Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-02-06
Hughes Drafting
Bill 10 Make
|Gamb|ingFe|ony
Maryland Measure
Aims to Put Any One
Convicted Behind Bars
BY J. B. Zotmon
Stor Stoff Coyresnondeps

stor Siaff Correspondent.
ANNAPOLIS, Feb. 6.-Persons
convicted of gambling in Maryland
would face mandatory prison SEN
fences under legislation being
drafted by Delegate William R.
(HUck) Hughes, Republican. of
Prince Georges County.
Explaining that the bill would
make gambling a felony instead of
a misdemeanor, as at present, Mr..
Hughes said:
my aim is to put all convicted
gamblers behind bars, for a pos
sible maximum term of five years. q"
The Prince Georges Delegate,
who campaigned on an anti
gambling platform last year, said
that under the present law, courts
have authority to impose either a
fine of up to $1,000 or ilnprison-
ment in gambling cases.
Hate to Go to Jail.
Usually, however, all they get Is
fine" he declared, land they
don't mind paying that. But they
hate to go to jail. Under my bill,
gamblers, when convicted, would
be taken out of circulation for a
long time"
He added the stiff penalty also
would serve as a warning to out
of-State gamblers Ito stay out OF
Maryland and Prince Georges
County in particular" He said
seveT2- other States have similar
Il v's.
Mr.. Hughes said he is continu-
ing his efforts to have the Senate
Crime Investigating Committee
come into Prince Georges County.
He said Chairman Kefauver has
informed him the committee is
doubtful whether it can comply
with his request because of pre-
viouS commitments and because
it is scheduled to wind up its
activities February %.
Four Bills Introduced.
But Mr.. Hughes said that if the
committees life is extended, there
is a good chance" the group
would launch an inquiry into
crime in his county.
The Prince Georges County del
egation last night introduced four
bills. They would:
l. Give HyattSville officials ad-
ditional authority to make alley
and storm drainage improvements,
subject to referendum.
2. Revise the Seat Pleasant
charter, including an increase in
the number of councilmen from
five to seven. establishment of five
wards for the election of council
members, and an increase in the
bonded debt limit, all subject to a
referendum.
3. Authorize Bladensburg to
annex territory provided the move
is approved in a referendum. The
area to be annexed would have
to nave at least 1000 residents.
4. Empower Bladensburg off,
Gals to condemn unsafe or in
sanitary buildings.
Would Extend Boundaries.
Prince Georges Delegate Albert
r. Hassall. Republican, introduced
a bill to extend the Capitol Heights
boundaries, while Delegates John
F. Lillard, jr., Republican, and
Perry o. Wilkinson, Democrat,
both of Prince Georges County,
backed q measure which would
exempt stock inventories Of bust
nessmen from State taxes.
Some businessmen have COM
planned that taxes on stock which
they have on hand for couple
of years eat up profits by the time
the merchandise is sold.
House Speaker Luber intro
duced a bill to impose a manda-
tory prison term of 5 to 20
years for supplying a minor with
narcotic drugs.
Delegate Cardin, Democrat, of
Baltimore also introduced a bill
relating to teen-agerS. His would
raise the minimum age of grant,
ing automobile driving licenses
from 16 to Is years.