The Washington critic., 1886-09-18
POOL-ROOM PROFITS.
A Big Business and the System O.
Which 1t Is Run.

"hiCh IL Is Nuus
The growth of a love of sport has
been more noticeable in the last ten or
fifteen years than ever before in the
history of the United States, not ex.
cepting the famous running races be-
tween the best horses from the North
and South. In order to keep up with
this interest 1t has been found neces.
sary to open pool.rooms all over the
country to accommodate patrons of
sporting events who are desirous of
backing their favorites with ready
cash. For many years Washington
was without resort of this kind, but
last season this was provided by the
enterprise of Messrs. Orlando Jones
and John Tally, who opened pool
room in the old Jenness House billiard
room, adjoining the National Theatre,
and 1t has been regular gold mine to
the promoters of the scheme. Young
Jones, when he first suggested the
plan. was laughed at by his elder
brothers, who had always been prom
inently identified with sporting matters
at the Capital, but Mr.. Tally was more
far seeing, and readily embarked his
capital in the speculation. "Jones &
Co.." as the m jdest red sign n the
pool room is inscribed, ha1 monop.
oily of horse racing and bookmaking
here last season, but with the spring
of 1856 came three new aspirants for
patronage, Mahoney 81 Co., Nandegrift
Il Co. and Jimmie James, all of whom
are doing well.
when we opened business" said
Lander Jones, as he IL best known all
over the country, Tally and myself had
bank account of 80 900 aud the roll of
the house in the vest pocket of my
partner was $4,000, making our total
capital invested $4,000 Luck fol-
lowed us all last year, and we did not
have to touch our original stake, which
still lies encased.in brown envelope
in safe bank, and we have come to
regard 1t as genuine mascot. Long
odds tempted great many betters last
year.. and of course this Injured to our
advantage, but now the people are bet
ter educated, and it frequently happens
that with field of ten horses not more
than two will have any money risked
on them. Once in while some
fellow hits us hard, and yes
,erday rival claimant, for
luNOI hlDlNu uS Oul VI tel,cvu ol u
two.horse combination, That reminds
me that Baltimore talent has been
pretty lucky in betting this year, and
| it was because Baltimore man bet
certain way that Mahoney came up to
our house TO get square. All the pool
buyers know the Baltimoreans, and 1t
| is comical, sometimes, to witness the
eagerness Of the crowd to follow what
they think is lucky man. No matter
what horse the Baltimorcan selects the
crowd will follow him blindly, and, in
many cases, overlook horses that were
their first choice. 1t is rather eXpen-
slvc business. but 1t has paid Tally and
myself very handsomely. would not
like to give the exact figures, but
hope our luck will continue"
The Jones Boys undoubtedly
thought well of their youngest
brothers scheme, for this year
popular Nit Jones Of the billiard
room over the National Theatre has
joined Orlando and Tally, aud Ned
Jones is associated with Vandegrift
over the Chesapeake. Special wires and
telephones connect Mahoney, Vande.
grlft and Jones, and their correspond
el Is at the various tracks keep them
fully informed of all that Is likely to
Interest the betting fraternity. The
odds offered are about the same as at
The tracks and two dispatches are sent
concerning betting, the first being the
opening bids of The day, and the
second about fifteen minutes later so
that people can form good idea of
the Standing of the horses before the
race is begun. Since the enforcement
of the laws against pool.scllng and
bCokmaking in New York great deal
of money has been diverted to this
city and The pool-rooms daily fill nu.
mcrous orders form New York. Phila.
delphia and Baltimore, hundreds of
thousands of dollars being circulated
every season by eager investors at good
odds. 1t rarely happens that the pool,
rooms suffer, however, for in making
up books the pfoprietors usually ar.
range il that their percentage shall he
sure, and by this arrangement they
can afford TO keep Open pay expenses
ard have handsome surplus every
season,