The San Francisco call., 1899-03-16

made SurrepuuouSly out the eNll VI Ihe
perniciouS system, so far as the general
public is concerned, was destroyed. The
police, under the direction OF Chief Lees,
has done most efficient service. Inc
ordinance has been rigidly enforced.
When the first race was announced there
were hardly more than two hundred peo-
pie on the grounds The bookmakers'
blocks were vacant and police were on
watch in the paddock, the betting ring
and the grand stand. The vicious sport
that has ruined thousands OF homes was
diSpirited and dreary. The mum OF eA-
cited voices, the eagerness of gambling,
the presence of respectable men ana
women were lacking. The gamblers were
in the midst of the ruins of their evil
fortunes The city, through the combined
efforts OF its reputable element, had
achieved a triumph that no one questions
Is of inestimable value to the community
During the afternoon five arrests were
made They represent little more than
the spite of the gamblers who have ruined
the legitimate sport Of racing and
brought the people of the city to the point
where self-protection demanded rebellion.
Even the bookmakers were not in mood
TO defy the law that the people OF the
city in righteous indignation, had enact
ed There were consequently few arrests
and it is expected that there will be FEWER
to-day. Arrests will follow the slightest
violation of the ordinance and vigorous
prosecution will succeed arrest. The au-
same intense personal interest as dlo the
clergvmen. the press and the merchants
of the city.
The gamblers are in gloomy disgust.
The legitimate Sportsmen OF the city are
indignant They attribute to COrrigan
and his baCkleg parasites the destruction
of a legitimate sport. Wherever Corri-
gan has gone, they say, he has carried
disaster in his train. Wherever his hand
has been laid upon sport the work OF
decent sportsmen has turned 10 ashes.
He destroyed legitimate racing IN chi
cago and made it an evil against which
all reputable people rebelled. He came
discredited TO San Francisco and here
prOstituted racing until all people inter
ested in the welfare of the city arose in
arms. 1t. is upon Corrigan's shoulders,
therefore, that the sportsmen of San
Francisco place the blame of prohibition
Under the circumstances these men hes
itate to do anything. The enforcement OF
the ordinance Will continue. The Chief
of Police says he will do his duty and
that gambling on hOrSeraceS will not be
tolerated within the limits of the city. On
Saturday Chief Lees will have force
of police at Ingleside Coursing Park as
well as at the racetrack In the courts
+he arrested gamblers will have to an
swer The bonds of those arrested have
been increased and the impudent actions
of a Police Court clerk at the track will
neither he tolerated nor repeated
a cheerless aspect all day yesterday. The
bookmakers' stands or betting blocks
were deserted and each one was guarded
by two policemen. The glistening coun-
ters of the gambling booths. over which
has passed many dollar filched by some
tempted youth from his employers. We're
untenanted. The alluring price-boards
lay face downward on the floor, and the
seductive voice of the 'bookie' was ST.
fenced. 1t was a scene Of desolation,
each block wearing the mournful aspect
of a deserted birds nest.
When the first train arrived at the
track many of it's load of disheartened
gamblers went directly to the secretary s
office where they inquired If the book
makers intended to defy the law and ac-
cent wagers on the days races. Green
and Corrigan were both questioned in this
connection, but neither of them professed
TO know what the bookmakers intended
to do.
The presence of Chief Lees, Captains
Whitman and Gillen, accompanied by
squad of fifty patrolmen, soon set all
doubts at rest. Not one of the sixteen
booknakers who have thrived for years
at their nefarious and vicious game at
tempted TO gamble before the first two
races were over.
Then Hughie Jones. a bookmaker, who
was arrested on Tuesday, attempted TO
play joke on the police.
Just before the beginning Of the fourth
race Jones and two tOuts, H Hinton and
Frank Brook, got UP into the farthest
betting block near the field books and
announced that they were ready to do
business.
J. Oppenheimer, another tout, then pro-
ceeded to go through the form Of making
a bet He passed Jones the money and
the latter ordered Hinton and Brooks to
write the ticket. Following out their In
structions they made out a ticket on
IN hn
which was subsequently scratched.
The moment Jones handed Oppenheimer
the ticket the police arrested the men.
All laughed heartily, thinking it was
good joke on the police, but when they
were hustled into a patrol wagon they
saw the joke in another light At the
City Prison the detected quartet were re-
leased on $500 bonds put up by the asso-
citation.
The only other arrest made was that of
Al Leech, an old man, who Stepped into
one of the blocks just before the nfth
race and announced that he was ready to
sell auction pools on the race.
This is not a percentage game, mind
you," he said to his listeners. II am
simply going to sell auction pools. How
much am I bid?"
The policemen who had gathered around
were mystified for a moment by the new
dodge.
man Justify, gleam of defiance in his
eyes.
''Fifty dollars" shouted back one of the
gamblers in the background.
Then Captain Whitman sprang into the
block and placed Leech under arrest.
The police captain placed Leech in
charge of an officer, saying, Charge this
man with violating section 664 of the
Penal Code"
s.That section of the code provides for
the arrest of persons who even make an
attempt to commit an overt act against
+be laws. and guess that covers this
case" said the captain as Leech was hur-
ried to the patrol wagon.
throughout the afternoon Chief Lees
moved from place to place in the betting
-;,. watchful lest the gamblers would
-asort TO underhand articles to defeat the
new ordinance.
few booknakers and other track ope-
ro+ore more daring than the rest, estab-
Iished a system of betting which the po'
pAra Dowerless to prevent Inc sys'