New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-04
TIE GAnRLER,S CH4LLENGE.

Mayor Low returns to the city from his vaca-
ton at an opportune moment Taking advan-
tace Of his absence. a notorious gambler has
given a hCusewaTming at an deliberately
equipped gaming house in West Thrty-third-
ST. on the north side. between Fifth and Sixth
ayes For some months the building has been
in process Of reconstruction on an extensive and
expensive scale, and the purpose TO which It
would be put when completed has all the time
been matter of common talk which any
policeman or other official could hardly have
avoided hearing if he kept his ears open Tor
what was going on about him. OF course,
equipment Of house. no matter how wei It's
purpose was understood. gave no ground Tor
interference The policemen who saw the eX-
tension iron gratings. such rs are used for
elevator and ferryboat gates. put at the front
windows 10 close in behind the shades. ana
who noted the extraordinary precautions taken
against burglars Of barring even the hlgh-
est windows. fifty feet from the ground
could do nothing but wait for actual Flo-
lation Of the law. Last week it was posi-
bic 10 look into the open windows from the
street and see the Eilded woodwork and the
green baize covered tables Now the curtains
are drawn and people visit the house at night
and admitted only after close inspection
ness was preparation to conduct criminal re-
sort made with greater publicity and conf
dCncP. Those who have taken note. OF the mar
hle staircase and other Improvements oS-'nate
that not less than 100000 has been spent on
the WORK. y man must indeed feel sure OF HIM
self and his ability TO defy the law who en-
barks such 4 sum without conceaIment IN i
criminal enterprise. What is that confidence
founded upon: Has he more influence with the
police than Mayor Low or Commissioner Far
fridge: Can he make District Attorney Jerome
forget all his speeches against the gamblers
and his assurances that If the Controller was
not allowed to hold UP his expense ollIS he
could put the swell gambling houses out OF busl-
ness? Or is his hope built upon shifting sands!
We are persuaded that he is counting on
liberation which he will not enjoy. We are
sure that the instant the house actually begins
business the Mayor will show that there IS not
the slightest foundation for the talk that the ad
ministratiOn does not care 10 tackle such houses
because of the prominent men who frequent
them. but contents itself with shutting up policy
shops and the lower class gambling houses.
which take the earnings OF the poor. It is true
that the poor most need protection. but it is in
toleTable that gilded houses should run openly
in defiance Of law for their example demoralizes
the whole community and breaks down respect
for law and those who administer it. Some diff
Guilty, indeed. may be encountered in securing
legal evidence of facts which are patent 10 all
men. but determination and energy should be
able 10 overcome that obstacle. II detectives
cannot secure admission. they can by discreet
endeavor discover the reputable persons who
visit the resorts and force them 70 testify, as
was recently done in Yonkers. That all gam
bling in this great city can be stopped is not
10 be expected. But open. blatant law break
ing, which dehes the authorities. trusting TO its
prodigal magnifcence and the wealth OF its