Evening star., 1951-08-25
Crothers Urges
Stronger Laws 10
Curb Gambling
State Senator Moves
TO Bolster Maryland
Enforcement

enforcement
Al leading Maryland legislator
today advocated changes in State
laws to strengthen the hand of
local enforcement authorities IN
q drive against organized gam
bling.
This stand was announced by
State Senator Omar d. Crothers,I
jr., after q committee Of which he|
is chairman had completed a one
day study of crime in Southern
Maryland. It came in the wake
of sensational disclosures before
the Senate Crime Committee, ]
which spurred Investigations into
gaming both in the District and
Prince Georges County.
Senator Crothers said he be-
lieves the Maryland laws can be
modified to help eliminate con-
ditions that have have put some
Maryland communities in an un-
favorable light. He did not spec
ify what revisions he would SUPP
port, and he emphasized that he
spoke only for himself, and not
for the committee as a whole.
The Senator said. however. that
he had in mind a revision Of the
Bouse Act, which prohibits the
use Of evidence obtained as the
result of illegal searches.
Would Indict Nelson.
At public session yesterday
in Annapolis, the Crothers Com
mittee was told that Prince
Georges County will ask the in
dictment of Charles E. Nelson On
charges of attempting to bribe
three county officials. States At
torney Carlyle j. Lancaster said
this action will be taken before
the October grand jury.
Nelson, who lives in nearby
Ritchie, Md, and operates the
North Beach amusement cenAss
known as Uncle Billie's, admitted
to the Senate probers early this
month that he had backed a num-
bers operation. Later. Sheriff
Carleton Beall Of Prince Georges
told the Senators that Nelson re-
GENTLY tried to bribe him in return
for police protection in the county
The sheriff said Nelson offered him
I$15.O 900 a month, to be split be-
tween himself. the States attor-
ney and Police Chief F. Allen
Richards.
| Mr.. Lancaster told the State in
vestigators yesterday that Nelson,
Operations in Prince Georges art
a negligible part of the estimated
Sc million business he is supposed
to conduct in Maryland, the Dis
trict and Virginia.
One Phase Of Investigation.
Mr.. Lancaster also said the In
|vestigation Of Nelson and the al
LEGGED bribe constitute but on,
phase of the county's current in
vestigation. He said the Octobe
grand jury will be supplied will
much evidence Of gambling.
Senator CrotherS explained that
while his committee wants to iln
cover crime where it exists, thI
primary objective is to recommend
Legislation that will help to remov,
it.
He said his committee is par
ticularly interested in a propose
made yesterday by Daniel Wise
man, chief Of police at the Uni
versity Of Maryland. Mr.. Wise
man urged that the State estab
lish a central bureau of crimins
records, which would contain in
formation readily available to a
law-enforcement authorities.
Wider Activity Urged.
This was about the only sue
gestion made yesterday that ha
not been advanced at earlier CON
mittee hearings in other commun
ties. Among those made befol
was one for the Maryland Sta
police to take more active part
combating crime. Several wi
: nesses said the State police a.
: !. concerned principally with traff
:, matters.
II Mr.. Lancaster. proposed the es
4 tablishment of a rowing racks
" squad by Maryland State polio
= but said the squad should 60 int
4 a county only when asked by loci
IofficialS.
: A surprise appearance was mac
- yesterday by Mrs. Anna T. dolly
~ Keleher. estranged wife of job
: (Blackjack) Keleher, who hs
= been identified with gambling az
= tivities in the Metropolitan arei
She was introduced by Delegat
'riWilliam r. (Huck) Hughes {
Prince Georges as the wife of "or
y of the biggest gamblers in tn
- country"
70 Public Disclosure Rejected.
Mr.. Hughes said Mrs. Kelehe
could tell the committee just ho'
,el her husband had operated i
n Maryland.
WI The legislators declined to hes
lher in public session because he
l. remarks might tip the hand Of pc
,eIlice in current Investigations an
because of her marital trouble
lg One committee member said ST
is might be motivated by spite"
r After a closed session, Senate
re Crothers said the committee ha
re advised Mrs. Keheler to tell HI
story to the States attorneys (
s-IPrince Georges County and Bait
more City. He told reporters
le was logical to deduce that she ha
some gambling figure
" lin Baltimore.
Spokesman for Prince George
and Anne Arundel Counties cor
ceded there is some gambling
their areas but declared progres
is being made to eradicate it.
States Attorney j. c. Morto
of Anne Arundel said he though