Evening star., 1941-04-09

pcBdH u STUDY OF tuc pTOCcStS anu
statement of the county's legis-
lators on the measure.
Despite the announced intention
of the four Montgomery County
delegates who introduced the jai alai
bill in the Legislature to withdraw
their support. county residents to-
day continued their drive to have
Gov. OConor veto the bill.
A mass meeting of more than 200
residents at the Silver Spring Bap-
tist Church last night protested the
action of the county delegation,
and adopted a resolution calling on
the Governor to veto the bill.
The meeting was called by a citi-
zens' committee headed by Milton
S. Kronheim, jr., and the citizens
adopted resolution continuing the
committee in power to function until
the measure Is dead.
PIT. A. Disapproves.
The Montgomery County Fed
Grated Parent-Teacher Associations
voiced complete disapproval' OF
the measure and the Republican
Central Committee condemned ac-
ton by the Legislature, in meet
ings at Rockville yesterday. The
Woman's Guild of Grace Church
also directed a resolution to Gov.
O'Conor asking his veto.
The Executive Committee of the
Seventh District Republican Club
indorsed the Central Republican
Committees action, when it met
last night in the home of President
John M. Reeves, Silver Spring.
The bills sponsors, Delegates E.
Brooke Lee, James w. Gill, Ruth
Shoemaker and Stanton C. Peelle,
jr., issued statement yesterday de-
claring that they would join the
many civic, church and political
organizations asking the Governor S
veto.
Commissioners Ask Veto.
Despite a referendum amendment,
the delegates said I'VE have come
to the conclusion that even the sub
mission of the question of the legali-
zation of commercial gambling to
the voters of Montgomery County is
unwise, and consequently q mis-
take" ...s. ...; 90
= Last nights mass meeting was
addressed by several speakers who
fiayed the county political organi-
zation" that was said to be respon-
sible for introducing the legislation.
What do they think this county
has come to?" shouted H. S. Yohe
former president of the County Fed
Grafton Of Citizens Association
Since when has this county had to
depend on its revenues from the
proceeds of gambling?
The bill has hidden within it
implications that should arouse the
opposition of every citizen. The
sponsors claim we will receive added
revenues, but remember what was
promised the citizens several years
ago by way of extra profits in liquor
legislation. Where is all that money
now?"
Question Raised on Profits.
Stephen Tuhy, jr., president of
the Silver Spring Citizens Associa-
ton, also said the county has not
profited from the liquor stores and
forecast that it would not profit from
jai alai betting.
Washington I. Cleveland, presi-
dent of the Greater Kensington
Civic League. declared: There's
not a scintilla of evidence to show
that revenue that would be raised
would be used to reduce taxes. In
stead, our delegation has passed
legislation to increase salaries Of
county officials"
o. M. Kile. president of the civic
federation criticized the late time at
which the legislation was introduced.
Jones Praised for Opposition.
ITO me this was the worst feature
of the entire matter" he said. The
proponents have tried to justify the
lateness by adding a referendum
amendment. When the bill was
first introduced in the House there
was no referendum provision, nor
was there such provision when it
first reached the Senate.
Delegate Charles C. Jones was
introduced as the one man who
had the courage" to oppose the bill.
For 20 years." Mr.. Jones said, 81
have heard grand juries of this
county charged by judges to keep
gambling out of this county. The
late Judge Robert Peter, father of
our Senator, used to tell the grand
juries: Keep gambling off Conduit
road
Don't be misled by Brooke Lee
and his crowd hoisting the white
flag of retreat, because I want to
warn you there is more behind this
move than appears on the surface.
Don't relinquish your efforts to veto
this bill until the fight is won"
The resolution asking the Gov
ernor's veto was offered by Mr..
Cleveland. 1t contended the pro-
posed law would bring "an unde-
sirable gambling element to the
county" and establish a base of
operations" for Washington and
Baltimore gamblers.
School Aid Spurned.
The resolution approved by the
Federated PIT. A. declared that
organization "resents the implica-
ton that it is necessary for Mont
gomery County to resort to revenue
from gambling establishments In
order to provide adequate funds for
public schools"