Evening star., 1941-12-07


fore her on charges of lootlng the
parking meters was to get money TO
play the pinball machines.
"We have found Judge Bentley
continued, that the pinball places
have lured youngsters away from
the healthy influence of BOYS and
girls clubs. There has been enough
evidence that these pennylands ex-
erciSe vicious influence on minors,
and feel they should be done away
with if our children are TO be so
vitally affected"
AT the moment free games" are
the reward for skill with the plunger
IN the pinball games One dlstrlb-
utor sought permission from District
Attorney Curran not long ago 10
issue machines which would pay off
in United States Defense stamps, but
the offer was turned down.
Fate OF the pinbalI games is in
the HANDS OF special subcommittee
OF the Commissioners regulations
board consisting of Assistant Supt.
OF Police Harvey Callahan. Assistant
Corporation Counsel John ODea
and Assistant United States Attor-
ney Allen KrouSe. The subcommit-
tee will act on the findings of the
investigators.
Mr.. Curran said Assistant District
Attorney John w. Fihelly was in
charge of his investigation. He
added that he would assign De-
tective Sergt. Joseph Shimon. a
police official attached to his Of
flee. TO canvass the establishments
operating the machines He will
contribute to MI. Flhelly'S report.
Meanwhile the members Of the
subcommittee have also planned TO
visit some of the establishments in
cognito to obtain frst-hand infor-
nation.
The investigation - hitherto un-
publicized-Was initiated by pro-
tests Of Harry S. Wender, citizen
leader from Southwest, who called
attention OF District officials to an
application filed at the District
Building by man wanting to open
penny arcade close TO an ele-
mentary school in the southwest Sec
ton. Mid-City Association has also
protested
Examination failed to disclose
regulations under which the permit
could be refused and the matter
was placed in the hands Of Col.
| Beverly c. Snow, assistant engineer
commissioner and chairman of the
regulations board. Through hun
the investigating subcommittee was
. named.
Legally, 1t was said. the only way
officers can now act against the cOn-
trivances-most Of which are lngen-
ious electrical inventions IS
/ through establishment of a test case
in which side gambling is proven.
In such event. a blanket injunction
might be issued against all machines
until the test case was decided, II
was stated. A District statute Of
1901 imposes sentence OF five years
in prison against operators OF es-
adjustments which permit persons
to gamble on the results of mechan-
ical contrivances on the premises.
Several wears ago a drive against
the machines was started. but
/ trickled out indecisively in the courts.
In recent months numerous new
establishments have been reported
set up here. mostly in empty stores
now jammed full Of slot machines.
IN addition drug stores. dehcatessens.
restaurants and pool halls have per-
mitted installation Of machines. Mr.
Curran said his Office had received
numerous complaints. but Inspector
Callahan said police had gotten COM
paratively few.
Personally I would like to see
every machine in the city con-
fiscated." Mr. Curran told The Star
but added any action would await
the report of his investigators.
Inspector Callahan. although eX-
planning he was not totally opposed
to operation of the machines when
! played for amusement by adults.
said he was 'unalterablv opposed"
to their distribution in areas near
schools or when gambling was iden-
| tined with the course OF a metal
ball bouncing off a number of
strategicallv placed pins"
The final report OF all the IN
vestigators. he said might contain
recommendations against licensing
establishments which may ask per-
mission to operate as a place OF
amusement" but in reality may be
only "a place for gambling and loose
spending"
Best solution. in the mind OF one
official. might be imposition of rigid
laws which would have the same
effect on operators and distributors
OF slot machines that the alcoholic
! beverage control laws have on liquor
establishments. In other words. he
said, regulations to prevent patroniz-
ing of the places by youth and
prevent installations near schools