New-York tribune., 1901-04-08
PIGEONS AND HAWKS.

The Committee of Fifteen has brought TO
light ample proof that most of the faro banks
and poOlrOOms of New-YOrk are full of dishonest
devices, and that in general the players are
fleeced by every coZening trick and fraud that
perverted ingenuity can employ. In this city and
in all other cities the men whose calling it is 10
violate the laws whose gains depend upon mis-
demeanor or felony unGer the present statute
of the Empire State it is not merely a misde
meanor but IN actual felony to maintain a
poolroOm). cannot be expected 10 give the vic
tins of the gambling passion who flock to their
dens any sort of chance TO escape spoliation. Ii
is true there is constant percentage of advan-
tage TO the owner of the game in all the jOusts
of hazard in Monte Carlo. in Ostend, in every
baccarat club in Paris. in Nice or other haunts
of feverish gayety, and In every building the
world over in which the blind goddess deals in
juries TO the players and enrichment TO the
hackers 1t is not necessary at this time TO
analyze the details and 10 go over the conyinc-
ing proof of this Were there no bribery of
police officials, were there tribute to be paid
for privileges as in Monaco and in Belgium;
were there no excessive exactions levied upon
gambling anywhere, still the ma jority of the
players would be beggared in time by the per-
centage Of the owners of the gambling hells If
they kept up their play year after year
That is the chief reason why the backmailers
of faro decks and roulette wheels au-
dacious and inSolent in their demands. They
know that the prOprietOrs of the cardrOoms, the
dicerooms, the craprOOms end the pOolrooms
have a tremendous rake off in the percentage to
start with. They know also that professional
gamblers of long experience. feeling all the time
the stigma of the ban of the law. are ready to
correct chances and to cheat their victims
when occasion offers. Therefore the political
John Does and tribute gatherers increase their
demands and go raising the ante to
unconscionabe extent. And the result is that
an honest gambling house is almost unknown.
But the players hurry 10 be pundered. They
cannot be driven away if they get the ex-
citement Of the game. IL may not he true
story. but IL not true il is AT least well found
Of the miner who had made a strike after
many privations and hardships and was taking
his dust in search of excitement and dstrac
tion. As he walked into Leadville. when that
famous camp was in its cradle, he asked the
first corner lOunger where he could find a faro
bank. Stranger" was the drawing retort,
there's 1ist three games here now, and every
one .of 'em is brace. Don't touch EN-.
wall, rejoined the lonely adventurer. IF |
cant git square game III play n crooked one.
Il must gamble anyhow"
That's the spirit which crowds the faro banks
the poolrooms and all gambling establishments
everywhere The players know that they get q
square game" rarely, If ever but the craze
for gambling has bitten into their souls And if
II is possible for them 10 risk their money they
can't be kept away. And therefore ii is the
duty Of the warders Of the law TO stop all these
swindling games. They are all dishonest Every