Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-05-31
WheotIey Bill
To Take Effect
At Midnight
By GENE GOODWIN

4AC muC1l-PuDllClESQ WnedLIcy
bill aimed at restricting pinball
machine gambling in Prince
Georges County takes effect at
midnight tonight.
But how much use it will be
Ito county law enforcement of
Ulcers seems to depend on a ruiz
ling expected soon from the
Supreme Court Of the United
States on an Illinois case.
The most significant provision
OF the new law, authorized by
State Senator H. Winship
Wheatley, jr.. Democrat Of
Prince Georges, would make
Federal gambling stamps prima
facie evidence that pinball ma
chimes were being used for
gambling.
A check last winter which led
Senator Wheatley to introduce
his bill in the 1857 Maryland
Legislature, showed that owners
Of about 400 pinball machines in
Prince Georges had purchased
!, $3.50 Federal gambling stamps
for the current fiscal year.
The purchases followed an
arrest by Federal tax agents of
a county tavern owner who had
made an over-the-counter pay
on to pinball machine player.
The Federal agents held that
such payoffs convert the pinball
machines into gambling appara-
Itus, which must carry the Fed
eral stamps.
Appeal Pending
However, an Illinois court re-
Gently ruled that the Federal
gambling stamp law was intend
ed to apply only to slot machines
and not to pinball machines.
The appeal from this ruling is
now pending before the Supreme
Court. according to Blair H.
Smith, States Attorney for
Prince Georges.
Mr.. Smith said the usefulness
of the Wheatley bill will depend
In great part on the Supreme
Courts decision.
In any event, though, he said
ut Is his opinion that most of
the pinball machine owners in
the county will not renew their
Federal gambling stamps for the
next fiscal year beginning July /.
Herman z. Greenland. chief
Of the intelligence division of
, the Internal Revenue Services
. Baltimore District ONCE, said
. his agents viii continue to check
pinball machines In Prince
Georges and the rest of
Maryland.
"As long as a machine pays
I oh-either directly or indirectly
our orders are that it must
have q Federal stamp" Mr..
Greenland said.
Provides $500 Fine
The new Prince Georges
County law increases the penalty
Of q 500 fine for a pinball
machine payoff to a maximum
of $500. six months in Jail or
both. 1t also provides for con-
lfiscation and destruction Of pin
ball machines being used for
gambling and for closing es-
adjustments where such ma
J chimes are so used.
A batch Of liquor bills, spon-
sored by the Prince Georges
delegates and aimed at tight
ening laws on Sunday sales and
other questionable liquor prac-
tees. take the effect Of law at
midnight tonight along with
these new laws:
/. A doubling Of the Mont
gomery County real estate rec
ordation tax of sl.l0 per $1,000.
2. A 50 Prince Georges County
tax on all real estate transfers,
to be added to the $l.l0 per
$1,000 the buyer now has to
purchase in State stamps.
3. Provision for staggered
terms on the Montgomery
County School Board, with all
seven members being reelected
in 1858. four for four-year terms
and three for two-year terms.
4. A third trial magistrate for
Prince Georges County to ham
die all juvenile cases until De-
, cember Is. 1858, when the
county Circuit Court is to as
: sumo that responsibility. Gov.
. McKeldin has not yet appointed
the third magistrate.
5. Authority for the Prince
, Georges County Commissioners
. to provide refuse collection serv-
! ices to unincorporated areas and
set up special taxing districts
for storm drainage projects.
J 6. Authority for the Prince
Georges County commissioners
) to establish a merit system for
county employees.
! z. Provision for a 10 per cent
! penalty for water bills not paid
to the Washington Suburban
Sanitary Commission after 30
days.