Evening star., 1948-05-23
Gambling Laws
Held FIoutedi in
Charles County
Grand Jury BIomes
lox Enforcement,
Asks Stote Police Aic
By J. L. MichoeI
Stor Stoff Correspondent

LA PLATA, Mo, May ZZ.-A
special grand jury has charged flag
rant disregard of liquor and gam
ing laws and laid the blame squarely
on the duly elected enforcement
officers" of Charles County.
It requested that it be recalled
In 80 days and asked the court
to advertise the special investiga-
ton it intends to make so that
the jury could hear complaints
from individual citizens or persons
representing local groups"
The court ordered a special ses-
sion of the jury to begin August
16 after the veniremen reported
to Chief Judge William H. Loker
and Associate Judges Charles c.
Marbury and John B. Gray, jr.,
that they had reached their con-
clusions after long and serious
discussion of the gambling and
liquor situations in Charles County.
Heaviest Docket in Years.
The report was signed by Fore
man Foster M. Reeder and Clerk
Clarence O'C. McDonagh.
Judge Loker in his charge to the
grand jury had demanded that all
criminal laws be enforced whether
YOU like them or not"
IF you don't like them" the
judge added, have such laws passed
as suit you, but do your duty now
and enforce those we have" OBJ
servers said the court appeared con-
cerned that the May criminal
docket, the heaviest in years, may
indicate a crime wave in the county.
Included in a score of cases con-
sidered by the grand jury in their
three-day deliberations were three
charges of murder and two for rape.
Other charges ranged from arson
and bigamy to store reaking.
Nineteen true bills were reported.
One case was ignored because of in
sufficient evidence.
Laws Held Inadequate.
Concerning gaming and liquor vio-
lations, the jury told the court
there are adequate laws governing
professional gambling such as slot
machines, numbers and race horse
booking, as well as the sale of
liquor"
Any unlawful situation that ex-
lists" the report said, ''is due to lack
of enforcement by the duly elected
officers of Charles County whose
oath of Office covers this enforce
ment"
States Attorney Thomas C. Car
rico and Sheriff Elmer M. Quade
declined comment on the jury's re-
port, but court attaches declared
that the court has heretofore held
that responsibility for investigation
and prosecution of criminal law vio-
lations rests upon the grand jury.
They pointed out that the court
in gaming cases at LeonardtoWn last
year had rejected grand jury's
claim that the court, States attorney
and sheriff were charged with such
responsibility. The court at that
time lectured the grand jury for two
hours and directed it to investigate
alleged gaming violations and to
return indictments where evidence
was sufficient.
Asks Recall i'm 80 Days.
The grand jury report said that
Improper. reckless and unlawful
dispensing of alcoholic beverages
has caused crowds to congregate,
obstructing sidewalks and highways,
making free passage of traffic by
pedestrians and vehicles almost i'm
possible, thereby disturbing the
peace"
The jury recommended that en-
forcement officers make special in
vestigations of these establishments
with a view to suspension or re-
vocation of licenses
The jury report said further that
"the grand jury strongly begs the
court to delegate enforcement of
county laws regarding gambling and
sale of liquor to the State police in
cooperation with county law en-
forcement officers"
Jail Called a Disgrace"
Other recommendations included
a proposal that the General Assem-
bly, give to the county trial magis-
trate the same power to place pris-
oners under care of the Department
of Parole and Probation as is now
exercised by the Circuit Court.
Labelling the Jail dirty and in
adequate" the grand jury said it
found ventilation, toilet facilities
and lighting "deplorable" and called
the building "a disgrace to the citi-
zens of Charles County"
Among those indicted was George
William Solomon Miller, a former
police private at Washingtons No.
IL Precinct.
Miller. 80, is charged with bigamy
and perjury in connection with his
marriage here last January 20 to
Irene Marie Roles. 10. former stu
rin,t Y,1,rco Of co1l;n1or uoenitoI