Evening star., 1939-03-25
THE EVENING WASHINGTON, 25

Other Measures
Would Also Permit
GombIine Machines
~ star corrsspondent Of The Star.
ANNAPOLIS. March 25.-Retail
whisky dealers appeared today to
have won their 11ght to open Prince
Georges County to Sunday liquor
sales, = move calculated to bring
them rich harvest through patron
age from Washington, where the
whisky business is ut . standstill
on the Sabbath.
The bill to permit Sunday sales
and another which legalizes the
operation Of slot and pin-ball ma
chines-was introduced by the House
delegation from Prince Georges q
short time before the deadline for
introduction Of bills fell in the State
Assembly last night.
Bill Would Legalixe Bingo.
Bingo and similar games of chance
also would be legalized under an.
other Prince Georges measure pre-
sented at the behest Of fire depart.
ments and other county organiza-
tions which rely upon those forms
Of gambling for . large portion Of
their revenue through benefits"
Members Of the Prince Georges
delegation said today they decided
to introduce the measure 1egalizing
Sunday liquor sales. although they
had "only q short time to consider
the question" because of the ap-
preaching deadline. They added
they will determine whether they
will push the measure through to
enactment before it is reported back
to the House by the Ways and Means
Committee.
However, representatives of the
Prince Georges County Retail LIQUOR
Dealers Association appeared here
some time ago and asked that the
bill be introduced and said thev
would be willing to pay $3.50 more
each year for their licenses If per-
mitted to remain open on Sunday.
Under the bill, holders of class B
on-sale beer. wine and LIQUOR Ii
censes would be privileged TO sell
any and all alcoholic beverages on
Sunday by paying an additional
$3.50 annually. This would raise the
fees for class B on-sale licenses to
$3.50 year when dealers desire to
engage In Sunday business. At pres
ent all stores. cocktail lounges and
saloons are required to remain closed
between 2 am. Sundays and 6 am.
Mondays.
Proceeds from licensing slot and
pin-ball machines-legislation re-
quested by the county commission
ers at their meeting this week
would be used to help reduce taxes
on real estate in Prince Georges
and 1t is estimated that the fees
Will produce approximately $4,000
a year.
Distributors would be required to
pay 5000 annual licensing fee,
while an additional fee of SITS a
machine also would be charged as
an ownership levy. Distribution
without a license would constitute
q mlSdemeanor with q 5000 fine ar
imprisonment for one year or both
IN the discretion of the court, pro-
vlded for violations.
The bill would require that onlv
domestic corporations, IS per cent
OF whose stockholders are bona fide
residents Of Maryland and residents
OF Prince Georges County, could
obtain licenses.
Bars Minors.
1t further stipulates that no per-
son under 81 years Of age shall be
permitted to play such machines
and a fine of 800 for violation of
this section as well as all other Sec
tions OF the measure except that
pertaining to unlicensed distribu-
ton.
The bingo bill is required to save
that and similar games from being
outlawed along with numbers, lot
teries and other games barred in
other legislation before the State
Assembly. However, it would not
permit bingo and similar games to
be conducted by professional gam
bling interests.
1t would permit any organized
group Of citizens or incorporation,
including fire departments, chari-
table, religious, benevolent. patri-
otic, educational, fraternal or civic
groups to conduct the games when
the proceeds 60 to promotion of
those associations objectives.
1t Is provided, though, that a per-
NIT to hold benefit events at which
the games are operated must first
be obtained from the county COM
missioners; that members of the Or
ganizations must personally operate
the games and that prizes for any
game must not exceed $40 in cash
or merchandise. Penalties are pro-
vided for conducting the games at
any affair for which a permit has
not been secured from the commits
sioners. The bill calls for fine not
to exceed $1,000 or Imprisonment
for not more than one year for vio-
lations.
Included among the games which
would be lawful are bingo, games of
skill, auction, voting and those in
volving mechanical devices such as
paddle wheels, wheels Of fortune