Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-06
THE WINTHROP CLUB RAID.
Manager James Held In $500 to Await the
Action of the Grand Jury.

Saturday night Lieut.. Kelly, Sergeant Byrnes
and Detective Block led squad of policemen
to the rooms of the Winthrop Club over the
fruit store corner Pennsylvania avenue and
9Th street and interrupted game Of poker.
Henry Randolph, who was in charge Of the
rooms at the time Of the raid, was required to
deposit 500 collateral Several persons in
the place were summoned as Witnesses.
The officers took possession of cards and chips
and the literary part of the club. which con-
sisted of several news and sporting papers, and
also a copy of Hoyle on games
Yesterday in the Police Court John James, the
alleged manager of the club, was charged with
setting up a gaming table and Samuel Gassen-
beimer, who has charge of the premises, was
under his control. The defendants were repre-
scented by Mr.. c. Maurice Smith.
THE LITERATURE CAPTURED.
When Lieut. Kelly was sworn as a witness he
told Of the raid and showed nearly peck of
chips and cards that we're found in the rooms
He said that there were two tables. commonly
known ~ poker tables in the rooms Detect We
Block gave similar testimony.
Geo. W. Krauskopf said that he became
member of the club about two years ago. Wit
ness could no. tell the names of the officers Of
the club. He said that the fees were 30 cents
q month ago, but he could not tell how long
ago it tina. ne paid any dues. Witness said
ne joined the club to go there and read and
pass away the time. Sometimes he plays
chips 70 the man who has been appointed treas
urer for the particular night. He never gave
the same man the money on more than one occa-
sion
had NO TINE FOR LITERARY EXERCISES.
The next witness. named McAllister, gave
his name as George Me3laster. He testified that
ne had been in the club rooms about five
times Witness said that the money taken
ouI of the kitty" he understood went toward
paying for lunch. He remembered seeing Mr..
James there on one occasion. Witness
said he was elected member
of the club and he paid 81
as initiation fee. He Joined the club at the
poker every time he went to the rooms
ibid you ever indulge in any literary exer-
cises!" asked the court.
NO. sir, replied the witness. Il never had
time"
Witness said he bought $40 worth of chips
Saturday night
1hos. Jacobs also gave evidence. He thought
that Ar. James was president of the club and
Mr.. Flaherty was secretary. Witness said that the
club takes many papers and they are afterward
sent out to Soldiers Home. He became a Mem
Der Of the club after it was Incorporated, and
he. therefore. could not tell why the club
incorporated.
Henry Randolph. coiored porter of the club,
was next called and questioned rs to his duties
in the rooms and also as to what disposition
was made Of TIE chips.
Richard Jones. another member Of the club,
gave evidence and the government closed the
case.
Mr. Smith argued for an acquittal of James,
In whose case the testimony lad been taken.
JUDGE MILLER's COMMENTS.
Judge Miller, commenting on the case, said
that If it was shown that gaming table had
been set up this boomerang of an incorporation
cut only the figure of making
every member of the club liable
The judge wanted to know what difference it
made whether a man elected to gamble
or whether he was persuaded to go in
and play. In conclusion Judge
every man who entered these games
and put chips in the box which were afterward
taken out to pay for the outfit of the room is
hable under the law. Il know" said the court,
s'that it is a radical stand, but in my opinion
II is the law"
The defendant was held in $500 bonds to
await the action of the grand jury.
The charge against Mr.. Gassenheimer was
abandoned.