Evening star., 1951-03-06
PrinceGeorges
Slot Machine
Bill Proposed
Measure Presented
To Legislators at
State House Session
By J. L. MichoeI
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ByJ. |. Michael
Sfor Stoff Correspondent
ANNAPOLIS, Mar. 6.-Prince
Georges legislators have under
study a proposal to revive a slot
machine bill which the county's
small businessmen claim would
produce an annual revenue of
$637.537.
The proposed bill is designed to
correct the title of an act passed
in 1949 and voided by the courts
because it labeled the devices
amusement" instead of gam
bling" devices.
It retains clauses of the old
statute which banned one armed
bandits and prohibited play by
minors but added new provisions
which would open the way for
various games Of chance not per-
mitted in the invalidated bill.
Would Authorize Bingo.
The liberalizing sections would
allow fraternal, religious, char
liable, civic. education or veterans
organizations to operate bingo,
raffies and bazaar type games
offering awards" not exceeding
$100 in value.
Leonard H. Burch and John D.
Stancliff, co-chairmen of the
county Small Businessmen's Com
mittee. presented the proposal to
the Republican-controlled dele
cation at meeting at the State
House last night.
They said legalized slot ma
chimes would reduce the county's
$1.90 tax rate 25.5 cents and would
cut 1927 off the bill of every tax
payer. They based their esti-
mates on a population of 193,799
an annual budget of IS million
and $3.50 million tax base.
Revenues from slot machines in
Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles
and st. Marys Counties-the only
Maryland counties in which they
are legal-total $574,00O, Mr..
Burch said.
Possibilities for Schools.
He told the delegation that with
its expected income from the
devices Prince Georges could build
two new elementary schools each
year, or add 80 new classrooms, or
pay the salaries of 200 school
teachers, or educate 1884 children
from kindergarten through high
school.
You are pointing up one of
the real slot machine evils, "
interjected Delegate William r.
Hughes. Republican. THAT is the
fact that the economy Of South
ern Maryland is being built on
the sands of gambling.
Meanwhile. the University of
Maryland was one step nearer to
victory in a fight for authority
to finance campus buildings with
lOo OW1l UOllu Issues.
A bill giving the university such
powers moved to third reading in
the Senate in a voice vote after
an opposition measure was de-
feated, 20-8.
Authority to sell bonds to build
student union, physical education,
sorority and fraternity houses
costing 81 million was granted by
the last Legislature but the bill
was considered defective.
Senator Crothers. Democrat, of
Cecil County, introduced new bill
at this session and Senator Hoff
Republican, of Carroll County, Of
ferred another which would have
revoked the authority.
DR.. H. c. Byrd, the university
president, kept a sharp eye on the
proceedings from favorite spot
in the gallery.
Prince Georges Bills Passed.
The Senate passed and sent to
the Governor a group of Prince
Georges bills which would:
Authorize the town of Brent
wood to borrow up to $4,000 for
a new flrehouse.
Increase the maximum property
tax in Bowie from 80 to 60 cents
on each 500 of assessed valuation.
Authorize the town of Berwyn
Heights to borrow the mainte-
nance and construction of streets,
subject to a referendum.
Provide for a referendum in
Brentwood on the question of in
creasing compensation of the
Mayor and councilmen and the
town election supervisors.
Increase the number of Uni
versity Park councilmen from five
to seven, increase the number of
town wards from four to seven and
raise the maximum tax rate from
so to rs cents.
Advance the maximum pay of
the Prince Georges County court