Evening star., 1950-01-29
.DavisUnit Meets
Tomorrow on
Gaming Probe
Crime Investigation
Due to Open Public
Hearings Next Week

Congressional investigators Of
District crime are shaping up a
gambling expose when public
hearings open. probably a week
from tomorrow.
Concerned about robberies aim
ed at prosperous gamblers,
charges of jury-tampering at
gambling trial and rumors of in
creased betting activity, House
District subcommittee will decide
tomorrow how far it should delve
into the problem.
Chairman Davis said the group
will get the facts from its chief
counsel, H. I. Fischbach, and then
determine whether to ask Con-
gress for additional funds to move
in on the rackets.
The subcommittee will go over
the entire scope of its far-reach-
ing program at the meeting set
for pm. tomorrow.
10 Days of Hearings Seen
"To completely document the
evidence in all phases of the in
vestigation will take at least 10
full days Of hearings" Mr.. Fisch-
bach said.
From the hearings are expected
to come recommendations which
may shake up judicial and ad-
ministrative procedure from the
police department to the Com
missioners.
Mr.. Davis yesterday took cog
nizance of allegations Of jury
tampering in last weeks trial Of
William (Snags) Lewis, Attilio
Acalotti and Frank Billeci, all con-
victed Of numbers game opera
tions.
when criminals become so
brazen as to tamper with juries
and interfere with the processes OF
the courts, things have reached
serious stage" he said. "The time
for coddling criminals and for
being lackadaisical about GRIM
inals has passed"
Urges Thorough Inquiry.
The former Georgia Superior
Court justice said that only thor
ough, efficient investigation OF
gambling would be worthwhile.
If the facts warrant such an in
quiry, it will be necessary ito seek
funds to augment the $4,000 al
lotted the subcommittee last ses-
sion.
The chairman said Mr.. Fisch-
bach had been asked to furnish
all available information on the
extent to which "the people are
being fieeced. the methods being
used, and whether local crime is
tied up in any national gambling
syndicates."
No phase of law enforcement Ii
expected to escape scrutiny Of the
subcommittee. Investigators have
been doing spadework since last
fall, setting up tentative list OF
reforms which they believe evi-
dence will support as necessary
through legislative and admins
trative correction.
A number of these were named
early in the investigation. Others
of more explosive nature are
yet to be disclosed.
Sharp Recommendations Due.
The committee is expected to
develop sharp recommendations as
to Juvenile Court procedure, lean
ing to a tougher attitude toward
perpetrators of vicious crimes.
It undoubtedly will produce evi-
dence pointing to a need for q
stricter firearms law and statutes
covering such offenses as abortion.
which now carries a relatively mild
penalty. Investigators early ex-
pressed determination to crack
down on habitual offenders.
AS the investigation moves
toward the open-hearing stage.
two of the three men convicted
last Thursday of numbers oper-
ations will seek bail in the United
States Court of Appeals. Lewis.
called a $4,000, ,000-a-year oper-
ator. and Billeci. described as his
runner" were denied freedom by
District Judge Alexander Holt
zof pending appeal.
Judge Holtzof said prosecutors
had informed him the defendants
had continued to run their game
after they were arrested and freed
on bail.