Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-10-11

in chief. He not only takes in money
for drinks, but he starts his victims
to the games with their heads not
a 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 n
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 until
Monday morning. Those who haze
stayed about the place during that
entire period, whether winners or
losers, and usually losers, must re-
turn ~ their duties; and they are
both physically and mentally unfit
for any kind OF work.
1t was with some knowledge OF thess
conditions that the secretary OF the
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. Ne 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 Tina or take time
to look after them. But sporty boys"
were surprised one day TO find that the
salaries Of three polSeB-playing clerks
had been reduced, and that they had
been sent 20 less responsible positions
One clerk had his salary reduced from
81 800 per annum 10 $1,000. Hfs wife
and children will have a better living
now than they had when he was draw
ing more money, for he took nearly all
of Il TO the gaming hells. Bat 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 tc
play the races for high stakes, and WA
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 un
informed concerning the merits Of the
horses. This system was advertised
by circulars, the allegation being tina,
"the inventor holds a prominent posi-
ton in the treasury department"
The sporty" clerk was drawing q
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, s
private banker here. When he failed
to pay this Indebtedness, Mr.. Klein eI
sent his bill TO the department., inclos
ing the telltale circular. And the clerl
with the system was removed In pass
ing, it may be of interest TO many read
ers to know that Mr.. Kleiner was for
ten years a member Of congress from
Indiana, and that he was the foremosl
champion of the opening of the grea.
/, Sioux reservation in Dakota territory
This dismissal has had an efPec,
which will be lasting, because through
out the great department there is nov
a feeling that the man at the helm
knows how to deal with minute detail,
of the department, as we'll as with tn,
great problems which require state
craft.
Secretary Shaw is q kindly-disposed
Christian gentleman, a religious man
a temperance man, a church goer, anC
a worshiper of the living God. Albeit
he has been severe with those who de
serve severity, he is gentle with thos.
who deserve kindness. During tn,
very period when he was disciplinint
the wrong-doers, he took the time e
hear the personal sorrows of a lad,
clerk, and he tempered for her Justice
with mercy. He endeavors to be ius
tice incarnate. SMITH d. FRY.