Operators of pinball machines today face the first round of a battle which may lead to banning the machines in Cambridge.

At 3 p.m. this afternoon in the City Council chambers, the Council's committee on ordinances will hold a public hearing on proposals for legislation to prohibit pinball machines. Instigator of the drive is Councilor Joseph A. DeGuglielmo '29, who sees the machines as "a source of vice and evil in the community."

DeGuglielmo has said that he is not worried about college students playing the machines but feels that in the community at large they attract crowds of teen-agers and tend to encourage juvenile delinquency. He started the drive with a Council order early in March asking the City Solictor to prepare legislation for banning the machines.

After nearly a month had passed and no word on the matter came from the Solicitor's office, DeGuglielmo introduced another order stating "that it is the considered policy of the City Council" that the use of coin-operated machines (except vending machines and juke boxes) be prohibited.

Order Referred to Committee

Action on this order was held up in the Council and finally referred to the ordinance committee, of which DeGuglielmo is chairman.

DeGuglielmo said that his campaign has already brought him messages of congratulation and approval from many Cambridge citizens, especially parents. He also appears to have won some Council support for his drive, though other Councilors have expressed a desire to hear what pinball operators have to say in defense of the machines.