Evening star., 1950-05-09
ofLane,,
Batt|eUrgedon
0ffshoreGaminq
Colonial Beach Mayor
Suggests Governors
Thresh Out Problem
Spssisl oispo,sh 10 rhs >.Or

NSLoNAAL bEASh. va, May y.
"A plan to get the Governors Of
Maryland and Virginia together to
thrash out problems created by
slot machines and liquor sales Just
offShore has been advanced by
Mayor Norman Brewington.
He said he would ask the Town
Council at its meeting Thursday
night to call on Gov. Battle Of Vir-
ginia and Gov. Lane OF Maryland
to see if something can be done.
AT the same time, aroused
church and civic leaders plan to
so before the Council. Some think
they have an answer.
Vessel Creates Problem.
The problem was climaxed over
the week end with the arrival OF
the l00-foot- long vessel. Pleasure
Island, which dropped anchor
about 800 yards offshore from the
center Of town. The operators plan
to install slot machines and sell
liquor by the drink-both banned
by Virginia-under the laws OF
Maryland, which controls the Po-
tomac River to the low-water
mark on the Virginia shore.
So far. town officials have no
plan to halt operations on the piers
which jut out over Maryland
waters.
Some residents feel, however,
that pollution laws may be used to
prevent the ship from operating.
This idea may be put before the
council. If the ships owners are
unable to provide satisfactorily for
sewage disposal, some believe the
State of Maryland or the Federal
Government should be asked to
order the vessel removed as .
source OF pollution In the river.
The Pleasure Island, being
readied for the resort season OPEN
ing May 80, will be several days
behind the four slot machine es-
tablishments on the wharf ends.
One began operations Saturday,
two are ready for customers and
the fourth, a combined liquor and
slot machine emporium, is due to
open Friday.
Licenses Issued.
Licenses for 10 slot machines at
each Of three pier heads have been
issued by the Circuit Court clerk
for Charles County, Md. All were
obtained by Clarence R. Cough of
Newburg.
Charles County authorities.
watching across-river DEVELOPMENT
today began considering the polio.
ing problem.
1t will be up TO Charles County.
they agree, to keep order since
the whole scheme depends on the
premise that Maryland owns the
Potomac to the low-water mark
on the Virginia shore. All OF the
pier heads. housing slot machines,
are over Maryland water.
Just how to police to the ship
ana piers is causing Charles
County some concern. A sugges-
ton has been made. an informed
source said. that the county en-
ploy bouncers to toss offenders
across the Virginia line.
Sees Lane Morally Obligated"
Mayor Brewington believes Gov.
Lane is morally obligated" TO
clear out gambling so close TO a
Virginia community.
He also has a plan Of attack
which involves the possibility Of
cutting off the ship to-shore shut
tie service proposed by the boat
owners to get customers aboard.
Town officials expect Frank
Tins OF Newport News, head OF
the corporation which owns the
vessel. to ask the Coun-
ell Thursday for permission to
use the municipal pier for the
service. Mayor Brewing
ton believes the Council will turn
down this request.
Two other piers. Mr.. Brewing
ton said last night. are on mu-
nicipal property. and he believes
the town can stop taxiboat serv-
ice from these locations also.
AS for the piers not located on
town property, Mr.. Brewington
hopes he has the answer there,
too.
Some of these house slot ma
chimes and the Mayor doesn't
think their proprietors will well
come the competition which the
boat apparently intends to fur
nish. There are others, however.
that operate only as fishing boat
loadingS.