Evening star., 1951-01-03
Barrett Expects
Gambling Law
To Hit Big Shots
Broader Measure
Will Allow Arrest
Without Warrants
By Mirium Ottenbero

By Miriam Gutenberg
Police Chief Robert j. Barrett
predicted today that proposed new
anti-gambling laws would make it
possible for police to arrest big
shot gamblers.
The special House District SUBJ
committee investigating crime
and its punishment here yester-
day sharply criticized the
charmed existence" of top gam
blers.
At the same time. the subcom-
mittee's chairman, Representa-
tive Davis, Democrat, of Georgia,
broad crime e-curbing
bill that would allow police to ar
rest without a warrant ii they
have probable cause to believe a
person is carrying numbers slips.
The bill also woud provide for
confiscation of money. autos or
other personal property used in
fAO4oOA1S SdA11l1S laws.
Barrett Praises Move.
'"The big fellows" said Maj.
Barrett, don't go in a place
where there's gambling. They'll
wait in a legitimate business
place till their men come in and
hand them the slips and money.
With this law. we'd have a chance
to connect them up with gam
bling.
"And if we get a law to seize
their cars and money, we can
break them"
The report combined its criti-
cisms of the inadequacy of law
enforcement here with recon-
mendations for administrative
changes and new legal measures
to tighten up on crime. The re-
port and proposed bill drew a
mixed reaction from public Of
ficials.
Chief Judge Bolitha j. Laws
of District Court said a three
judge committee had been given
a preview of the proposals
and in most cases approved. The
judges, however, differed on some
provisions, he said, particularly
the ones for mandatory minimum
sentences for certain offenders.
Reasons for Opposition.
The judges opposed the required
because they wanted to
follow the pattern of other Fed
eral Courts. because they felt the
forced minimums deprived them
of the latitude they needed and
because they feared these sem
tences might interfere with the
provisions of the Youth Offender
Act.
The congressional report was
highly critical of the complaint
room" where Assistant United
States attorneys screen arrests
and decide whether cases should
be taken into court. The sub
committee contended the judges
should decide the disposition of
these cases.
United States Attorney George
Morris Fay said it would be i'm
possible to close the complaint
room" at once, and he didn't be-
tieve the subcommittee intended
that step should be taken immedi-
ately. He said he woud confer
with Chief Judge George P. Barse
of Municipal Court as a result
of the subcommittee recon-
mendation.
Lack of Training Deplored.
The subcommittee also deplored
the lack of training and refresher
courses given police as we'll as
the inadequate numbers of pa
trolmen walking beats, particu-
larly during the night hours when
the greatest number of crimes are
committed.
He also said the reason the
fewest number of men were
at night was because
Of the demands on police during
daylight hours when children are
going to and from school, traffic
is heavy, the most people are on
the street. businesses are open
and money is being taken to and
from banks.
Urges More Inspectors.
AS for the firm recommended
ion of the subcommittee for an
Inspector to head the vice squad
IS a curb on gambling, Maj. Bar
'ett said that was impossible until
more inspectors were authorized.
AS for the proposed new laws,
Maj. Barrett particularly praised
he one allowing police to arrest
persons found in gambling places.
He said he believed it would dis
courage the customers from pa
such places if they
Knew they could be punished by
up to a year or a
inc up to $500 or both.
Maj. Barrett also hailed the
sitter penalties, the
reports to police from
'ther law enforcement agencies
md the proposed mobile crime
laboratory. With the latter, he
aid, police could take all their
equipment to the scene, could
Eliminate the need for robbery
nd housebreaking complainants
ONE to headquarters and could
ick up possible clues more swiftly.
Police Pay Raises Urged.
Police were naturally pleased
t Mr.. Davis announced intention
+ introducing bill to raise police
alaries. The bill would raise the
alary of the police chief to S13,-
90, the deputy chief or executive
fflcer to $10,500, the chief of
electives to $500, the chief in
pectors to $4,000.
The other proposed pay raises
'ould mean $4,000 for other in
pectcrs. $500 for captains.
E00 foy. 1;o,,foro~4c Ar nm e.