The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-10-07

A PIKER.s GAME.
shows & great head for the gambler
in chief. He not only takes in money
for drinks, but he starts his victims
to the games with their heads not
bit too clear. Back of the bar is
the poker room. On the second floor
we find roulette and craps, the cheap |
gambling hell showing forth in all
its glory. Keno and hazard are in |
room to themselves.
There is "piker's game" with |
chips at ten cents each, the man
agement being willing to take car
| tickets at five cents each. The floor
is covered with sawdust and sputum,
| the air reeking with the fumes OF
cheap tobacco, consumed in cheap
pipes or cheaper cigarettes. In these
rooms the pale-faced department.
clerks touch elbows with collarless,
coatless, evil-visaged people from
whose presence they would shy even
on street cars. The games are car
ried on from Saturday night untl'
Monday morning. Those who ha"
stayed about the place during that
entire period, whether winners or
losers, and usually loses, must re-
turn to their duties; Snd they are
both physically and mentally unit
for any kind of work.
1t was with some knowledge OF these
conditions that the secretary OF tho
treasury determined to strictly en-.
force the rules and regulations against
gamblers. More than two months ago
Secretary Shaw gave this matter his
personal consideration. He deter
mined that the great treasury depart
ment, wherein great responsibility de-
wolves upon every clerk, is no place for
poker PLAYERS and those inclined to
general gambling. The clerks would
not believe that the quiet, grave-look-
ing man would have time or take time
to look after them. But sporty boys"
were surprised one day to find that the
salaries of three poller-playing clerks
had been reduced, and that they had
been sent to less responsible positions.
One clerk had his salary reduced from
$500 per annum to $1,000. His wife
and children will have better living
now than they had when he was draw
ing more money, for he took nearly all
of it to the gaming hells. But for their
dependent families the clerks might
have been discharged.
/ The examples thus made have been
productive of good, for they have
caused others who have been reck-
lessly inclined to become more home.
loving in their habits. Nevertheless,
one clerk in the treasury continued to
play the races for high stakes, and was
also known as an expert in picking
winners. He invented an alleged "sys-
tenn whereby the races could be sue
cessfully played by those who were I'M
informed concerning the merits of the
horses. This system was advertised
by circulars, the allegation being that
"the inventor holds prominent posi-
ton in the treasury department"
The Sporty clerk was drawing a
good salary, but his great System"
went so much wrong that he was
obliged to go into debt, and he Dor
rowed money from John j. Kleiner, a
private banker here. When he failed
= to pay this Indebtedness, Mr.. Klener
: sent his bill to the department, inclos-
' ing the telltale circular. And the clerk
: with the system was removed. In pass
g ing, it may be of interest to many read
{ ers to know that Mr.. Kleiner was for
Il ten years member of congress from
p Indiana, and that he was the foremost
6 champion of the opening of the great
\ Sioux reservation in Dakota territory
: This dismissal has had an effect
e which will be lasting. because through
: out the great department there is now
feeling that the man at the helm
I knows how to deal with minute details
t of the department. as we'll as with the
II great problems which require state.
/ craft.
e Secretary Shaw is kindly disposed
n Christian gentleman, religious man
e temperance man, a church goer, a nc
5. worshiper of the living God. Albeit
t he has been severe with those who de-
serve severity, he is gentle with those
e who deserve kindness. During the
S very period when he was disciplinine
e the wsong-doers, he took the time t,
p hear the personal sorrows of lady
c clerk, and be tempered for her Justice
C with mercy. lie endeavors to be jus.
i tlce 1ncarnate. sMII H D. FRY.