Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-06-29
A POLICY MANAGERS ARREST
Edward Conover's Trial Expected to Be
Sensational.
His Record In the Business Some
thing Thought to De Be-
hind 1t All.

The arrest Of Edward s. Conover yester-
day on charge of being engaged in the
policy business, caused some surprise in
police circles. For many months the po-
lice have bOasted that policy was virtually
thing of the past, SO far as this city was
concerned. but persons who are familiar
with the movements of the policy operators
say that in a number of saloons and hotels
books have been made and sent across the
river once or twice a day. The books for
the morning drawings have to be in the
shops in Virginia not later than 1 o'clock.
and for the evening not later than 7
o'clock. Some of the policy men have been
seen in the neighborhood Of the steamboat
wharf and railroad depot recently. but no
particular attention seems to have been
paid to them.
the arrest yesterday was made by Sergt.
Daley and two policemen, and. although
Conover was arrested in South Washing
ton and his house in that section was
searched. it is said that he operatsd on
Pennsylvania avenue east of 7th street,
and that many books were made for him
at hotels and saloons.
Developments Expected.
Considerable Importance is attached to
the case because CT the manner in which
it came to the knowledge of Sergeant
Daley. and 1t is said that there may be
case comes to trial.
An anonymous letter was the first in
timation the officer had that Conover was
in the business, and when other informa-
ticn had been obtained a raiding warrant
was procured and the arrest was made
After Conover had been arrested and
taken to the police station his house at
No. 6lS Maryland avenue was searched
and some policy slips were found. What
pUrported to be policy papers were ad-
dressed to "Mr. Edwards" In one en-
veIope the officers found S1.IO. and on the
envelope was written THE same as yes
terday." In another envelope We're the
rows 4-7-24' and "4-17-25-55." Fifteen
cents accompanied these rows.
Something Behind.
The alleged policy man was released on
bord for his appearance. The case was
called in the Police Court today and con-
tirred, for the reason that Conover de-
manded jury trial.
Just what there is behind this case Is not
fully divulged but 1t is known that the
parties who first started the complaint
against Conover have figured in the policy
business before. Sergt. Daley was not per-
sonally acquainted with Conover, and the
latter was pointed out to him, 1t is said.
by the son Of an eX-detective.
Conover claims that the arrest Is due to
a job. which he says was put up by two
men one of whom, he says. he has be-
frended many times.
But" he said to a Star reporter, now
that have no money they have no use for
me. and are trying to push me to the wall
in this way"
He denied that he had been in the policy
business recently. and said he could prove
his innocence.
when l had money! he said, II was
bled. and I gave up to one of them when 1
could really not afford It,"
His Record.
Conover is the man who not many months
ago was tried in the Police Court and ac-
quilted when there was plenty of evidence
against him and none in his favor.
At that time he demanded jury trial,
and managed to excite the sympathy of the
jury by pleading poverty, and claiming
that his counsel and friends had deserted
him. The verdict of the jury did not meet
with the approval of the court, and the
jurymen were severely rebuked for their
verdict
No case since the hearing of the case Of
Detective Sutherland and Policeman
Greeley. for completely in the policy busi-
ness has attracted any more attention than
this In this particular line. In that case
the officers were convicted of promoting
the game in connection with the policy
men, and. although, they left here when
convicted and failed to return, no effort has
ever been made to bring them back. 1t
that the men were in Chicago, where they
were employed.
The trial of Conover will probably take
place next week. and Judging from reports
some interesting developments are prom
iSed.