Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-24

Tie rslics Going for the Short Card PiaS.
eU-Cluhs Closing OPP.

TIE Hol1cs Going for the Short Card PA, I.
es-Clubs Closing Up.
War haa been declared on the gambling clubs,
and since the decision Of Judge McComas In
the case Of Henry Wilson several Of the clubs
have closed their doors and quit business In
the Wilson cess Judge McComas echoed Tie
expressions Of Judge Miller stated 20 many
times in gambling cases, and the authorities
feel certain that club gambling win not run %
openly for awhile - it has for several years
past
In the Wilson case the defendant conducted
club rooms over . business house on Pennsyl-
vsnia avenue northwest between 9Th and I0th
| streets. The room vas raided BY s. J. Block.
Who At that time wss member Of the police
force, and number Of witnesses were ex-
amined- Mr.. Wilson made no coneealment
OF the manner in which the club was run. II
was shown that the club was regularly incor-
pointed under the laws Of the District and its
objects Is set forth in the papers were social
intercourse and literary Improvement
The principal improvement as shown in the
evidence was in card playing, as the only thing
OF a literary nature found in the room were
papers and . few periodicals. There Was no
library there, and the furniture consisted chiefly
OF card tables and chairs.
THE DRAW DOWN" PAID THE EXPENSES.
Mr. Wilson told the court of the toll or draw
down and frankly admitted that the money
therefrom went for expenses, for such things as
rent. drinks and lunches, and it Was from that
fund that he got his pay.
Judge McComas held that if the club was
bona fide one the offense charged could not be
maintained. but where the charter called for
one thing and the real object was card playing
for money consideration there was certainly
violation of the law. In the case on trial the
Judge referred to card playing as the principal
feature of the club, and if such was done, il
gambling was carried on under the cover Of
charter, then the charter plays no part whatever
In the case. Then again he said that where
such places were conducted. where the rooms
were fitted up for card playing and all the MEM
bers were known as poker players, the game
was gambling pure and simple
Judge McComas referred to the provisions in
the act that the law be construed literally in
order to prevent the evil intended.
MIR. Wilson was found guilty, but sentence
was not imposed.
NOTIFYING THE CLUB ROOMS.
Az soon as the decision was rendered Lieut.
Amiss, in whose precinct the club rooms were
located, instructed his men to report all such
clubs in the precinct and thus far twenty -oue
clubs have been reported.
Lieut.. Amiss is now visiting the club rooms
and notifying the members and officers of the
courts decision and advising them that they
had better shut down. Half dozen clubs
have closed their doors, and it is likely that
others will soon follow suit. When due notice
has been given Of the courts decision the po-
lice will begin series Of raids ON those who
refused to adopt the suggestion or heed the
warning.
the gambling business. and he intends to press
this character Of cases to trial and will give the
officers all the assistance he can in their efforts
to suppress gambling.