The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-05-19
CHICAGO MEMORIES FAIL.
WITNESSES WITH BLhNK MINDS AT
THE BA1TER INQUIRY.
Most Of Those Summoned Fail to Recall
Anv Evil Things In Municipal Matters
witnesses Declare They Never Paid for

ANY Evil Things In Municipal Matters
Witnesses Declare They Never Paid for
Protection - Some Sample Innocents.
CHICAGO. May 18.-Thnt gambling has been
going on In Chicago with the knowledge OF the
police was proved by the evidence before the
Baxter Investigation committee to-day. 1t
was shown by the testimony Of one pro-
fessional gambler. and by one man who adj
mitted that poker was played in his place.
that word to close the gambling shops was sent
by the Police Department to the gamblers re-
Gently. 1t was demonstrated that In these two
cases. at least, the police knew where the games
were. who conducted them and to whom the
dictum of the department should be delivered.
These gamblers or proprietors OF poker rooms
were not raided or prosecuted for violation OF
the law. They were merely told to close.
John Welch. proprietor Of the Hunters Club.
on Washington street. opposite the Police
Headquarters. testified that the place had been
operated az a gambling room for eighteen
months: that no presumed the police knew
about II; that police officers came to him re-
Gently and told him he would have to close.
Most Of tho witnesses called before the COM
mittee were suffering from aggravated cases OF
Suspended memory. Their evident intention was
to suppress or conceal any knowledge Of gam
bling in Chicago they might have. Some Of them
seemed unable to remember things longer
than three minutes. One appeared to know
nothing but his name until Senator Baxter in
formed him as to the law on making false testi-
mony before committees. Then he frightened
up n little and recovered the use Of his mind
and his tongue long enough to promise to come
back tomorrow. His lying was so palpable
that for q time tho Senators on the committee
thought Of proceeding against him for perjury.
but concluded to give him one more chance.
Another yitness hal n noat errntip mpmorv
He offered to give the committee details OF
events that happened years ago. but when no
was questioned as to occurrences of last Mon
day night his mind was n blank. The commit
tee wanted to find out whether gamblers in
Chicago paid for protection and to what ,ex-
tent the police had knowledge that gambling
was going on.
The gamblers and proErietors Of saloons and
rroiessed to be Shocked At the snea aston Of
such a thing; The ono police officer who wss
could not remember anything except matters
which evidence previously introduced had
m HdSs i .mD9s' Td%m lGr MA Mnj" t% i %5s tie one pos.
Tee; Major told Of hls, making application to
formed the Chic. that a game was running at
caused the place to be raided.
ho Mm" Of II fl g3"%; R6Fo onFads. fesf Fl q d that sSs hnS
never, paid for projection from raids on her
p pI1G Il BY NJ pol ssb, Shs d Nio not rem n;aPt th having n
one who had "l'argcnt' was all right in Chi
cago.
Policeman Woodbridge admitted that he had
seen men playing cards In Props, place. but
supposed they were PLAYING penochle or hearts
for cigars. Chips were on these tables. but he
saw no money used. and in his opinion only
the ,splrit OF the law Mr, Wo!dridee denied
fInt hn n III fn prAt. on pnln In cha
manner testified to by. sehaTner and t.anders,
.t He had seen n,d no gaHM n ; IN did Ihh Nh
gambling at any Of the places where previous
Witnesses had sworn gambling was conducted.
Mr.; Woodbridge was, a hesitatinG witness. He
many Of the ! aussstions put to hin. f He was in.
eIIinHd to discuss law points on gambling.
ing hearts. whist. cribbage, and penochIe.
He had SO limited an aclunintance with gam
gambling and its suppression. he could not
siye the WHaaImoss Of Of one ne gambler iq o1 the f sitty, .,o
opposite Police Headquarters in the CITY Hall.
and hoy policemen from the Central Station
place. He had not paid for protection
George Prop, owner Of the place at 27o State
s 4GS@ n N 'hs !s tn't oi faT S!s . :tSfs. ''fHy H. sm I.
pISySss and ir !Ess rGja sS;n /. { r. .o siiesH5si;
remember the. names OF any who. were play
ing said to any one after Woodbridge had
called there that he had a letter
from the Police. Department. He did
not remember SchaIner losing SIS in the
game in his place. on Monday night. This was
the game In which Schaffner said he held four
trays once and pat flush" hands twice, but
was beaten each time.
The Senators who have a theoretical knowl-
edge of poker have marvelled how such good
hands could be beaten right along in sue.
ceSsiOn. Four trays are generally good at
Springfield. and any legislator will wager half
his per diem on n " pat flush"
G. Is. Dickes was the most remarkable ex-
alnTle OF suspended memoir presented during
the day. He admitted being a member OF the
Mtnden Club for a, wear. and that poker
was played there. He also admitted that
he was on the clubs lease as security for
the rent. 5000 n month. but he could not re:
chips. or the name of one member OF the club.
or anything else.
Albert Friedrich and John Curry. his manager.
testified that the basement saloon at 13l Clark
street was always closed before l o'clock Mt
night and that no protection money was paid.