Evening star., 1947-03-16
Prince Georges
Bill Asks BETTING
On Midget Cars
Measure Seen as
Move to LegoIize
GombIing in County
By J. B. Zdtmon
Sior Staff Correspondent

Stor Staff Correspondent
ANNAPOLIS, Mar. 15.-The Princ'
Georges County delegation to thu
General Assembly today introduced
In the House bill providing fol
pari-mutuel betting at midget auto
mobile race tracks in the county.
Members of the delegation said ths
measure was a trial balloon" but re-
fused to elaborate.
Observers, however, interpreted th'
delegations action as the forerunnel
of move to legalize gambling in th'
county.
Under the bill the county woult
receive per cent tax on the tota
amount of money bet on all races a
each track.
County Has One Midget Track.
There is now only one midget autt
track in the county, located neal
Lanham, but no limit is set in thu
bill on the number of other track
which may be established.
Delegation Chairman Perry o
wilkinson estimated the count,
would receive approximately $100,00'
q year in additional revenue If thu
bill is passed. He added it wouls
help pay the cost of the county
educational program.
A three-member Board of Midge
Automobile Racing would be set III
to license and regulate such tracks
The license fee would be set by tht
board.
Members of the board would be ap
pointed by the county commissioner
for staggered terms of one, two ane
three years, respectively, beginning
with 30 days after June /, 1947.
Racing Would Be Licensed.
Two of the members would re-
ceive $1,000 year while the thiro
member would act as chairman al
an annual salary Of $1,500. The
board could appoint secretary ano
other employees as needed.
Any person, association or cor
poration desiring to sponsor midget
automobile racing in the county
would have to apply to the board
for a license.
As soon as practicable during 1947
and on or before March l of each
year thereafter, the board would set
dates for midget automobile races,
provided they would not coincide
with horse racing meets at the
Laurel, Bowie, Upper Marlboro and
Pinllico tracks.
Midget auto races could not be
held for more than IS days or nights
during any one year. Any one con-
victed of attempting to "fix race
would be barred from Maryland
tracks. He also could be fined not
less than $1,000 or more than $10,-
900 or could receive maximum OF
two years in Jail. All three pun
ishments could be imposed.
The bill also provides for a fine
of not less than $500 and not more
than $4,000 or a maximum OF two
years in Jail, or both, for persons
operating unlicensed tracks at
which prizes are awarded.
Two Other Bills Offered.
The delegation introduced two
.other bills. One would authorize
the Mayor and council of Landover
Hills to levy a special tax not to
exceed 80 cents per 500 for garbage
and trash collection, subject to a
referendum on the second WedneS-
day in May.
The other empowers the Mayor
and council to borrow up to $25,OOO
for storm water or surface drain
age projects and to levy an annual
tax to pay off the debt.
A bill submitted by the Montgom-
cry delegation provides for the
establishment of retirement sys-
tenn for Takoma Park employees and
for the appointment Of a certified
public accountant, a police chief and
other policemen.
The Charles County delegation in
troduced a bill authorizing the
Board of Education to provide free
bus transportation for students o1
parochial schools.
Seven bills affecting Prince
Georges County were passed by the
House and sent to the Senate. They
would:
= Increase the salary of the stenog-
rapher to the States attorney from
$500 to $4,000 year.
Bill Would Repeal Wartime Act
Repeal a wartime act providing
for additional compensation to
county employees.
Authorize the Governor to appoint
seven additional justices of the
peace at large to act as committing
magistrates.
Empower the Mayor and council
of Mount Rainier to regulate the use
or maintenance of buildings for the
protection of public health and
safety.
Permit the Mount Rainier Mayor
and council to borrow up to $4,000
for periods not exceeding three
years to meet emergency conditions.
Authorize the Mayor or council of
Cheverly to appoint one or more
policemen.
Increase the Cheverly tax from 25
TO- a maximum of 531a cents per 500.
Civic Leaders Comment
Varies on Auto Betting Bill