Evening star., 1948-04-30

queSted with the approval Of Attor-
ney General Clark, Mr.. Fay urged
any one having information bearing
on the gambling racket here to
make it available to his office.
The 100 prospective jurors were
to be drawn by lot. but their names
were not to be made public.
Col. E. Goring Bliss, secretary
member Of the commission, explained
this was standard procedure, in
voked to avoid the possibility of a
prospective juror, who does not wish
to serve. dropping from sight when
he learns his name has been drawn
The names will be certified to the
clerk of District Court, who will
have the United States marshal's
office notify the 100 chosen to report
to Justice Pines court May II, Col
Bliss added.
Although Mr.. Fay also hoped to
keep the identity of the % jurors
secret, he decided later that, since
the list of jurors is a matter of pub
lie record. this could not be done.
The Jurors impaneled by Justice
Pine will be told they have the
power to subpoena witnesses outside
the District-that they might call
police, rephted gamblers or any one
else they felt could aid in the in
quiry.
Although this marks the first oc-
caSion on which the Unitel States
attorney here has asked a special
grand jury to devote itself to gamb-
ling alone, others who have held the
post, notably Justice Pine. also re-
garded gambling as major crime
problem when viewed in its totality
Testimony In 1898.
Justice Pines testimony in 1888
figured Importantly in a decision of
the House District Committee to
recommend favorable action on an
amendment to the District Code
giving police a new weapon against
the numbers game. The bill, which
became law on April of that year,
made possession Of original numbers
slips prima facie evidence of lottery
law violation and authorized issu-
ance of search warrants on "infor-
nation and belief" that premises
contained numbers paraphernalia or
other gambling equipment.
In his testimony, the then United
States Attorney Pine stated he con-
sidered the possibility of police
protection for gamblers a proper
subject for grand jury study. He
was asked:
Suppose a numbers man came to
you, and, in listing the expenses of
his game, said his boss paid police
$40 month for protection?"
I'D yank him before the grand
jury forthwith" he replied.
He explained he did not think the
police should have to investigate
themselves, even though they might
be willing to do so.
Possibility of Corruption.
In urging tightening of the lot
terry laws, he pointed out the vast
sums of money garnered by num-
bers hackers presented the posi-
bility of corrupting enforcement
officers"
When President Roosevelt signed
the bill containing the amendments
asked, the prosecutor and his chief
aides joined Police Stpt. Ernest w.
Brown in conference to plan an
intensive drive on the numbers
game.
Among those present at that
meeting was Assistant United
States Attorney John w. Fihelly,
who, with Assistant United States
Attorney Charles B. Murray. will
assist Mr.. Fay in offering informa-
ton to the special grand jury.
The law change increased gambling
arrests, but police explained they
still could do little about the big
operators, who maintained head
quarters across the District line.
Mr.. Fay has emphasized the in
terstate character of the coming
inquiry could reach these persons,