Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-30
THE GAME STOPPED
A Poker Party That Did Not Finish Its
Play.
Proprietor In Court Today and the
Testimony Given-JudGe Miller's
Remarks OH the Case.

Chips are no longer used in gambling
rooms where the law is violated, because
they make good evidence when the police
make raids, and for this reason empty
tables were found In the room in rear OF
William p. Chroninger's cigar store, NO. GO1
F street, when the room was raided. 1t
was about o'clock yesterday afternoon
when Sergt Michael Ryrnes and num-
Der of detectives went to the place. The
proprietor was on duty at the time. and he
well understood the mission of the ofhcers
at his place, for he grabbed one OF the de-
tectiveS, and there was lively tuSsle De
fore the latter succeeded in getting In the
poker room. The rear OF the building was
guarded, and the gamblers were prevented
from going out the window and getting
away. When the fourteen poker players
had recovered from the shock they were
taken, with the proprietor, to the police
station. Chroningar was locked up Tor
maintaining gaming table, and the play
ers were released on collateral to appear
as witnesses. The police learned OF this
gambling room some weeks ago, and only
a few days ago a patent attorney, who lost
a sum of money in the place, "squeaied,
as the police term it. and was promised
that his name should not be diVulged.
But the judge afterward concluded that
he could get along without the missing
link In the proof, and the hearing pro-
ceeded.
and entered plea of guilty. He said that
Mr. Chroninger was discharged govern
lnent employe, man of family anu was
without much means. The games of cards
played in his room, he said, were played
for cigars and tobacco. and outside of these
sales the proprietor derived no benefit.
\ Quiet Place.
HE keeps a quiet and orderly place,
added counsel, land there has been no COM
plant of this nature made against him."
"A man who keeps a gambling place,
said the judge. would be fool to have a
brass band and monkey show accompanl-
ment.''
Detective Carter said good word for the
defendant and told the judge that he had
kept quiet place.
and when the court inquired the name OF
the man who had lost the money the OIL
Ger said he did not want to tell
How long has this man been in bus
ineSS?" the court asked.
About six MONTHS the officer replied.
And how long has he been permitting
gambling?'
About a month. I think.
hat do they play?"
Poker"
One of the players questioned told of how
the games Were played, and expressed the
belief that Chroninger did not know just
what went on in the back room.
1t was stated that most OF the men who
play cards there are merchants. but Sergt.
Byrnes said that some of them are race
track men.
Plea for Leniency.
Lawyer O'Neill made another plea for
leniency and said that the defendant was
in poor circumstances.
And" he added. he promises to quit
the business"
That's what they ell do" said the court
but they have to be arrested before they
think of the promises The families OF
men who are Iured into these places are
entitled to some protection"
The defendant then made statement in
his own behalf. saying he was ignorant of
the fact that his customers played for
money.
Judge Miller in disposirg of the case re-
ferred to the several gambling cases that
had attracted the courts attention recently
and said that the imposition of a nominal
fine means only the payment of the pro-
ceeds of one days game. Chroninger was
sentenced to one day in Jail and to pay a
fine of 500 In imposing this fine Judge
Miller said he wanted it distinctly under
stood that the next man brought into court
for violating this law will be given a severe
Jail sentence.