Evening star., 1949-06-01
Slim Vote Seen
In Slot Machine
Referendum
Approval of Devices
Likely Tomorrow
In Prince Georges
Last of q Sertes.J
By Alex R. Preston
Last of a Series.J

BY Alex R. Preston
Prospects are that only a small
fraction Of Prince Georges Coun-
tvs $4,000 qualified voters will de-
eide the question of legalizing slot
machines in tomorrow's referen-
dunn.
There is agreement among most
opponents and proponents of the
plan that the smaller the vote,
the better the chances that the
gambling devices will be ap-
proved. II this is so, only an
unexpected last-minute surge OF
public interest could bring about
a turnout large enough to defeat
the proposal.
The usual claims are being
made by both sides. of course.
The list of civic ana church
groups who seek to keep slot
machines out of the county were
late in bringing their forces to
bear and, in fact, failed to voice
their objections while the proposal
was being prepared for submission
to the voters.
Fight Well Organized.
Slot machine advocates, on the
other hand. apparently have put
more money and better organiza-
ton into the fight. So-called
sample ballots" are on hand at
most bars and liquor stores. Their
fight has been organized under
the direction of the County Ho-
tel and Restaurant Association,
which. according to Fred F.
Monaghan, president, is made UP
of 157 members representing 205
on-sale liquor license holders. Co.
operating with the group is the
Package Liquor Store Association
Of about 50 off f-sale liquor dealers,
he said.
While the slot machine op-
ponents have acted individually as
organizations, the proponents Of
the gambling devices have re-
tanned a professional public rela-
tions organization, Kopeland As
sociates of Silver Spring, to put
their viewpoint across. This has
been done through publicity.
newspaper advertisements, direct
mail, handbills and radio "spot
announcements"
Typical of the campaign litera-
ture picked up at one bar is a
leaf1et printed over the name of
the hotel and restaurant associa-
ton. On one side is printed a
list Of questions and answers tell
ing why the "amusemelt devices"
should be approved. On the
reverse side is a large-lettered ap-
peal to vote for the question that
will appear on the ballot.
Like Sample Ballot.
Beside this iS a box prepared
like sample ballot, although not
designated as such, which carries
the following statement over
two boxes marked. For" and
Against:
IAN Act to License Amusement
Devices and use the revenue
derived therefrom each year to
REDUCE THE TAKES OF
EVERY TAXPAYER in Prince
Georges County"
This, however. is not the ques-
ton that appears on the official
ballot nor is there anything in
the law that requires the license
revenues from slot machines to
be applied to the reduction Of
taxes. In the two other Mary
land counties that have approved
the devices by vote of the people.
one has increased the tax rate and
the other has failed to lower its
levy. /
Language in the Prince Georges
County bill simply expresses the
hope that the tax rate will be re-
duced.
Sponsors of the legislation In
the General Assembly which pro-
vided for tomorrow's referendum
are, for the most part. refraining
from active participation in the
fight.
The legislators sent up trial
balloon" by announcing plans for
the measure three weeks before
adjournment Of the General AS
sembly and withheld final passage
of the bill until the day of ad-
journment to permit opponents
to express their views or ask for
a hearing. But no one objected
during this time.
Since then, however, the organ
izations that have come out
against the plan include the
Hyattsville Ministerial Associa-
ton, comprising five Protestant
churches; the County Council of
Girl Scouts; the Civic Federation,
which had indorsed licensed pin
ball machines only: the county
chapter of the American Associa-
ton of University Women: the
League of Women Voters, the
County Federation of Women's
Clubs and the County Council of
Parent Teacher Associations.
Appeal From Pulpits.
The ministerial association has
appealed to the voters through
the pulpits and through distribu-
ton of about $4,000 handbills.
The others, for the most part.
have voiced their views only
through normal publicity chan
nels In the newspapers.
One exception to the noncom-
initial attitude of the legislative
delegation is Leroy Humphrey,
majority floor leader of the House
of Delegates. Mr.. Pumphrey, who
was not the only member of the
county delegation to oppose the
bill, was, however. the only one
Of them to publicly vote against it.
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