Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-27

Tavern Keeper
Convicted in
Youth Driinkino
Verdict Inspires
Cruckdown by
Spots in St.Muys
BY J. L. Michoel
Stov S,off coyresponden4


LEoNARDTowN, Md, Mar.
27-Charles w. Holden, one Of
seven st. Marys County tavern
keepers named in indictments
stemming from a feud between
Radio Commentator Fulton
Lewis, jr., and Republican poll
ticianS, today awaits sentencing
on jury's findings that liquor
was furnished to minors in his
Tall Timbers teen-age rendez-
vous.
Mr.. Holden, 80, was convicted
yesterday of one count of the in
dictment. He was acquitted of
the second count, charging sale
to minors.
The all-male jury deliberated
for only 20 minutes before hand
ing in its verdict to Chief Circuit
Judge John B. Gray, jr.. and
Associate Judge j. Dudley Digges.
The court withheld imposition
Of penalty and did not set a
sentencing date.
May Appeal Later.
Defense counsel said they will
await sentence before deciding
whether the case will be ap-
pealed.
The defendant. with other in
dictments alleging similar Of
lenses still pending against him,
faces possible penalties on
yesterdays conviction of a 81 900
fine or two years Imprisonment
or both.
Maryland law considers selling
or furnishing liquor to minors
equally reprehenSible and pro-
vides the same penalties for both.
Mr.. Holden's conviction also
means the County Liquor Board,
under mandatory law. must
summon him to show cause why
his license should not be sus-
pended or revoked.
Immediately after the Jury
returned its findings, telephone
lines to liquor spots throughout
the county hummed with calls
advising a clampdown such as
seldom has been seen in these
parts.
Arrest of Youths Urged.
Tavern keepers also were urged
to seek arrests of teen-agers who
try to buy liquor in taverns or
bring such contraband with
them, under a st. Marys County
law which forbids minors to buy
alcoholic beverages or have them
in their possession.
Four teen-agers, three boys
and a girl, testified that an un-
identified waitress sold them il
legal drinks or delivered banned
beverages to their table last Au-
gust in Mr.. Holden's tavern, a
favorite Saturday night gather
ing place for dancing youth.
There was no evidence that
Mr.. Holden participated in the
illegal acts or had any knowledge
of them. Defense counsel, with
jurors excluded from the court
room, argued that, under such
circumstances, their client could
not be held legally accountable.
But the court ruled that, under
Maryland liquor statutes, Ii
censees are responsible for illegal
acts of their employees.
No-Service Order Cited.
States Attorney Joseph A.
Mattingly and Special Prosecutor
John H. T. Briscoe contended
that testimony given by the
teen-agers proved that liquor
was sold or delivered to youths
in Mr.. Holden's tavern on sew
eral occasions last summer.
Mr.. Holden told the court and
jury he had ordered his en-
ployeS not to serve strong drinks
to minors or permit them to con-
sumo alcoholic beverages on his
premises.
He said he had caught some of
the boys who gave evidence yes
terday with cans of beer and
that one had a fifth of gin under
the table.
II ordered them out" Mr..
Holden. declared, land was
roundly cursed by the boys and
sailors at a nearby table"