Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-12
TO BE PROSECUTED.
Winter Racers Will Have the Law
to Work Against
INSTRUCTIONS TO. THE POLICE
The Track isWithin the Mile Limit
According to Surveys.
DAY TO DAY PROSECUTIONS.

The survey requested by District Attorney
Birney in connection with the proposed
winter race meeting at the Ivy City track
has been made by the engineer department
of the District and in a map submitted this
afternoon to the district attorney the sur
vey shows that the greater part of the track
and grounds are within one mile of the city
limits, the line running from about the first
quarter pole to point near the f1ve-eighth
pole. This includes. of course. the grand
stand. quarter stretch, betting ring, and.
indeed. very nearly all of the infield. 1t is
said that the betting ring will be placed in
the infield near the half-mile pole, which
would place 1t Just beyond the mile limit.
But, nevertheless, 1t would still be within
the track, and II 1t is placed there the dis
trict attorney will prosecute those engaged
In betting or promoting betting there on the
ground that part of the track. being in the
one-mile limit the law prohibits gambling
on any other part Of 1t.
The district attorney does not intend to
rest with the prosecution of any one VIOLA
ton Of the law, but will prosecute to the
utmost each and every violation, and will
not cOnfne himself to any one days in
fringement of the law, but will continue
the prosecution each and every day the law
Is violated Hence, there will be no cessa-
ton of prosecution. so long as the law is
violated.
In connection with his purpose to prevent
any violation of the law and to prosecute
to the fullest extent should it be violated,
the district attorney this afternoon address,
ed the following letter to the chief Of police,
and has received assurances that the police
department Will render him every assistance
In their power:
To the Police.
Il learn through the daily press that it Is
the purpose Of the lessees of the Ivy City
race track to hold meeting for horse
racing, to begin on Thursday, December IA,
1893 and that in connection Herewith bet
ting or bookmaking booths are to be set up
and conducted In close proximity to the
grand stand.
Your attention is directed in this connec-
ton to the act of Congress, approved March
2, 1891, (Rich. Sup. to Rev. Stat. u. s., D.
9OO), which makes 1t unlawful for any per-
District of Columbia. within one mile Of the
boundaries Of the cities Of Washington and
Georgetown, to bet, gamble or make books
or pools on the result of any trotting or
running race Of horses, &c.
Under the provisions of this statute not
only will they be liable to the penalty pro-
vided who may sell pools and make books
on horse races, within the limits fixed by
the statute, but their patrons will also be
liable to arrest and punishment. 1 am ad-
vised that the rand stand and the betting
ring now constructed at the Ivy City race
course are both within one mile Of the
boundary Of the city of Washington. and
shall be prepared to prove that fact should
occasion require 1t. The line is marked by
tall posts planted on the Bladensburg road
and on the fences inclosing the grounds
and readily seen on the grounds. 1t Is my
purpose. with your assistance. to enforce
this statute according to its terms.
Il request that special Instructions be
given police officers touching this matter
and that they be directed to promptly arrest
any violators Of this law"