The Washington times., 1902-07-27
HOT CRUSADE AFTER
WRITER'S OF POLICY
Two Arrests Made by the
Police Department.
Pipes, Rings, Cigarette Papers and Va
rious Other Hiding Places for the
Books-Detectives on the Alert.

mo mcah policy TO me-" is an ex-
preston frequently heard made by men,
bers of the colored race haunting
the places where this fascinating game
of the numerical combinations is in evil
| dence.
Loss OF appetite for its attractions has
only been a condition since it became
generally known that to write for the
shops and be caught at 1t is to be sub
ject to a penitentiary sentence.
Detective r. C. Watson, whose vigi-
lance is directed wholly to the breaking
up C. infractions of the District laws
relating to the game, has had few ar
rests since the amendment to the code
went into effect. The first was made a
week ago, the victim being William
Brown, colored, now awaiting the action
of the grand jury.
The second arrest was made yestc--
day afternoon. Most of yesterday the de-
tective spent in Jackson City, where,
since the fire, there has been but one
shop where drawings are made. That is
in the rear of saloon. There are, how
ever, dozens of writer's for the place,
though precautions against discovery
with books on their person have been
increased.
Tracked tc Washington.
Richard Coates. colored. probably
forty years of age, was busy over there
for several hours and was tralled to
Washington by the detective. When
we'll within the District boundaries
Coates was placed under arrest. He made
the usual plea that he never wrote the
game, but did play it occasionally, The
detective has caused 10 be issued sum
monses for three witnesses who will
swear that they made investments with
Coates.
Finding OF books on the persons OF
suspects is sufficient evidence to con-
vict. and the writer's take many novel
ways of secreting the writings. For
instance, the books are written on Gig
arctic papers in many instances, and
ii is not unusual to find q $40 book on
one paper.
These policy books are often found
in queer places. A favorite hiding place
is in a frayed buttonhole. the paper be-
ing secreted between the Innings of the
coat The texture of the paper makes
detection exceedingly difficult
Other Secret Receptacles.
Another place that has been used by
the writer's is under the charge of to-
bacco in their pipes. The paper is
wadded up in the form OF n pellet, and
in the event of a detective approach
ing him. the policy promoter will apply
a match to the pipe and begin to smoke.
If the investigation results in his re-
lease the writer will carefully knock the
ashes from his pipe, separate the paper
from the unburned tobacco, and, it is
as efficacious in catching suckers" as
ever. II the suspect is unable to sat
isfy the officer, and he Is held, he con-
t.Dues to puff away until the incrim-
mating evidence is entirely consumed.
Detective Watson found one writer
who secreted his book within a seal
ring, between the finger and the setting.
others form pellets of the papers. hold
these between the fingers. and drop them
in time OF danger. There are a hundred
other methods OF evading trouble with
the police, but the shrewd eyes of the |
detectives are steadily making discov-
cries, and 1t is growing difficult to carry |
policy papers where they will not be |
located.