Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-09-18
"J|MMY'S PLACE
REPORTED OPENED
Commissioners. Claim No
Gambling D. C. Police
Harassment ThWarted.

"Jimmy's place" erstwhile gambling
establishment. which has had hectic
open-and-shut existence in recent
wears. appears to have opened its
guarded doors again despite county
ban on its gaming operations.
Enhanced by a fine new macadam
driveway on the Maryland side of the
District line, the officially licensed
TRADING. lunch room and cigarette
stand" past rendezvous for Washing
ton gamblers. now is safe from harass-
ment by District of Columbia authori-
ties.
Local police embarrassed the Sc
Guided staff and patrons last Deem
Der by tearing down tall Signboard
fence and exposing the rambling old
frame house to public view from the
District side. The screen was removed
to make way for extension of Eastern
avenue to BladenSburg road.
Restraining Order Issued.
Right on top Of that annoyance
the Board Of Commissioners of Prince
Georges County issued an order per-
manently restraining La Fontaine or
any one else from conducting gam
bling house on the premises.
The gambling place has been as
ISOLATED with the name of La Fontaine
for many years. La Fontaine spent
Sc DAYS in Jail early in 1882 and paid
TO the Bureau of Internal Revenue
some 100000 in income taxes and
penalties. The Jail term originally
had been fixed at nine months. after
he had pleaded guilty to income tax
evasion. but lenienCy was extended
when physicians said his health was
seriously impaired
The owners of "Jimmy'S place met
the Washington campaign of haraSs-
mentor such 1t waS-by turning
their backs on the city building an
other high screen just outside the
District line and constructing new
entrance entirely in Maryland. This
gracefully curving road was COM
pleted the past Summer at what must
have been considerable expense.
Shortly after its completion rumors
reached the ears of the county COM
missioners that JimmyS place had re-
opened. The commissioners promptly
embarked on a sightseeing tour tt
the place, picking up three police
officers en- route They we're received
courteously by one Francis slippery
McGuigan. who readily showed his un.
announced guests through all but three
rooms of the three-story house. HI
explained ne didn't have the keys t
the locked rooms.
See No Gambling.
The commissioners saw no gambling
during their hour -and-a-half visit, al.
though they saw large Blackboard
and a pile Of tables and cf~rs. Ir
an ante-room they found a counter
containing race track slips Severa
months old and a battery of discon-
nected telephones,
During the tour the officials were
introduced to young man who said
he was Mr. La Fontaine's nephew
The commissioners we're satisfied that
their injunction was being obeyed and
left without further action.
Recently, however. there have been
recurring reports OF renewed activities
at Jimmys Place. These reports APP
parently arose as a result of the COM
ings and goings of men by day and
night, via the new private road,
To check on these reports, The Star
stationed reporter to observe the
place He confirmed the reports as to
resumption OF some kind Of business
at Jimmys old stand
The new driveway extends in an arc
from the northwest corner of the
fenced-in grounds to the Bladensburg
road several hundred yards beyond the
District line. A professional road crew
with steam roller and other road
building equipment, constructed the
road.
A sign warns trespassers that they
are on private road" and that tres
passing is taboo. A stop" sign. not
of official status. halts motorists leav-
ing the establishment to enter Bla-
densburg road. County records fail
to disclose issuance of any permit for
construction of the road-but officials
say a permit was not required.
Supt. of Police Ernest w. Brown
said today there is nothing local police
can do about it if Jimmy's has re-
opened, as the establishment now is
wholly within the borders of Mary
land