Evening star., 1941-04-01
Fight on Jai AIai Bill
Is Pressed by Civic
And Religious Groups
Montgomery Federation
Requests O'Conor to
Withhold Approval

Despite last-minute amendment
authorizing a referendum on the
question of legalized pari-mutuel
betting on jai alai in Montgomery
County. Md, opposition to the pro-
posal began to crystalline among
civic and religious circles today.
The legislation was amended and
passed by the General Assembly
yesterday-the closing day-after
having been introduced Saturday by
the county's House delegation.
o. M. Kile, president of the Mont
gomery County Civic Federation,
today sent telegram to Gov.
O'Conor asking the Chief Executive
to withhold approval of the bill
until after the federation, compris-
ing So organizations, has an oppor-
tunity to take up the proposal at its
next meeting, April ID.
Gov. O'Conor said he would veto
the bill unless he received indica-
tions there is a large amount of
support for it among county resi-
dents.
Ministers Voice Objection.
Yesterday the Washington Minis
terial Association met at the Luth-
eran Church of the Reformation and
directed telegram to State Senator
Robert Peter from Montgomery
County, expressing opposition. A
special committee was appointed to
continue efforts to defeat the plan
because it was felt that gambling in
the county would have an adverse
effect on parishes of the churches
along the Washington Maryland
border.
The Executive Board of the Mont
gomery County Federation of Min
listers also directed protest to Sem
ator Peter yesterday. The Rev.
Ralph D. Smith, pastor of the Wood
side Methodist Church and president
of the county federation, asked Gov.
O'Conor to veto the legislation.
DR.. Smith expressed the opinion
that the county delegation had done
itself 'irreparable harm" by at
tempting to cram this legislation
down the peoples throats at the
last minute" The Rev. J. S. AL
berson of the Bethesda Presbyterian
Church and secretary of the fedora
ton, described the legislation as
"a vicious bill"
"1t was very unfair to add this
referendum amendment because it
places the burden of repeating the
law on the public. The people should
have had an opportunity to express
themselves"
Delegate Jones AssaiIs Action.
Delegate Charles C. Jones, inde-
pendent Democrat member of the
House of Delegates from Mont
gomery County, said Il don't see
any reason for starting gambling
here when for years we have legis-
lated against pin-ball machines and
all types of gambling. I don't like
the way this thing was put through
in the last 48 hours of the ses-
sion" e.
AS 1t went through the Senate,
the Montgomery jai alai bill was
amended to permit the referendum
to be held in connection with
special election to name a successor
to the late Representative Byron.
Senate amendments - including
one prohibiting spectators under 81
years old from witnessing the game
received House approval by IT.
to-1 vote as the bill completed its
legislative journey in record time.
Senator John G. Callan, Demo-
crat, of Baltimore, objected to the
haste with which the bill went whiz-
zing, but could not prevent its pass
age.
Mr. Callan took the floor to con-
gratulate the engineers of this deal"
II know when I'm licked" he said,
'but I want to pay my respects to
the well-greased boards of gamblers
rackets."
Proponents of the measure have
estimated it would bring the county
s25o,000 annually and 100000 to the
State.