Evening star., 1937-02-07
VOTES
STRONG PROTEST
TO RACING BILLS
Citizens Group Will Seek to
Block Measures Before
Congress.
PARKING BANS URGED
TO SPEED TRAFFIC
Action to Keep Main Arteries
Clear During Rush Hours
Is Advocated.

Overriding a small, but determined
minority, the Federation of Citizens
Association last night strongly pro-
tested passage Of bills, now before
Congress. to legalize horse racing in
the District.
Copies Of the resolution are to be
sent to the Senate and House District
Committees and laid before key"
members Of both Houses, under plans
announced by George E. Sullivan.
chairman Of the Laws and Legislation
Committee, who sponsored the move.
In another action the federation
urged the Commissioners to ban
parking. or the stopping and stand
ing" of trucks or vehicles during rush
periods on streets designated as
arterial highways. The move was
recommended by Harry S. Wender Of
the Safety Committee in revising
resolution Of the Petworth Citizens
Association.
DSD"sSo wa As<@Nhhes
Heated debate ensued over the rae
ing action. although the federation
previously had opposed similar legis-
lation.
The Sullivan resolution declared
the federation recognizes no sound
ness in any contention advanced in
favor of the bill. such as those that
it Is futile to afford any protection
against commercialized gambling or
that responsible taxpayers desire or
welcome raising of additional tax
funds from the victims Of COM
mercialized gambling as means OF
lessening their own burden"
Several Delegates opposed to the
racing bill, however, opposed inclusion
in the report of a quotation from an
1892 decision by q Tennessee court,
severely condemning gambling. but
they we're outvoted.
Sponsors Of the resolution held this
was a strong statement on the case
which could be used effectively in a
fight against the proposed legislation.
The opinion reads:
There is implanted in the nature Of
man an inclination to gamble, which
of all others is most difficult to bring
within restraints of law. Like other
passions which agitate the great mass
Of the community, it lies dormant
until once aroused, and then with
the contagion and fury Of pestilence.
it sweeps morals. motives to honest
pursuits and industry into the vortex
Of vice; unhinges the principles Of
religion and common honesty: the
mind becomes ungovernable. and is
destroyed to all useful purposes:
chances Of successful gambling alone
are looked to for prosperity in life,
even for the daily means of sub
sistence.
Gaming Called General Evil.
"Governments legislate to suppress
general evils, without reference to pos
sible or probable exceptions. Gaming,
as a general evil, leads to vicious in
destruction of morals, aban-
donment of industry and honest en-
ployment. a loss of self-control and
respect. Frauds. forgeries. thefts make
up the black catalogue of crime, the
closing scene of which generally ends
in highway robbery and murder"
Mrs. Elizabeth T. Sullivan, delegate
from the Progressive Citizens Asso-
citation. Of Georgetown, moved un.
that this be stricken from
he resolution.
A fight for the bill was led by
R. w. Hawkins and r. M. Darrah,
both Of the Benning Association.
Thousands are being wagered on
horse races each day." Hawkins said.
When is the federation going to help
US get some developments for our
section? You already have prevented
the Gobel abattoir. If you will not
let us have anything, why not cut our
section of from the District and give
1t back to Maryland?"
Names Horse Owners.
commissioner Hazen raises horses,
doesn't he?" Darrah argued. Don't
you suppose he places bet now and
then. Isn't he good man? And how
about Admiral Cary T. Grayson,
doesn't he ever place a bet? Aren't
they good people?"
William NICK. Clayton of Bright
wood promptly retorted: "I'll answer
that. If Hazen and Grayson bet on
bhe races. they are not good or great
because of that; they would be greater
men if they didn't.
Il don't believe the federation will
cloud its escutcheon by inviting the
'ace track operators, and the touts that
follow them, to come here to the Ma
'ional Capital" he added.
The Commissioners were urged to
make no change in the present regu-
lation providing for suspension of
permits of automobile drivers con-
victed of driving IS miles an hour or
faster in either the % or 30 mile
speed zones. It was recommended
hat the Commissioners reject a pro-
oosal by traffic advisers to permit a
speed of As miles an hour in the 30.
mile zones before permits may be sus-
pended.
Bill Amendments Urged.
Several amendments to the bill pro-
posing creation of a lunacy commits
sion to take over cases now tried be-
fore juries in District Court were
urged by the federation, which asked
that the amended measure be enacted.
Mrs. Marie F. Maddox of Colum-
oia Heights waged a strong but un-
fight to restate the measure
70 subjects Of lunacy hearings shall
oe given the right to jury trials, which
would have to be granted unless
waived in each case by the subject, or
MS legal spokesman. The bill now
provides for jury trials. upon request.
On motion by Wender, the fedora
ion urged speed in elimination of the
Bates road railroad grade crossing.
which now Is scheduled under Fed
.ral grant to the District