New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-21
TO STOP POLICY PLAYING.
THE GOVERNOR THE GUEST OF HONOR
AT A DINNER TO DISCUSS ASSEMBLY,
MAN FALLOws's BILL.

Governor Roosevelt was the guest of honor at a
dinner given at the Union League Club last even
ing by Captain F. Norton Goddard TWENTY-FIVE
men were seated at large round table in one Of
the private dining rooms the third floor. Among
them were State Senators John Ford and n A
Elsoerg, Assemblymen Edward H Fallows lothian
r Aids, John H Morgan, F. J. Price Alfred w
cooley and Nelson H. Henry. Chairman Odell Of
the Republican State Committee Recorder Golf
Judge Cowtng, John Proctor Clarke. Theron G.
Streng Alexander T Mason, James A Blanchard
Joseph Watkinson. John McCuIlagh, Professor
Nicholas Murray Butler, Theodore P. Gilman and
Robert Cornell The dinner was given for discus
sion OF bill drawn by Assemblyman Fallows to
amend Section 344 of the Penal Code relative to
gambling, with the purpose Of preventing policy
playing in the city. Captain Goddard has taken an
interest in efforts TO stop policy playing, and
wanted TO enlist the Governor and members OF the
Legislature in behalf of the bill
Captain Goddard opened the discussion at the
dinner, explaining the details Of policy playing and
saying that each policy shop in a poor district
takes between $40 and $50 a day from that section
The game is especially harmful" he said be
cause women and children play it, The minimum
pct being two cents il is obvious that almost any
sometimes the worst tends, and will get so infat-
for mothers TO Dawn their chiIdrsn's clotbesi and
put the children to bed, using the money to play
no The speaker DECLARED that the police protect
conviction does not act as a deterrent force as
hackers pay the fines He thought nothing would
ing the writers.
Mr.. Strong explained the bill Of MI FaIlows. say
ing II would positively prevent the OF premises
tor policy shops suppress a prevalent evil and
Governor Roosevelt took the floor Mr.
Strong sat down. Let say" he began. that
l would not have accepted another invitation to-
night but this one. I am glad to be with you in
striving to do his duty is in favor of this crusade
against policy playing. The passing of laws that
stand for the good OF the community rebounds
the credit OF the party that passes them. party
can be bull up TO the extent that il make
people believe that IL stands for decenCy and the
upright enactment of the law"
The Governor spoke of his own experiences when
he was President Of the Police Board.
At remember he said we had TO try one well
meaning policeman with q thick head for
rest he made. He had been told TO keep his eyes
open and arrest any policy players he Well
he saw a man with slip OF paper in his hands
and noticed that there were several figures the
paper The man put the slip OF paper in his
pocket. and the policeman promptly arrested him
as a policy player and locked him UP all night.
Next day the man proved that he was Sunday
school superintendent. and that the figures on the
slip were the numbers Of the hymns be sung in
church the following Sunday
number and the wealth of the policy sellers and
hackers present to the safety Of the city.
and that unless carefully watched they would
make the local elections e farce.
Speeches were made by General Andrews. Re
corder Golf and Mr.. Wilkinson in favcr of the Fal
lows bill
Governor Roosevelt did not remain until the end
Of the dinner. He drove 10 the Metropolitan Club,
the Boone and Crockett Club The Governor is
member Of the club which is composed Of hunters
Of large game. There was a gOOdy attendance OF
the club members, who ready to tell stories
continued until a late hour. The Governor said
he intended to return 10 Albany this morning.