Evening star., 1951-06-28
Reading, Pa, Open
To Gaming, Pastor
Tells Crime Inquiry

A clergyman told the Senate
Crime Investigating Committee
today that gambling with possible
Interstate connections is wide
spread. and OPEN in Reading, Pa.
The testimony was given by the
Rev. James D. Machette. pastor
Of q Reading Methodist Church,
as the committee began hearings
to show that organized crime
exists in the less populous as
well as the larger cities.
MFR. Machette said two book
making establishments. well
known to our people" operate in
Reading, one in "the shadow Of
the city hall ITSELF"
He also said the numbers racket
is "an open thing" and numbers
ARE written openly" In barber
shops small stores and other
places in the community of about
100000 people. Bingo games, slot
machines in the city's social clubs
and punch boards. the clergyman
testified, also are operated openly.
City Officials Accused.
The witness said church and
civic groups had been unsuccessful
In getting public officials to enforce
laws banning such gambling en-
terprises. He quoted the prosecut-
ing attorney and the Mayor of
Reading as taking the position
that gambling is a part of the life
of the community" and "a part of
the nature of our people"
At the outset of the hearing,
Chairman O'Conor pointed out
that hearings conducted by the
committee in the past have been,
with one exception, in the coun-
try's larger cities.
ITO dlspel any belief that may
exist that criminal syndicates op-
crate only in the larger cities"
Senator O'Conor said, "the COM
mittee has decided to inquire into
conditions prevailing in the less
populous cities for we believe that
the pattern of operations is the
same irrespective of the size of the
city"
Reading Selection Explained.
He explained that the selection
Of Reading as the first of the
cities for investigation did
not indicate conditions there were
worse than any other places and
added:
THE committee is presently
preliminary surveys in
some Of the other cities with the
possibility of further hearings if
information now being obtained
demonstrates the desirability of
such hearings"
Senator O'Conor said informa-
tion obtained by the committee
indicates the existence in Reading
of horse-betting places dependent
On Interstate racing wire ,ervice
rs well as the open operation of
slot machines. Two committee
Investigators have been at work in
Reading.
Mr.. Machette said punchboards
are openly displayed in many
Reading stores. and often a Gus
toners change is placed on them
as an invitation to play the
boards. Bingo games, he added.
are Openly advertised and openly
conducted"
Building Owners Questioned.
Other witness included Thomas
A. Williams, retired business
man, and Joseph Liever, real es-
tate. and insurance man, both of
Reading. They were questioned
about a building they bought to-
gether in 1916 in which, it was
testified, one of the booking estab-
lishments operated until the COM
nittee began its inquiry in Read
Ing.
Mr.. Williams said he knew
about the booking place in the
of the building, and
wanted it to stay. Where else
would I get $50 a month rent,"I
ne asked. Mr.. Lever told the
committee he had only helped
1nance the building, and was not
acquainted with the booking op-