The San Francisco call., 1898-02-03
LURING BOYS
 TO BLIGHT
 THEIR LIVES Pupils of the Public Schools Betting on
 the Races. Place Their Money in the Poolroons Like Old
 Gamblers. The cir Conversation Hinged With the Slang of the Jockey
 and the Tout. POLICE DO NOT FARE. Lads Who Boast of Their Winnings or Lament the Grips" Which Made Tn ena LOse.
POLICE DO NOT FARE.
Lads Who Boast of Their Winnings or Lament the "Tips" Which
 Made Tn ena LOso.

Here are startling series of facts. Boys of San Francisco not only have the privilege of betting on races, but they are encouraged to do so. Men who must be devoid of all conscience accept the money of the youngsters and make returns sufficient to keep the gambling spirit alive among children. Lads wager their money freely. No matter how they obtain it, they have no right to thus waste 1t, and they should be protected even against the knowledge which enables them to in- vest in chance.
 Probably the information will come with a shock to parents and cause them to wonder why such a state of affairs is permitted. There can be no answer unless that the police are blind.
 There is no question but 1t should be stopped at once. Any man who re- ceives the money of boy in this way is a criminal, a menace to the com munity, debaucher of morals, a crea- tor of thieves, in a word, dangerous character. Yet the unholy system Is not interfered with although there Is a police force supposed to regulate such matters and even now a Grand Jury in session.
 Say, fellers. I've got to be put next or I blow the whole show. You chumps haven't been touting me worth a cent, and last week I quit $6 out. It don't go. You fellers got on the inside and you are jingling dough by the fist full and I am broke.'
 Nearly dozen boys ranging in ages from fourteen to eighteen years were talking In the yard of the Adams Cos mopolitan School on Eddy street yes- terday telling of their luck with the race horses the week before, and one of them was lamenting his losses.
 "I told you to get down good and hard on O'Connell," one of the group replied, but you thought you knew it all. You don't deserve to travel in our set If you can't take hint without having house fall on you Next time just watch us and you will wear dia- monds.''
 T am not kicking about that, but you told me to play Buck Massie. All you fellers said he was a hot favorite and sure to win, and I dropped another dollar on that tip. Then you gave me Lucky Dog for good thing, but he blew up in the stretch and where did I get off? There is no jingle in that pocket now. I will go 1t alone after this and see what luck I will have. I would rather take Cohen's tips than yours When I played them I always had some dough-"
 Cohen conducts poolroom in room of the lodging-house at 361s Geary street. Boys are his particular patrons and a crowd of the pupils of the Adams Cosmopolitan School are frequent yis- itors of the place.
 According to reports of many of the pupils of the school playing the races Is a common pastime among a number of the scholars. It is reported that last week Ed Conroy won $35. Bert Spring also made a good winning, but how much he is too we'll versed In the practices of the track to tell
 Arthur Allen came out of the weeks betting $5 ahead, and Fred Benson also claims to be winner. Paul Fitz- morris lost small sum and then quit for the week. Harold Spring, it is re- ported by the pupils, also made @ win ming. A number of other boys, 1t is claimed, join these lads in their ven- lures making pools of few nickels each and placing their money on fa- vorites picked by those who. claim to be better posted on the ways of the horses.
 Most of the money, the boys say, is handled by Cohen, who keeps a com mission place at 361s Geary street. There they buy the pools, sending one of their number to the place at noon recess to put up the money and calling for their winnings if there should be any after school closes.