Evening star., 1951-04-02
FEC Appears Tabled
For Task Of Policing
Race Wire Services

The Federal Communications
Commission today appeared
tabled for the task of policing
racing wire services for book
makers and other illegal opera
tions. 5jt'@ @@
AS the Senate Crime Investigat-
ing Committee prepared to submit
legislation designed to outlaw
transmission of racing news for
Illegal purposes. Chairman Ke-
fauver said he thought the en-
forcement could be handled by the
FEC.
Such legislation, Senator Ke-
fauver said, probably will be the
most important recommendation
that will be submitted by his COM
mlttee as result of IL months of
investigating interstate crime,
gambling and racketeering.
Opposed by FEC Chief.
He told reporters the policing
task, if Congress enacts the nee
essary legislation, should go to
the FEC despite the objections of
Chairman Wayne Coy that the
FEC is not administratively
equipped for the task. Mr.. Coy
has advocated an outright ban
on transmission of such informa-
ton as track odds, price and other
information that could figure in
bets, with the enforcement in the
hands of the Justice Department.
Senator Kefauver amplified his
views on outlawing racing news
service in a television program
yesterday in which he described
Continental Press, the country's
major racing news service, as
Public Enemy No. L." This wire
service has figured largely in the
committees investigation.
Senator Kefauver said the FEC,
II given the authority for licens-
ing such wire services, could "sim-
ply say that any service pri-
marily for the purpose of carry
ing information upon which
wagers can be based shall not be
allowed to operate"
Other Statements Quoted.
Senator Kefauver appeared on
MICS meet the Press" program
and in other statements said:
l. That the committees in
qu1ry revealed definite connec-
ton between New York's Tam
many Hall and gangsters and
crooked politicians.
2. That the Democratic Ma
tional Committee could do some
thing" about that situation and
that "good Democrats in New
York" who are members of Tam
many Hall "are doing something
about it themselves"
3. That he would not vote now
Tor the confirmation as Ambassa-
dor to Mexico of former New York
Mayor William O'Dwyer, who fig
ured in the committees sensa-
tlonal New York hearings
Hits Luciano Pardon.
Senator Kefauver, however, re-
FUSED to say whether he thought
MIR. O'Dwyer should withdraw as
Ambassador. He pointed out that
the matter which the committee
touched on in New York current
1y is being investigated by al
Brooklyn grand jury.
Senator Kefauver also said he
thought Charles lucky Luciano,
deported vice figure, did not give
enough information during the
war to justify Gov. Dewey of New
York IN pardoning him.
But manifestly," he added |
1--WE didn't have the benefit of /
all the testimony on Gov. Dewey'sE
side of the controversy so I'm in |
no position to pass final judg-
ment."
Senator Kefauver said Luciano.
who was serving a 80 to so year
sentence when pardoned, still
does have considerable influence
with racketeers in America" Butt
he added that the exiled czarI
docs not have the big influence
he is sometimes said to have"
Senator Kefauver was asked
about complaints in some quarters
that his investigation has been
hurting the Democratic Party.
Called Good for Party.
L do not think our investiga-
tion has hurt the Democratic
Party in the long rum" he replied.
I'VE have undoubtedly done some
harm in particular spots, but Il
think that any party that recog-
nizes there is difficulty in the
country and tries to do something
about it that in the long run
1t is good for the party"
With three of the other four
members of his committee Sena-
tor Kefauver also was interviewed
by Correspondent Blair Moody inI
his weekly Meet Your Congress"
program over WINK and other
stations. In this program Senator
kefauver said one of the main
things disclosed by the committee
was that an economic as we'll asI
a moral question was involved I'M
widespread gambling-a question
affecting the cost of food, clothing
and other things people must buy /
Senator Hunt, Democrat, of
Wyoming said the committee had
received 10000 letters urging it's