The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-06-20
GAMBLING DEVICES.
ELECTRICITY EMPLOYED BY sclEN
TlFlC SHARPERS.


Things"-By Manipulating the Current
the Dealer Can Select the Winner Every
Time-But the Fools Still Bet.
1t is time worn motto that a man is
q fool who attempts to beat another at
his own game. Nevertheless there is
perpetual and rich crop of gullibles who
insist upon throwing their hard earned
money away in the vain and elusive
hope that fortune is within their easy
grasp.
The method is to them of no conse-
quence. They sincerely believe that the
means deserve the end, and with this
harmful and foolish idea in view they
state on their downward career, fully
believing themselves competent to get
the best of the sharper. But the sharper
is proud Of his name, and he does his
best to deserve his title. He generally
succeeds and then lies in wait for an
other victim. The shar, 4 is cute one,
and it seems almost a pity that his en-
ergies are not put in more useful direc-
tions. His inventive ability is far above
the average, and he contrives devices
which are marvels in their way; but as
Josh Billings tersely puts it, "It IL u
darned poor way"
Fresh in our minds are the develop
ments which resulted from a raid by the
police on one of the most prominent
gambling establishments.
Extraordinary devices We're found,
and everything was conducted on scale
of magnificence and ingenuity that was
marvellous to behold. Electricity played
prominent part. In fact, everything
that could be done to further the aims
of the gamblers in dishonest way was
carried out to point bordering on per-
fection.
There was one device for stopping the
passage of a marble at certain point,
which could be changed at the will and
discretion of the operator in charge.
Each compartment was regularly num-
bered and had underneath it small
secreted electro magnet, the wires from
which were so connected with spring
contact points placed under foot
board, which in turn was situated and
hidden on the floor, that the ball could
be arrested in its progress at any point
Here, though, was apparently diff
Guilty in connection with its successful
operation While it is true that the
ball could be stopped, the suddenness
of the stop would Immediately attract
the suspicious of the players. 1t was
evident that the stoppage must be per-
formed gradually, SO as to appear nat
ural. A quick glance at the wheel show
ed the operator which compartment was
the most profitable one for him. The
ball slowed up, stopped, and he gather
ed in his i'll gotten gains.
The gradual slowing up was by suc-
cessive number Of weak impulses sent
through the adjoining electro magnets,
thus retarding the progress of the ball,
which was completed by an inner
sphere of soft iron surrounded by q
highly polished celluloid coating. Great
skill ON the part Of the operator was Of
course required to avoid detection. But
the men who worked this scheme felt
SO sure that discovery was impossible
that their very boldness and audacity
furthered their work. Murder, howev-
er, will out, and the secret was finally
laid bare to curious crowd
Another device that attracted consid-
erable attention was planned to deceive
the most inquiring. A table was de-
vised the top of which contained q
number of squares laid off similar to
q chessboard. Immediately above the
center of the board was suspended a
light metallic board by means Of slen-
der silken thread. A compond mechan-
ical motion at the top Of a triangular
framework placed Immediately over the
center Of the board caused the silk
thread to take rather erratic course.
On the boards were placed o number Of
statuettes somewhat similar to chess
men, but all Of approximately the same
height. The suspended ball was started
ON its erratio course while the table was
slowly revolved.
Bets were then made as to which par
ticular piece would remain erect when
all others were knocked down. Piece by
piece they dropped until but one re-
NAMED, and this one Of course was de-
olared the prize winner. The game was
even more audacious than the one above
mentioned, but If anything 1t was more
ingenious.
The way in which it was made "a
sure thing" for its possessors was as fol-
lows: Underneath each individual