Los Angeles herald., 1892-10-12
THE POLICE COMMISSIONERS,
Some Spicy Testimony About
Chinese Gambling.
Petitions and Saloon Licenses Which
We're Acted Upon.
The Chinese Bribery Gases Before the
Board-what mr.. Burns Knows
About Fan Tan Gamos
aad Their Hsbltues.

at tn6 mayors Onco ldsb oVoHlus, ono
the chair was filled by Mayor Hazard
Also present. Commissioners Snyder,
Mackey and Lewis.
PETITIONS AND APPLICATIONS.
The following matters were consid
cred: An application was filed from
George w. Butterfeld for the appoint
ment of special polics officer at Samp'
sons lum Der yard. Granted.
Giervan & Montague filed petition
for license to allow them to sell liquor
at retail, which was denied, after which
the routine Of work WAS taken up and q
number of bills allowed for labor anc
supplies.
THE CHINESE GAMBLING CASES.
Chief Glass rendered his usual report
in the course of which he certified that
he had sum moned Messrs Platt and ex-
Chief Burns to appear before the board
as witnesses in the Chinese gam blin 6
cases.
Mr.. Burns, being present, said he was
chief OF police formerly of the city OF
Los Angeles, and during which time the
Chinese wanted to pay over to the city
government the sum of $4,000 per all
mum for the privilege Of conducting
gambling games without being arrested.
All attempts at making such arrange
ments proved total failure.
& Mayor Hazard asked: "How did you
get the information about these gamb.
ling cases?"
Mr.. Burns-Partly from Mr.. @. D
Plat, and partly from other people
about the Nadeau. The newspapers
were squared" at least the reporters
were, to say nothing at all about it. l
was told there are some Of these report
ers getting as high as $50 month to
keep quiet about it.
The mayor--Would you be kind
enough to give us the names of your
informants in this matter, Mr.. Burns
1t might be the means of bringing about
a reform in the police affairs of the city.
Mr.. Burns said he would not give his
names unless forced to. He
took an interest in it from the
fact that when he was Chief he found
that $40, 600 had been used for bribery
with the commission. He Instituted
measures to raid Chinese gambling
games to the rate OF $1,000 year, and
place it in the city treasury; that there
should be no opium dens run by the
Chinese. This was in operation only
very short time, when some changes
were made by the commission, and II
was ordered to stop all gambling-Chi-
nese and American. Gambling was
stopped. After about six weeks a MEM
ber OF the commission called upon me
and desired me to let 60 OF gambling; to
let it 60 on; that l was getting $3.50
and they were getting nothing. l
told them that as long as the ordinance
stood, no gambling would be allowed.
After Mayor Workman came into Of
flee an arrangement was made by which
the number of games was reduced from
20 to Ia, and by which the Chinese were
to pay $250O a month to let IL games
run all the time, and they were to be
free from arrest. There was room
fixed up for these Cinnamon to 60 into,
leave some money. and walk out. The
always was full count-the sum
exactly agreed upon, and was paid into
the treasury.
Mayor Haz ard-Did the Chinese ever
pay money to anybody else, within
your knowledge, for immunity from ar
rest?
Mr.. Burns-Yes; there were several
here who were in the habit of
getting Doodle money from the China
men. They would get small sums OF
money from them, from time to time,
from So to $40. This was what
had caused the trouble. The Cinnamon
did not like the idea of giving up money
to the constables, and then getting ar
rested afterwards.
@. Have you stated that certain
of this board received money
from the Chinese to keep off arrest?
Burns-Yes.
@. From whom did you get such in
Burns-From Mr.. O. D. Platt.
Mr.. Platt was now called in and put
upon the stand.
The mayor-Mr. Platt, what do you
know about Chinese gamblers having
paid money to be allowed to gamble
without danger OF arrest?
Mr.. Platt-I know nothing.
Mr.. Hazard (astonished)-Did you not
tell Mr.. Burns that you knew of some of
the commissioners getting money from
the Chinese?
Mr.. Platt-No, cir.
Commissioner Lewis-Did you not tell
Mr.. Burns that got $3.50 month out
of the Chinese?
Mr.. Platt-No, sir.
The witness was allowed to stand
down.
Chief Glass said that this Investigation
was gotten up to smireh the character Of
the police force.
Captain Mackay-You do me and the
other members of this board great in
Justice. This investigation was gotten
up in the interest of justice. We are
not here to destroy the reputation of any
individual or any set of men. There is
= great deal of material here that would
lead up to the acquittal of those wrong
fully accused and the conviction of the
guilty, if it were only properly pursued.
Officer Whaling was then called and
sworn.
Captain Mackay-What do you know
about gambling in Chinatown?
Whaling-I believe they have been
a gambling there all the time.
Mr.. Snyder-Why did you not sup
press it?
Mr.. Whaling-I don't understand
Mr.. Lewis-Why didn'tyou stop it?