Evening star., 1941-04-04
Jai AIai Foes
Plan Motorcade
To Annapolis
Sligo Park Group
Wires O'Conor TO
Call Hearing

A motorcade to Annapolis to pro-
test signing of the bill to legalize
jai alai with pari-mutuel betting in
ganized today as the controversy
over the measure passed at the re-
cent session of the Legislature con-
tinued unabated
AS the Sligo Park Hills Citizens
Association, acting on what it
claimed to be inside information"
that the jai alai court was to be
built in the Silver Spring area,
wired Gov. O'Conor to grant public
hearing before signing the bill. E.
Brooke Lee, one of the Delegates
who sponsored the measure in the
House, declared:
THE Delegates who introduced the
So-called jai alai bill will oppose
locating the proposed court, if the
countrywide referendum is favor
able. in the Bethesda. Chevy Chase,
Silver Spring or Takoma Park areas,
or near any developed community.
Promoter to Arrive Soon.
The promoter Of the project,
Richard Berenson, president and
general manager of the Biscayne
Fronton Of Miami, is in Florida
winding up the current season
there, but is expected back next
week and some announcement as to
the probable location can be ex.
pected at that time.
Il can't speak for Mr.. Berenson,
but the Delegates who introduced
the bill are agreed on opposing such
project in any already settled COM
munity."
Meanwhile. James w. Gill, chair
man of the county delegation, told
members of the Executive Board of
the Women's Democratic Club Of
Montgomery County that he did not
intend to take sides in the proposed
referendum and that the other
county leaders with whom he had
discussed the matter intended to
follow similar course.
Says It's Up to Voters.
The whole question is going to
be left up to the voters of Mont
gomery County" he said. IF they
want to legalize iai alai with pari-
mutuel betting and the revenue that
it will bring, all right. It's up to
them
MotOrcade Chairman Named.
After sending the telegram to Gov.
O'Conor asking a public hearing on
the measure, Stuart NJ. Armstrong,
who was elected president of the
Sligo Park Hills Citizens Association
last night to succeed Stewart D.
Lashley, named Gerald Ryan chair
man of a committee to organize q
motorcade among county organiza-
tions opposing the measure.
Protests against the jai alai bill
also we're sent to the Governor by
the Takoma Park Women's Club,
the Women's Society of the Takoma
Park Presbyterian Church and the
vestry of Grace Episcopal Church Of
Silver Spring.
A sidelight on the controversy was
brought out by one of the delegates
at the Sligo Park Hills meeting, who
recalled that Montgomery County
was one of five in the State which
returnCf a majority in favor Of an
amendment proposed in 1888 to re-
peal the State LOTTERY law. The
Montgomery County vote was 6453
to 5.81O in favor of repeal. The
other counties favoring repeal were
Prince Georges, Anne Arundel,
Charles and St. Marys.
Other officers elected at the Sligo
Park Hills meeting we're; John A.
Laut, vice president; Mrs. B. A.
Crock, treasurer; 1. A. Denison, re-
cording secretary, and Mrs. John A.
DAILY, corresponding secretary. Mrs.
Ira Castles was named zoning chair
man and Clarence Smith chairman
of committee to study the Brook
ings Institution report.