Evening star., 1948-04-29
Gambling Probe
To GET Special
Safeguards
Names of Witnesses
And Jurors Expected
To Be Kept Secret
By Chris Mothisen

Special measures are being
planned to assure maximum
protection for witnesses appear
ing before the special grand jury
which will investigate Washing
ton gambling and for the jurors
themselves it, was learned to-
day.
United States Attorney George
Morris Fay would say only that the
secrecy of grand jury proceedings
would have to be preserved.
1t was understood, however, a
District Court justice might be
asked to order that names of the
jurors be kept secret
Meanwhile, Mr.. Fay held pledges
of cooperation from Commissioner
John Russell Young and Acting
Police Supt. Floyd A. Truscott.
In his order of yesterday, author
izing the investigation. Chief JUS
tice Bolitha J. Laws directed that
100 names of prospective jurors be
drawn tomorrow and that the jury
be impaneled on May II. The action
vas requested by Mr.. Fay with the
approval of Attorney General Clark.
Can Subpoena Outsiders"
The special grand jury will have
power to subpoena persons residing
outside the District, including num-
bers and horSe-betting big shots"
reputed to be controlling a gambling
industry of more than S100000,O00
annual volume from nearby points.
principally in Maryland.
Because of the magnitude of the
business the investigation is in
tended to break up, protection of
jurors who would act against the
gambling barons and of persons
testifying before them was said to
be receiving careful consideration
in the United States attorneys
Office.
Grand jury proceedings are made
secret by law, but the names of the
jurors usually are not withheld.
District Court can order this done.
Mr.. Fay issued call for cooper
alton from the public He said he
was certain that when the public
realizes the Importance of this in
vestigation We will have their full
cooperation"
Asks for Information.
Il not only welcome but invite
any information or evidence they
have which would assist this in
veStigation,' he said. suggesting that
informants call or write him or one
OF his aides, Assistant United States
Attorneys John w. Fihelly and
Charles B. Murray"
Asked for comment on the COM
ing investigation yesterday Mr..
Young declared he would be happy
to cooperate"
He added no information con-
corning large-scale gambling or any
indication of graft involving police
had come to his attention. He said
he would have been the first to de-
mand an inquiry. if it had.
Inspector Truscott said:
The Metropolitan Police Depart
ment will cooperate in every way
possible, at Mr.. Fay's request"
Questioned as to the existence Of
organized" gambling in the Cap
ital, Inspector Truscott conceded
there is some. He explained there
must be "a certain amount of or
ganization' in numbers betting
operations, for example.
He had no comment when asked
why police permit such activities TO
take place.
Recalls 1895 Breakdown.
Inspector Truscott recalled he
was assigned to the United States
attorneys Office during gambling
breakdown in 1886 and 1887. He
said six policemen were among
those indicted by a regular grand
jury as a result of that drive. but
none of the members of the force
was convicted.
AS to the gambling operations In
adjacent States, Inspector Truscott
said he believes they are "at their
lowest ebb," largely because of
stricter enforcement in Prince
Georges County, Md
County police said yesterday this
was the case and insisted they are
ready to proceed promptly against
any establishment on which any one
can supply evidence of gambling.
Supt. Ralph w. Brown of the
Prince Georges force pointed out
that a breakdown was started there
last September which resulted in a
number of gambling establishments
(See GAMBLING, Page A-5.)