Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-07-21
Jingle of'SIots' Begins
To Worry Politicians

One third are found in the river
casinos.
= Maryland counties-especial-
O' ly those on the Eastern Shore
and in Southern Maryland-have
guarded zealously their local
rights not only in regard to liquor
and gambling but also as to the
licensing Of commercial fishermen
and oystermen operating in the
Chesapeake Bay and Potomac
River waters.
n But of prime concern to the
6s Governor. and to some extent
to the legislators who have criti-
cized the Governor in the present
verbal battle, is the issue of Vir-
inia-Maryland relations along
the Potomac.
River Stotus an Issue
Maryland is in peculiar posi-
ton.
She owns the Potomac but prior
to last June /. under the Compact
of 1875. she had given Virginia
equal rights to licensing and reg
ulation of the fishing, oystering
and grabbing industry in the river.
AS of June /, under legislation
passed by the 1857 General AS
sembly, Maryland abrogated the
compact and assumed full control
of the river.
Behind the drastic move were
numerous failures of the two
States to get together on laws on
the river, many aimed at con-
servation and protection of the
fish, oysters and crabs.
The legislators, touring the river
on the Governors yacht, were adj
vised by John P. Tawes, chairman
Of the Maryland Tidewater Fish
cries Commission, that the new
Setup was working like a charm"
Some Virginia fishermen, fearful
that they are being pushed of the
river by Maryland, however, are
not as happy as Mr.. Tawes. They
especially don't like buying both
Maryland and Virginia fishing
licenses.
States Fighters in both States
are well aware that failure Of the
two States to get along might
bring about Federal Intervention
and control of the river in its
entirety. Neither State would 90
for that.
This need for more friendly re-
lations between the two states is
seen as one basis for Gov. Nickel
din's statements basting
Charles County and chiding the
Legislative Council for not ham
ding the gambling and liquor is
sue separate from the fishing issue.
The governor feels the Southern
Maryland counties are deliberately
f1outing Virginia's laws by per-
hitting. casino operations separat-
ed by miles of water from Mary
land residents.
Some legislators said they saw
no difference between the casinos
and any other saloon or tavern
established close to a state or
county boundary to accommodate
thirsty residents from more re-
strictive areas a stones throw
away.
Educational Trip
Outside of saying they were
against any change in the local
option practice. however, the legis-
lators finished the tour without
reaching any major conclusion on
the gambling situation.
But they did pick UP a lot of
first-hand facts in their inspec-
tions of slot machine Ravens at
Colonial Beach.
Although most indicated the
places seemed to be we'll run. about
as far as they went publicly was
to blister House Majority Leader
A. Gordon Boone for scoring the
Colonial Beach casinos as shock
ing and appalling"
Some of the legislative party.
however, privately admitted they
were amazed at what they saw.
including babies parked on Pin
pail machines, a child squawling
IN a car and youngsters CRYING
and running loose while their
parents poured in the nickels.
Even some Of the local South
ern Maryland delegations off the
record admitted a lot of their
constituents were behind the
Governor in his protest.
One Washington area Demo-
crat said this week he feared the
Governor had a good thing which
could give the Democrats fits not
only in a general election, but in
their upcoming primary.
AS Senate Minority Leader
Harry T. Phoebus repeatedly
warned. the fight is a long way
from the final bell and if the
Legislative Council fails to come
up with a compromise that will
help sweeten overall Virginia
Maryland relations, the Cover
nor's administration is likely to
give them a clubbing at the Cen
eral Assembly session next Feb
rlIarv