Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-02-16
COMMITTEE OF
FIVE PERSONS
IS APPOINTED

The committee of five persons, re-
Gently appointed by Governor Herbert
r. O'Conor to consider modification
of too rigid enforcement of that sec
ton of the liquor law which forbids
any person convicted of violating any
provision of the anti-gambling laws
from getting or renewing a liquor
license, has fixed March LIST as the
final date when applications for con-
sideration will be received from per-
sons affected, it is stated by State
Parole Director Herman M. Moser,
chairman of the committee.
Other members of the committee
are. C. Delano Ames, of the Liquor
License Board; James M. Hepbron,
managing director of the Baltimore
Criminal Justice Commission; w. Gin
ton McSherry of the State Liquor APP
peal Board and j. DeWeese Carter,
Caroline county attorney.
Mr.. Moser states:
GAS the result of recent legisla-
tive enactment prohibiting the renew
al of liquor licenses to applicants who
have been adjudged guilty of certain
violations of the law within period
of five years, the Governor appointed
committee to see if it were possible
to prevent a hardship resulting on
otherwise deserving persons.
"The committee further decided
of March LIST as the final date appli-
cations for consideration will be re-
ceived from persons affected by the
passage of this law. The date of
March LIST is not an arbitrary one,
but ties in with tie work of various
liquor license boards and commissions
throughout the State.
"The committee further recided that
communications be addressed to its
secretary, Mr.. James M. Hepbron, %
Light Street, Baltimore, Md, in writ
ing setting forth in detail the circum-
stances surrounding the conviction
and the reason why the applicant feels
he or she is entitled to receive execu-
tive clemency.
"When he appointed this commit
tee, Governor O'Conor explained that
in some cases operators of pin-ball
or similar devices, who submitted to
test cases to determine whether these
machines were gambling devices with
in the prohibition of the law, would
be barred from renewing their liquor
licenses next May.
CAT that time, the Governor said:
4 have conferred with enforcement
officials and they have described cases
in which they feel that an injustice
will be done if certain licenses are re-
fused renewals. They urge my con-
sideration of this question because
they believe these persons are essen
tally law-abiding and they fear that
undesirable persons might supplant
those now holding licenses, and abid-
ing by regulations.
I'm certain of these cases refer
red to- the Governor further said, the
licensees submitted to test cases in
order that the courts might determine
whether pin-ball, claw machines, etc.,
were in contravention of law. I am
requesting a group of five persons to
consider any such cases, with view
of determining the ACCESSIBILITY and
propriety of my granting pardons to
any licensees who think they are de-
serving
cit is obviou therefore," Mr.. O'Con-
or concluded, "that the primary func-
ton of the committee is to pass on
those cases arising out of technical con
victions of otherwise deserving and
respectable license holders or appli-
carts for licenses who were convict
ed in test cases to determine the prop
er Interpretation of certain gambling
laws"