The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-01-21
NO POLICY In HODOKEN.
How Poke" Was Cut Short
Suddenly and Without
Notice.
1T WAS A TOUGH JOB
But Drastic Measures We're
Promptly Taken-John Yeck's
Sidewalk Game.
T WAS A TOUGH JOB

The policy dealers of Hoboken havs
pooled their issues and are making all
sorts of threats against the OnorIe Sinatco
Stanton, who has so far been very sue
cessful in keeping them closed. The
police for time We're disposed to be
lenient towards the policy men, but were
brought up with sharp turn, and now
it is almost impossible to play ''gig" in
Hoboken.
The manner in which this condition
was brought about is interesting. About
a month ago the policy evil was at its
height. Almost every cigar store in the
lower part OF Hoboken served as blind
for den in the rear. Some dealers.
bolder than the rest, did not attempt con-
cealment, but hired vacant stores and
offered every inducement. 1t is estimat-
ed that at one time there were at least
one hundred shops in the city. Then it
was that the unexpected order went out
to the police to raid the dens. The police
did 80, but the shops were only closed
temporarily. The dealers gave bail for
the Grand Jury, reopened their dens, and
laughed at the effort.
But Chief Donovan was summoned and
told that the policy dens must remain
ClOccu cNcu IL III WdS u6CGbSdEy W bbhLiOu
policeman in front of every shop and
arrest anyone who attempted to sell
gig.
THE HINT ACTED UPON.
Chief Donovan at once stationed patrol
men in front of each of the big dens.
One of the biggest games was con-
Quoted on Newark street between Clinton
and Grand streets by fellow named
Muldoon. In front of this place police
man walked up and down all day. All
of the small fry dealers became alarmed
and did not dare to open and for q few
days it was impossible to play poke" in
HoboKen.
One day, shortly after the first of the
month Onorle Sindaco Stanton, while
standing on the back platform of Grove
street car, noticed women and children
entering Muldoon's den. He also noticed
that the patrolman had been Withdrawn.
He went Immediately to his Office in the
City Hall and summoned the heads of
the Police Department before him and
wanted to know why the policeman had
been Withdrawn from Muldoon's place.
1t was impossible to fix the responsible
ity. 1t was stated in extenuation that
the tours of duty had been changed on
the first of the month and the new man
was not instructed. The next day
patrolman was again stationed in front of
Muldoon's and the other dens,
Some days ago the men were again
Withdrawn, but this time by permission.
Chief Donovan explained that he was
short of men and the withdrawal of t he
officers upon the Chief aagreeing to in
struct his detectives to arrest any of the
dealers when they reopened, was agreed
| TO. The dens are still closed.
YECK NOT TAKING PLAYS THEN.
Several Of the small fry dealers are
| making books on the quiet, but 1t Is inn
| possible to catch them.
A few days ago Detectives Gallagher
and Goode. while making their rounds,
engaged in conversation with John Yeck,
former policy player. While the detec-
| tives were talking Yeck seemed to be un-
easy. A little fellow ran up to Yeck. and
handing him five cents, said:-"Johnny,
me mudder wants de drunken gigW
Johnny turned pale. The detectives
smiled significantly. Presently Johnny
recovered sufficiently to say to the boy
that he was not taking plays. The little
fellow said:-"Hully gee." and walked
awSv.