Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-21
THE FUN TOO DANGEROUS.
Federal omcials HAVE Had to Adopt

Bank Rules with Respect to the
Mntter-Portsmouth Public Build
ing Site-Postal Notes.
WASHINGTON, D. c., November %.
1tSpecial)-Severe complaint is made that
the patronage of the Bennng's race tracs
during tfe present racing season has fall
en- off a great deal because of the att1-
tude OF tie Treasury officials toward the
attendance of Treasury Department clerks.
Until a few weeks ago. when Secretary
Shaw and Assistant Secretary Allies began
crusade against the sporting and
gambling element Of clerks in the Treas
ury Department, the attendance at Ben
ning's during the racing season was made
up of a good percentage of Treasury ana
other department clerks There was an
unusual number of the psorting element
among the Treasury clerks, and 'thev
played the races lively and to the flll
extent of their ability. In fact, some or
them played to their detriment, and 10
the detriment of their families, inasmucn
as many wives made complaints to the
department Officials LIldL lheS anu
families were deprived of the necessities
Of life by the gambling spirit OF their
husbands. This spirit extended not only
to the races. but to bucket shops'
gambling houses and nearly every other
kind of gambling Assistant Secretary
Allies to.k the matter up and dismisse1
several Of the clerks reduced the sal
aries Of others, and created CONSERVATION
in the Treasury Department No general
order of any kind was issued, but the
cases acted upon caused such a commotlon
that it has not been forgotten. So the
sporting element remains away from ne
races. and it would certainly not do
clerk any good to be found there, even
if he were simply looking on as specta-
tor.
BANK RULES OBTAIN.
The Treasury officials take very much
the same position that bank presidents
do, and that is that the racing fever has
too much of a temptation in it for people
who are in any way connected with the
handling of money. From the minute a
bank employee is known to attend the
races he is a marked man in his bank,
and is either very carefully watched, or
informed that he cannot continue TO
attend the races and remain in his po-
sition Although all Treasury clerks do
not handle money, as in banks, good
portion of them are in positions of trust
and responsibility, and, therefore, would
be placed in the way of temptation should
they attend the races The attitude OF
the Treasury officials is probably rot
known in the department, but the fact
that men who have been indulging in the
gambling plea sure have paid the penalty
by the loss Of their positions, is sufficient
notification that clerk must overcome
his innate desire for horseracing and for
gambling. Even Kentucky clerks are go
ing ground with most mournful faces. the
loo fo1y- n cir
mea, prejudice to their standing in the
department should they be see nat the
races.
A good many pitiful stories have been
told to department officials by the wives
and children of men in whom the
gambling spirit ran riot. These women
and children were deprived of many things
because the salaries of their husbands
and fathers went to keeping up gambling
houses, bookmakers at the race tracks,
and various bucket shops.
A CASE In POINT.
Two years ago. one Of the brightest
clerks in the Treasury Department was
found to be spending much of his money
in gambling. He was He'd before a n
assistant secretary in the department. and
his salary reduced from s1,S00 to $1,000 per
year. He was warned that he had better
quit his bad habits. Two months after
wards a Treasury official who visited
Chesapeake Beach, saw this man in
gambling house, with his money up The
man was dismissed promptly. He had
been such an excellent clerk. SO swift and
faultess that when he pretended that he
had reformed and asked for reinstatement,
he was given job. In a short time there
was a vacancy in his Office and he was
soon drawing his old salary of s1,S00 pee
year Six months ago the fever returned.
and he was detected in his gambling
again, and reduced to $1,000 per year. lie
was warned that if he again committed
the offence he would be summarily dis
missed But the official who handled his
case gave him fatherly talk, telling
him OF his abilities and the fact that he
was Str':.ig enough, If he wanted to be,
t. make man of himself and make his
family happy. The talk appealed to the
mans finer instincts, and he has so COM
plclely changed that if he continues to
benave well he will receive a fine promo
ton for a Christmas present. The other
day his ".fe visited the Urea sury De-
partment, and With tears in her eyes told
how good !:r" husband had been, and cow
he now turned ever all his money to her.
Fer splendid talk, her fidelity to her hus-
Land, and his reform will be rewa -G.d
sooner than she thinks.
THE PORTSMOUTH SITE
It is stated that the officials of the
Treasury will probably send another man
tc PortsmGrth to look up the snarl that
Is III pInSIcSS over securing q site 1Or
the location of Federal building in that
city. The White lot, which has the
Lacking of the City Council and of an in
tiuenttal element, is still being pressed be-
tore the Treasury, notwithstanding the
action of the department in rejecting
all offers. and leaving the matter open
for new offers. 1t is claimed that the
site is still somewhat favorably regarded
in the Treasury. and that as the op-
posing element is not making good by
presenting new offer and a new site; the
White LOT is still the best offer open. WHAT
will be the outcome no one in the Treas
ury knows.
The postof1ce at Bolington, Loudoun
county, has been discontinued, and mail
for that place should be addressed to Lo
vettsville, Loudoun county.
The site of the postoffice at Goblentown,
Patrick county has been changed to |
point $50 rods southwest of the old loca-
ton.