The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-26
ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF LAW
LIST OF o AND GAMBLING
PLACES SUBMITTED TO MAYOR.
He to Keep the Upper Hand
of the Vicious CIasses-BOth
Letters in Full.

communication written Dy the Kew. MT.
Hunter in which. while it is implied that
it is impossible TO put an end TO all drink
ing and gambling by official action. since
men will drink and will gamble if they so
desire, yet he believes the mayor should
keep the reins drawn n little tighter on
gamblers and the saloon men. The course
of the Anti-saloon men has been charac-
terized by great fairness. They have re-
fused TO criticise the administration until,
in the opinion of the members, criticism is
necessary. Mr.. Hunter, the superintendent,
has refused a number of interviews re-
quested by two local papers for the purpose
Of stirring up agitation against the mayors
direction of police supervision, stating that
ne is of opinion that the mayor is inclined
to do his duty.
The League demands that the mayor pull
the strings a little tighter. 1t believes that
this can be done. For two or three Sun
days 1t has had agents around town for the
purpose of observing what places were
running in violation of the law. Mr.. Hunter
called the attention of the a to the
results of the Inspections by agents of the
League in the letter. The mayor intimates
that the agents of the League may have
- NNNCAN Nv ~ NAG =
%intendent. He declares that he shall rule
the vicious, and be not ruled by them.
Mr.. HUNTERS LETTER.
Following IS the letter addressed to the
mayor by the Rev. Mr.. Hunter:
Il was up at Fort Wayne last Sunday
and was pleased with your interview which
/ saw in Monday mornings paper. Coupled
with your interview, they had one with me,
the body of which was correct. but the
headlines of which Vrara INCORRECT They
wanted me TO talk about your administra-
ton and L said 70 them it was too early to
talk as to law enforcement. L furthermore
said L believed you were doing your level
best to get the finances of indianapolis in
shape. 1 was glad of your strong declara-
tons that gambling ought not to be open.
I'm this connection ! wish to tell you of
some things that were going on Sunday,
Nov. IL, as viewed by a cOupl of friends of
mine who went around and saw for them
selves First, the Cleveland Club ran a
gambling game on Saturday night, the 23d,
and all day Sunday. There were no watch
ers hindering the people in citizens clothes
entering; whether they were watching for
bluecOats or not, / do not know.
Second, a gambling game was going on
at Wacnstetters saloon, on West Washing
ton street, between Senate avenue and
West street. There were probably seventy
five people there at one time on Saturday
night. This game ran all night, Sunday
and a part of Sunday night. Do not know
whether il ran all Sunday night or not. My
ITle0OS nd0 no trouble Whatever In getting
in. If you want to stop that game, have
not the police the right to confiscate all
gambling implements and furniture?
sunday forenoon these men went to
some fifteen or twenty saloons. They did
not find one but what they were able TO
get in at some place. They were selling in
back rooms or side rooms, as a rule, with
the exception of the Occidental Hotel.
bar. l understand they have no rear bar.
Joe Balduse. at South and Delaware
streets, was doing business I'm a back room
at $50 a m. Sunday, five men present.
"B~urkharts saloon, corner Of Meridian
and South streets, was open between s and
9 a. IN. Sunday, selling in back room. A
weary looking women. There were six men
in this back saloon at one time.
The saloon in the Germania House,
northwest corner of South and Meridian
streets, was open Sunday forenoon, doing
business I'm w1nerOOm.
"Ivory's saloon. Illinois and South streets,
open about same time, back room, four
present.
The Nickel-plate. at the south entrance
TO the tunnel, was doing business in the
back room.
A the Spencer House men were drink
ing In the small room near the regular sa-
loon.
"Agnew's saloon. Maryland and Illinois
streets. had back room open, half a dozen
present. doing business.
Frank Lutz, West Washington street,
about No. III, with an opening on Ken
lucky avenue. drawing beer from the main
bar, but handing IL out back of a curtain.
"Ferris's saloon. across Washington street
from Lutz's, has a corrugated iron curtain
in the regular saloon, making a room back
OF the curtain. For this room he says ne
has no license. He was drawing beer from
his main bar and II was being drunk by
men back OF the main curtain. Slot ma
chimes and pool tables were running Sun
day morning with a half dozen young men
who looked as though they were consider
ably under age.
The bar of the Bates House Inn was
running. Billy Irons place on North ILL.,
nois was open. These places were doing
business in another room than the main
bar. The same was true of the following:
Dan Smith, North Illinois, between Mar
ket and Ohio: The Bike" on West Market,
between the Circle and Illinois street; En-
glish Hotel and the Denison House.
A ives Stout's those who wanted
drinks passed through the restaurant.
LAS far az the gentlemen could see. who
went 10 these places, there were no guards,
no signs. nothing to keep anyone from
going in who desired TO go. The front
doors were usually locked. but the side OF
rear doors were open. There was not a
single place one could not get I'm IL he de
sired.
Now Mr.. Bookwalter. these I believe "a
be facts. | realize that men will get drinks
II they want to. but do you not believe Il
would be possible 10 hold this down lust
a little closer? That gambling ought to be
stopped"
MAYOR BOOKwALTER's REPLY.
A few days & the mayor sent the fol.
lowing reply:
II desire TO acknowledge the receipt OF
your favor Of the 18th inst. calling my at.
tention TO certain violations of the law
and I'm reply TO say that l shall direct the
attention OF the superintendent OF police tC
the same. l have not seen the interview
IN the Fort Wayne papers 10 which you re
fer. hence / do not know whether l hav,
cause to feel gratihed or displeased. bur
believing in your sense OF fairness / an
willing TO suspend judgment.
Il am determined 10 stop gambling In
be done and L shall always endeavor tC
keep all classes OF people in control. Their,
always has been. and l am sorry to say IN
tons OF law. The statutes against murder
Crime are repeatedly violated. The bes'
hat can be lone Is 10 enforce the Law
against those detected I'm the violation
traffic have. like others. always been VIC.
lated and | can only pledge my best en-.
deavors TO keep such violations at tn
minimum.
In this connection I cannot refrain from
suggesting that the zeal Of the young mer
who report 10 you has led them I'm "A meas
ure TO exaggerate the conditions which
exist. I especially cautioned the superin-
tendent Of police against the gambiine
carried on i'm the known gambling houses
sergeants in the central districts OF the city
which EhnW EananFaI visits 70 znHnh hAs~~-