, 1899-02-07
BB02AlRS' Q
Peculiar Organization Discovered and
Broken up in California.

Active congnizance Is being taken by
the police OF a unique organization
which recently came into existence IN
San Francisco. 1t Is known Al, the
"Moocher's Club" a title given It by
Its founders. It consists of about forty
professional beggars, who have enter
ed into a sort Of a trust to control the
business OF soliciting aims on the pub
lie streets.
Within the last three days no less
than fifteen leading promoters OF the
begging monopoly have been thrown
into Jail by order OF Chief Lees. Yes
terday the club received its first d.
rect blow when John Mcdowell, who
Is credited with being its president, and
John Dunlop. his right-hand man,
taken into custody by Policeman
John Morarity and W. ]. Smith Two
days previously the "dispatchers" OF
the Moocher's club, SHY" O'Brien and
"Scotty" Hogan, were arrested by the
same officers.
The police learned of the Moochers'
organized existence about a week ago,
and as many as forty are suspected of
being theieves as well as beggars. 1t
wac determined to break up their club.
Policeman Moriarty and Smith were
specially detailed to accomplish the
task. Their investigations resulted In
two or three arrests the first day, and
when a weakened member Of the
begging club disclosed the secrets of
its meeting place, membership and
working plans. His story has since
been amply verified by the two patrol
men.
Since the inception of the "Moocher's
Club" about four weeks ago. its mem
bers have met between 9 and 10 o'clock
every morning on opposite at
the intersection OF Third and Mission
streets. On each preceding night the
officers made out a schedule of the
good streets in the city, alloting a
route or district to every Moocher. As
fast as the Moochers reached their
meeting place they were assigned to
their routes or beats by d~ispatchers
Shy O'Brien and Scotty Hogan, who
were furnished with copies Of the beg
cling schedule. Daily changes
made in the schedule for the purpose
Of evading the police.
At night the gang made its general
headquarters in a saloon at SAT Mission
street. Policeman Moriarty says that
the proprietor admitted that the av-
erage Moocher spent from - to IS q
night for drinks. From what they
have learned, the two poficemen be-
lieve that a great deal a petty thieving
which took place during the holidays
may be attributed to members OF the
Moocher club.
In organizing the club, its chief sphr-
its invited only active and more OF less
able bodied beggars to become mem-
beers. A set Of rules was then drawn
up, the chdef one of which requires
every member to refrain from tres
passing on another Moocheris desig-
mated begging ground. Violation Of
this rule was ~punishable by expulsion
from the club. Dues were also fixed
to be used for paying the ofncers and
diepatches and for protecting the
Moochers who might fan into tho hands
Of the police. To carry out the natter
purpose the club, az oon Oh " treas
ury warranted the step, engaged legal
counsel to defend the arrested Moo
cheers in the police court. Arthur Mack
is said by policeman Morarity to be
the regularity retained attorney OF the
Moocher club. He has already appear
in court for some OF the Moochep
whom Morarity and Smith captured.
In their fight against the Moochers
the police are taking the precautton
to swear out complaints in each case
where an arrest Is made. Judge Colin
issued the complaints yesterday against
Dunlop and Mcdowell. "A number OF
other complaints have been issued
against Moochers who are still at large.
San Francisco Chronicle.