for Support of Press
and Public.
A policy of watchful waiting was

A policy of watchful waiting was
being followed by the Prince Georges
County Commissioners today as they
reiterated their determination to end
organized gambling in the county.
Overnight developments in their
campaign to end the 20-year domina-
ton of the county by gambling in
terests were:
Discovery and subsequent closing of
q place on the Defense Highway where
Jimmy La Fontaine is said to have
moved after his regular stand" on
the Bladensburg road was closed as
a result of harassment by District
police.
Pledges Of 100 per cent support Of
the commissioners by States Attorney
Alan Bowie and Police Chief j. J.
Crowley.
An appeal by the commissioners for
the support Of the press and public.
Report Of Moving.
A few hours after Perry Boswell,
president Of the County Board. in
formed Chief Crowley of the commits
sioners' order to close all gambling
resorts In the county and keep them
closed, the commissioners received a
report that Jimmy" had moved to a
house on the Defense Highway.
They made an independent inves-
tigation, which, they said, disclosed
the new location was being used as
headquarters for the numbers game
of 1,a
been carried on at the Defense High
way site for several days, however, the
commissioners were told.
A house on the top of a hill about
2 miles from the Bladensburg War
Memorial Cross secluded by trees, was
used for the gambling. The property,
the commissioners discovered, be-
longed to an employe of La Fontaine's.
Shortly after the commissioners
completed their investigation, the
place closed voluntarily.
The commissioners made no effort
to hide their indignation at the gam
blers' effort to continue operation in
defiance of their order.
I'VE will continue our policy of
vatciful waiting awhile longer, but
If further defiance is manifest, there
will be drastic action. Some people
are likely to lose their jobs, some to
go to JAIL" one of the Commission
ers said.
I'VE cannot back down now" he
added. IT we do, all the lawbreak-
ers in Washington will move into the
county"
In announcing that members Of
the county police force would, as a
matter Of course, cooperate 100 per
cent" with the commissioner, Chief
Crowley said they likewise would
have co-operated with the Washing
ton authorities had they been asked
to do so.
Referring to the tearing down of
the fence around La Fontaine's by
District officials last Thursday and
the subsequent policy of "harass-
ment," Chief Crowley declared:
Maj. Ernest D. Brown of the
Washington force did not ask our
cooperation officially at any time.
His only request for assistance from
US came through the newspapers
Had he asked we would have given
MIN all the cooperation he wanted"
Crowley Makes Excuse.
Chief Crowley said it was "only
half true" that he had authority to
close "the place at the District line"
Il can only 60 there armed with the
proper papers" he said. otherwise,
II damage is done and no offense
proved, my bond is liable
States Attorney Bowie announced
he was glad to see the commissioners
1naugurate a campaign to clean I'd
gambling
I always have and always will give
my best cooperation to those who try
to enforce the law" he said.
Commissioner Boswell declared the
board members believe they face
hard fight" but will welcome COOP. d.
Grafton from the press and public in
their efforts.