New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-08
THE TOWN "WIDE OPEN"
CONDITIONS WORSE THAN THEY HAVE
EVER BEEN-TAMMANY PRO
TECTING CRIMINALS.

The serenity and earnestness with which Captain
Thomas. OF the Tenderloin Precinct announces
that his district is free from gambling houses,
poolrooms concert halls and dsorderly resorts are
enough bring smile 10 the face Of the most
solemn. In addition TO Captain Thomas, Chief
Devery also protests that the city is absolutely free
from such resorts But, despite these assertions. 1t
is safe TO say that there has never been time In
the history Of New-York when the town was so
wide OPEN as II Is AS they say on the
Bowery. everything goes"-that is, OF course II
settlements have been made.
one would hardly look for gambling houses pool
rooms and such places down in Park Row. owing
TO the fact that this part of the city is so little
frequented IN the evenings, yet within a stones
throw Of the newspaper offices is gambling house
that is thronged every night. Only little further
away is poolroom where men gather by the nun
dreds in the Of the day to play the races.
These only two cases. Doubtless there are
many more. Uptown it Is much worse, and the
gambling houses poolrooms. dance halls and such
places bid openly for custom.
There have recently sprung up In the Tenderloin.
taking advantage Of the present conditions, num-
Der of combination drinking smoking and concert
cafes which about the worst cesspoos New
York has ever known. These resorts are marked
by haring electric lights, snowy entrances. and
gaudy and tawdry furnishings. Huge signs in
rnultt-colored lights fiaunt some name before the
passers by Painted women Of the lowest type
haunt these places travelling in the course of the
night from one 10 another. There are the Cairo,
'-Tivoli," "AIhambra," the white Elephant and
scores more.
There time when a great outcry was
raised because a few saloons had side doors and
sold liquor on Sunday In comparison with the
degradation and violation of law in certain OF these
uptown districts offence is nothing. All of this
passes openly under the eye of the police Mem
bers Of the force in full uniform, enter the places
freely with those who visit them OF
have confidential talks with the managers pehlno
screens. There is game 20 -defraud the innocent
practsed in certain or these places ana
the police shield the guilty. II some poor oeluoeo
one robbed and beaten, appeals TO these guardians
3ected to harsh treatment. yelled threats and an
luminous warning keep his mouth shut. lie
usually does. 49,,
AS for the gambling houses and poolrooms, they
are almost innumerable. Recently a number or
noolroor1s bucket shops and gambling houses nave
been opened in the Tenderloin to which women are
admitted. They find women in charge, and every
facility for them gamble or bet on the races or
plunge in stocks. -, - e.,
notice protect them well. Tammany has echpsed
itself In protecting these places recently. ana is
arrogant in its brutal suppression OF those VINO
would cry out against them. Captain Ihonas anu
chief Deyery may deny the existence or these
nlanes but II the who makes the charge LOOKS
in the eve Of either he makes the accusation
he viii readily see that the police officer in his
refutatIon of the charge is insncere-and ne knows
he As ineincere. Many Of the police are hand In
glove with the criminal class to a greater extent
Than they were when the Lexow Committee I'M
covered such mass of reeking filth ana corrup-
zion Those who not looking for them see
proofs Of this every day