Evening star., 1949-04-17
Charles County Group
To Ask Lane 10 Veto
Slot Machine Bill
By J. L. MichoeI
SpeeiaI Sfor Correspondent


LA PLATA, Md, April 16.-Gov,
Lane will be asked to veto Charles
County's slot machine bill, it was
learned today, as hints came from
official sources that State Police
may strike suddenly against al
legged violations of gambling and
liquor laws.
Observers reported that from
1000 to 1900 illegal slot machines
are operating openly and that
numbers and horse-race bookies
are fourishing. tS
Few business establishments are
without one or more slot machines,
Informed sources say that num-
bers and race-book operators have
their headgH arterS ip, sths sGoyntx
seat hefe. -onlyta few blocks from
the courthouse.
From "a Negro establishment
located inathe rountya thfh elecr
ton district, big, shiny cars. run
up and down the roads on daily
trips to virtually every business
place in the area.
Long Standing Condition.
Residents say that the occupants
are insurance men" and that
their policy" sales are. turned
over to brokers" in La Plata.
Taking cognizance of these long
standing conditions. the grand
jury last May told the court that
gambling laws were being violated
with impunity and that in addi-
ton:
Improper, reckless and unlaw-
ful dispensing of alcoholic bever-
ages has caused crowds to con-
gregate. obstructing sidewalks and
highways. making free passage Of
traffic by pedestrians and vehicles
almost impossible. thereby dis
turbing the peace"
Foster M. Reeder, the grand
jury's foreman, said today at his
Mount Victoria home that shortly
after the last jury session he had
formally requested Col Beverly
Ober. superintendent of state po-
lice, to send troopers into the coun-
ty to assist the sheriff and his
deputies. Mr.. Reeder said he had
taken the action ION behalf of
the grand jury, and after a con-
ference with the court
Col. Ober. Mr.. Reeder said. had
replied "courteously. but some
what indefinitely"
1t was learned however. that
State police plainclothesmen have
visited the county since the grand
jury's request was received,
Reached by telephone. Col Ober
confirmed receipt of the grand
refused to disclose whether his
agency contemplated action in
Charles County's liquor and gamb-
ling affairs. He indicated that if
raids were ordered they would
be of the lighting" type, carried
out in secrecy by troopers from
distant sections Of the State.
Before we act" Col. Ober as
serted, I'VE want assurance that
local officers have done all they
can to correct the situation.
Further. We want to feel conf
dent that once we have cleaned
up q condition such as that said
to exist in Charles County, that
it will stay cleaned up after our
men have left the area"
Leaders Prepare to Act.
Informed Of these developments.
church and civic leaders were pre-
pairing to press for State police aid
and to confront county authorities
with q demand for public expla-I
nation of their alleged failure to
enforce gambling and liquor laws.
The Rev. j. M. Milstead. pastor
Of Waldorf Methodist Church, said
o letter to that effect would be
drafted by a group Of leaders for
presentation to States Attorney
Thomas C. Carrico and Sheriff
Elmer M. Quade.
Mr.. Milstead also said his group
would ask Gov. Lane. for a hear
ing on the county slot machine bill
passed by the last General AS
sembly, which would authorize q
. referendum June n.
! I'VE will urge the Governor to
veto it," Mr.. Milstead declared.