Evening star., 1948-12-24
License Board Calls
! Taverns Rendezvous
For Crime PIotters

"Rufhans from Washington" are
using Prince Georges County taverns
as a setting for plotting crimes. the
County Board OF License Commits
sioners said yesterday in acting on
complaints against four establish
ments.
William G. Brooks, acting. board
chairman, said newspaper stories
indicate that persons charged in at
least three serious crimes in the
last several months have been
patrons Of the Oxon Run Inn at
Oxon Hill, which is referred to a. =
the Bucket of Blood"
Warning that the place should
keep an eye" on its customers, the
board chairman declared: I'VE
don't want those rufins from
Washington coming into the county
and planning their crimes"
Another Tavern Warned.
The Bucket of Blood" was one Of
two county taverns that received
warnings by the License Board yes
terday. Also warned was James
Burke, manager Of Franks Tavern
in Kenilworth. The board told him
that two defendants, recently con-
victed in Circuit Court in a rape
case testified during the trial that
they had purchased whisky in the
place on the Sunday the assault
occurred. Mr.. Burke was warned
against Sunday sales.
The Campus Club at Hillside was
ordered to suspend operations for
two days, and owners of the Club
Hillbilly at Seat Pleasant voluntarily
surrendered their license to serve
alcoholic beverages, rather than show
cause why revocation action should
not be taken against them.
The license of the Campus Club
was suspended for a 48-hour period,
effective at the close of business
January 2. It's owner, Vernon D.
Biedler, was fined 5000 in the County
Circuit Court last month for per-
mitting the sale of beer TO two
HlllloTS on OCTOBER z.
Extenuating Circumstances
In imposing the penalty, the
board asserted it gave the minimum
suspension because of apparently
extenuating circumstances in con-
nection with the illegal sale. Mr..
Biedler said he was not present at
the time of the sale. During his
absence, waitress employed at the
place reported the beer order was
given by mature looking" man.
Mr.. Biedler explained.
The boards attorney, Vance v.
Vaughn, reported he had talked
with a man who admitted buying
beer for the two teen-agers while
they were absent from their table.
The Club Hilbilly license was
surrendered by Attorneys Ignatius
j. Keane and Jesse B. Messitte on
behalf of the corporation owning
the tavern. The corporation, which
was headed by Connie B. Gay.
radio hillbilly impress
sario, was fined a total of $500 in
Circuit Court also for selling to
minors on October and October 4.
The board, following a controver-
sial, six-hour hearing. granted q
beer and light wine license as a
climax to two-year fight by owners
of Lanham restaurant. 1t was the
seventh time that a hearing had
been held on the application.
Have 10 Days for Appeal.
Counsel for the opposition, Samuel
w. H. Meloy and Jerrold v. Powers,
were informed they had 10 days in
which to note an appeal.
The license was granted to Doris
F. Stancliff for Stancliff's Restau-
rant, Lanham-Severn road, near
Defense highway, Lanham. Mrs.
Stancliff and her husband, John D.
in whose name the license
previously had been sought, were
represented by Attorney M. Hamp-
ton Magruder.
Although those favoring the IL
cense were out numbered yesterday,
81 to IS, the Stancliffs submitted
petitions signed by more than $50
persons in accord with it. Mr.. STAN
,liff said he had personally can.
,assed 237 homes in the community
md that occupants Of $50 Of them
signed in favor Of the license.