Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-08-17
Charles County
Legal Gambling
Special Session Says
Law Violations Are
Getting Worse
By J. l. MichoeI
Spseiol Sfor cefssspondsrf

LA PLATA, Md, Aug. 1.-THE
Charles County grand jury yester-
day recommended lesalizing slot ma.
chimes, bingo and raffles after re-
porting liquor and gambling law
violations are getting progressively
worse"
The jury also reported it would
seek State police aid to clean up the
gambling and liquor situation In this
county"
The jury was dismissed after q
seven-hour special session at which
no evidence was presented and no
witnesses heard.
Indicating its belief that the cure
for the situation is legalized gam
bling, the jury recommended that
the county legislative officers work
at the next regular or special session
for inclusion Of a referendum allow
ing citizens of Charles County to
vote on legalizing slot machines and
to tax same for the county"
Would Legalize Bingo.
1t also urged that the county's
legislators take necessary steps to
legalize operation of bingo, money
wheels and chances used by
churches or civic organizations at
their various affairs to raise money
for community and civic work"
The grand jury further recon-
mended repeal of the Bouse Act
which would allow the sheriff and
deputies to search alleged violators
without a warrant"
The grand jury met yesterday at
its own request. It had reported in
May that liquor and gambling laws
were being violated with impunity
and laid the blame on the county's
newly elected" enforcement officers.
TIL jury begged" the court to in
woke the aid of State police and
asked to be recalled in 80 days.
1t also requested that the special
session be advertised so that the
members could hear complaints
from individual citizens or persons
representing local groups.
No Advance Publicity.
Yesterdays session was not adj
vertised and Judge Charles C. Mar
bury who was alone on the bench
said that no advance publicity had
appeared in any newspaper so far
as he knew. The judge raped the
grand jury for not issuing a press
release in advance Of the special
session. He declared this was the
proper method of advertising and
added that 10 days ago he had In
structed the Circuit Court clerk to
inform the grand jury foreman that
this should be done.
The jury's report said I'VE are
sorry that through misunderstand-
ing this special session was not
advertised as requested in the report
by the May grand jury and also
that State police help and closer
cooperation with the sheriff office
was not solicited.
I'VE called in the States attorney
and he informed the grand jury
that his was not an enforcement
Office but one of prosecution for the
State and defense Of the State. He
presented no evidence or witnesses
and said he had no complaints from
the citizens of Charles County.
Officers Interviewed.
1.-THE sheriff and four deputies
were called and interviewed sep
aratey. Some admitted gambling
is going on but presented no def
mite evidence and no names as all
they knew was hearsay. The sheriff
said the laws could be enforced but
he might need additional help and
expense"
The grand jury, the report said,
lis writing State police headquarters
asking that reports be given the
sheriff's Office in order to clean up
the gambling and liquor situation in
this county"
Slot machines are now legal in
three other Southern Maryland
counties - st. Marys, Calvert and
Ann Arundel.