Smyrna times., 1945-07-12
CARNIVAL TEST
ON BINGO GAME
Dover Ministerial Association
Forces Closing of BingO
and Game Booths
HEARING JULY 18TH

gdmDllng IN any Iorm as Inc
latest development in the contro-
versy growing out of the action of
five Dover ministers in forcing the
closing of binbo and games booths
last week at tn carnival sponsored
by Walter L. Fox Post, No. 2,
American Legion. Solomon Walls,
post commander, was arrested
Saturday on complaint of the five
ministers who objected to the
bingo and wheels of chance at the
carnival, held for the purpose of
raising funds for a new post home.
To Hold Hearing on July 18
Walls will be given hearing in
the Kent County Court of Common
Pleas July 18. Legion officials
have indicated this will be a test
case on the question of bingo and
wheels of chance when operated
for such causes as American Le-
gion or fire companies. The state
ment of the Dover Ministerial As
sociation follows: "The Dover Min
isterial Association feels that the
American Legion as an organiza-
ton which stands for our form of
government and our Constitution
should not try to build up its treas
ury by methods which are outside
the law. We feel that the men
who are bleeding and dying to pre-
serve our democracy would not de-
sire Legion Home financed by
methods which allegedly violate
the laws of the state. We refuse
to permit the men in the front line
to be stabbed in the back at home.
Law Evasion Alleged
'The Legion's spokesman has
asserted that war stamps rather
than money were awarded in the
games. We fail to see the differ
ence. We feel that this is a down.
right evasion of the law and was
intended as such. 1t is also our
opinion that since the statutes pro-
hibit these types of gambling, it is
the duty of the state to enforce its
laws. We therefore urge the au-
thorities to enforce the law not in
Dover alone but throughout the
state. 1t is not our intention to
discriminate. We feel that all Or
ganizations should abide by the
laws of the land. 1t is the associa-
tins opinion that such money
raising efforts appeal to the gamb-
ling instinct and are morally harm
full. We regret very deeply that the
Legion saw fit to disregard our
friendly appeal and that conse-
uuently this matter had to be TAX
en- to the state authorities"
George E. Hill, past commander of
the post and past commander,
Department of Delaware, Ameri-
can Legion, said the case would be
in the nature of a test case. FOX
Post will be the guinea pig in the
proceeding" Mr.. Hill said. War
stamps, and not money, were
awarded, Mr.. Hill explained. The
post arranged the carnival with
care to avoid Objectionable fea-
lures. Mr.. Hill said. The object
was to raise funds for a modern
Legion home for benefit of return
ing World War II veterans.
200 Members on Post List
The post consists of more than
$50 World War I veterans and
about so veterans of the present
war and many of them, along with
other members, assisted in con-
ducting the carnival. A large vol
ume of war stamps were disposed
of at the booths, Mr.. Hill said. The
games provided only innocent pas
time for the carnival patrons, Mr..
Hill declared, and he said the main
objective was to secure a home
worthy of the war service of vet
Grams of the present war.
Opposed to Chance Wheels
Emphasis has been placed on the
operation of the bingo games. OF
course we object to that but our
primary objection was the chance
wheels. Wheels were being run
all around and we object to gamb-
ling in any form, whether money
wheels, horse racing, or no matter
what the form. We are trying to
stop gambling; not the Legion in
its program. 1t is surprising the
Legion is so blind on this moral is
sue." Another minister charged
that many boys and girls were on
the grounds and playing the
wheels. He said he saw children
Of IL to IA years of age playing,