Evening star., 1949-06-29

JIUI WoCnInS
Commissioners Fail
To Give instructions
To Police Chief
The Prince Georges County
Commissioners yesterday refused
to instruct Police Chief Ralph w
Brown on what he should do about
slot machines operated for
amusement only"
The law enforcement ofiicer
asked guidance In view OF con-
fusion he said had arisen in recent
weeks. but the commissioners de-
clined to put themselves on rec
ord on the issue.
Chief Brown said he intended
originally to request the commits
sioners to ban all slot machines
in the county. He found. how
ever. that the action was subject
to legal questions. Instead. he
asked the commissioners what
they wanted him to do with re-
gard to enforcing the law.
A motion was introduced by T
Hammond Welsh which would
authorize" the police to enforce
the gambling and slot machine
laws but other commissioners
contended the police already had
that responsibility. The motion
died for lack Of second.
Charles County Suit Planned.
In Charles County. meanwhile,
a prominent citizen announced he
would file suit to test the legality
OF the local law which permits
the operation OF slot machines for
cash payof1s.
Bruce M. Wilmer, who said he
represents a group Of taxpayers
said he would contest the validity
OF the Charles County Law. He
Is counting on a ruling similar to
one made last week by Judge
Charles c. Marbury in Prince
Georges.
Judge Marbury restrained the
county commissioners from licens-
ing pay-off machines on grounds
that the law legalizing this is un-
constitutional. The law was en-
acted at the 1949 session Of the
General Assembly and the payof1s
were approved by county voters
in a referendum held June 2.
Chief Brown told the commits
sioners yesterday that the courts
decision had left him in doubt
regarding the continued operation
of machines which the operators
say are for amusement only.
Says Players Usually Collect.
Commissioner Welsh charged
that customers who play these
machines usually collect from the
operators II they win.
They pay of and you know It,
Mr.. Welsh told his fellow commits
sioners. This Is an ugly matter
all through. The chief Of police
has requested advice. We can do
no less than approve a resolution
to guide him"
The other commissioners how
ever, did not agree. Their presi-
dent. Harry w. McNamee, said the
police already are charged with
the duty of enforcing all laws and
If there are violations to prosecute
the offenders.
II assume that the police have
been on their toes" he commented
The commissioners refusal tt
act appeared to leave to the police
the entire question of how slot
machines. pinball tables anc
punch boards will be operated.
Legal II Used For Amusement.
AS the matter now stands. these
devices are legal If used for amuse.
ment only. Payoffs in cash
merchandise or free games" are
illegal. Commissioner Welsh ha.
charged publicly that there are
payoffs.
Chief Brown said his 40-mem.
Der police department lacks sui.
ficient personnel to make con.
tinuing careful checks against
violations of the gaming laws. He
said the police propose to make
no concerted drive against slot
machines.
A campaign had been feared by
Walter L. Green, an attorney rep
resenting one operator. Mr.. Green
told the commissioners he bad
heard rumors that the police
planned to conduct q drive on
selected" individuals. including
his client, c. Walter Hendrix. He
said some of Mr.. Hendrix's ma
chimes had been smashed by per-
sons who dislike him. He declined
to state who did the smashing.
Mr.. Hendrix filed the suit which
brought about Judge Marbury's
ruling. AS q resident Of Mont
gomery County. he would have
been barred from operating pay.
OF machines in Prince Georges, /,
the law was allowed to stand.
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visit tn Alexandria .It1lv