Evening star., 1941-04-03
New Protests
Against Jai A|aii.
Go 10 0'Conor
Five County Groups
Join Forces Urging
Veto of Proposal

The controversy over the proposed
establishment of a jai alai court in
Montgomery County, with pari-
mutuel system of betting, increased
today with several more county Or
ganizations going on record against
legalized betting in the county.
Five more county organizations
have sent Gov. O'Conor requests to
veto the bill passed in the closing
days of the Maryland Legislature,
which ended early Tuesday.
Introduced by Delegates James w.
Gill, Ruth Shoemaker, E. Brooke Lee
and Stanton c. Peelle, the bill pro-
vides for referendum to be held
along with the special election for
a representative from the 9th Mary
land district, of which Montgomery
County is part, to fill the unexpired
term of the late Representative
Byron, who was killed last month
in an airplane crash near Atlanta.
Game Originated in Spain.
Jai alai originated in the Basque
country of Spain and is played ex-
tensively in Spain and in most
Spanish-American countries, includ-
ing Mexico and Cuba. 1t is played
also in Florida.
The game is somewhat similar to
hand ball, played on an indoor
court by players equipped with
cestas, or woven rackets, strapped
to their arms. The Florida season
runs from 80 to 100 days. Spectators
share in a pari-mutuel pool accord
ing to the number of points scored
by individuals and teams. Players
divide a set stake similar to those
posted in horse racing.
Gov. OConor is away from his
office on vacation and is not eX-
pected back for several days. At
the State House it was said that
he would take up the matter when
he returns and give consideration
to all protests received.
Early Action Necessary.
IT will be necessary for him to
take definite action before the
ballots are printed for the special
election, as the referendum is pro-
vided for in the bill itself. Should
he veto the bill, the referendum
would not be held
The election will be called not
less than 20 days after the Repub-
lican and Democratic Central Com
nittees from the five counties in the
district have certified their candi-
dates to the Governors office The
central committee are expected to
meet in a week or 10 days to make
their choices.
The Montgomery County -Taxpay-
ers' Association will ask the Gov
ernor to veto, not only the jai alai
measure, but also the bill Extend
ing the county's liquor monopoly to
include wholesale distribution of
beer, Curtis J. Ireland, president,
said today.
1900 Sign Petitions.
Petitions bearing more than l.
500 signatures of county residents
have been prepared for submission
to the Governor with the request
10 F6tO IIlC DcSI IllCdSuIC, 4SAl IL
land said Additional signatures
are being obtained daily, he ex-
planned.
The request to veto the jai alai
bill will be forwarded with a reso-
luton adopted by the associations
board of directors declaring their
opposition to any form of CONNER
cialized gambling in the county de-
spite the prospect of more revenue,
Mr.. Ireland said.
The purpose of the bill is to put
money above principle, the resolu-
ton stated, but the association is
against raising money for county
purposes by such methods.
Women Urge Veto of Bill.
The Women's Club of Woodside,
Md, yesterday voted to telegraph
the Governor its disapproval of the
jai alai bill and ask him to veto
the measure. The club met at the
home of Mrs. John G. Marsh.
Similar action was taken at the
meeting last night of the Current
Comment Club of Woodside, meet
ing at the home of Mrs. Carl Lines.
Members were urged to write let
ters voicing their opinion on the
bill.
Two more messages were sent to
Gov. O'Conor by Silver Spring
groups, both asking veto of the
measure. One was signed by the
Silver Spring Women'S Club, Of
which Mrs. John C. Keele is presi-
dent, and the other by the Women's
Society of Christian Service of the
Woodside Methodist Church, OF
which Mrs. H. H. Hewlett is presi-
dent.