Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-10-22
wICKEDEST BLOCK IN NEW YORK
Twenty-nfnth Street, From BrOnt
way to Sixth Avenue.

TWenty-nhntn street., FROM brOhu-
way to Sixth Avenue.
It required a murder to shock the en-
tire city before the fact was impressed
upon the public mind that the short
block reaching through West 29th street
from Broadway to Sixth avenue is the
most wicked part of New York. Under
the stress of public opinion the police,
after the murder of Captain Craft,
closed the Empire, but there still re-
main in the block four resorts each of
which panders to the dregs of society.
The police department, Commissioner
Partridge has declared, is not respon-
sible for the existence Of vice in this
remarkable block, but his subordinates
found way to close the Empire when
they dared do nothing else. 1t may be
that a way will be found to close the
Cairo, the Berlin, the Savoy and the
Bohemia, all Of which are wide open,
with scouts in Broadway to lure the
unwary.
War was declared against the resorts
mentioned not long ago, but after they
had been compelled to take down their
big electric signs a truce followed.
Since then precinct detectives make
regular inspections through 29th street;
they drink wine with the managers Of
the resorts, chat with the brighter reg
ular inmates, and return to the Goth
street station with the report that ev-
erything is quiet and orderly.
So it was last Sunday. In the Savoy,
on the lower side Of the street, two de-
tectives in plain clothes sat for an hour
drinking champagne with the manager.
They were there at II o'clock and re-
manned until the closing hour arrived,
an hour later. Their presence attracted
no attention.
Not unlike others of the kind, the Sa-
voy is a place of resort of men of low
inclinations and of women equally bad.
It is brilliantly lighted and to the cit
izen looking for amusement presents
some attractions. 1t is fairly quiet un-
til after theatre time, but from then
until morning boisterous conduct is the
| rule. Captain Craft was believed to
have $1,000. Let a man show a roll of
bills of fair size and he will be lucky
| if he gets out of 29th street with car
| fare.
Interference with an intended victim
is never tolerated. Less than week
ago a young man from the country saw
friend being robbed by woman. He
made objection, and for his pains was
set upon and beaten by person who
asserted that he had insulted him. The
young man was rescued by the proprie-
tor, who persuaded him to have a
drink. That was the last the youth re-
membered until he awoke the next
morning in cell. In court he learned
that he had been arrested for drunken
ness. His friend was a prisoner under
similar charge. Though they had
gone into 29th street with nearly $500
between them they were penniless when
they went to court Neither made COM
plaint Of the robbery.
Less fortunate was young man who
came over from Brooklyn a few night
ago. He showed a large roll of bills
when paying for drink in the Berlin
He was followed into the street by two
women, who called two male friends
and complained that the Brooklynite
had insulted them. He was beaten sc
severely that he went to hospital
While lying insensible in the street ne
was robbed of all his money except S.
One of these resorts is like another
unless it is worse The Bohemia is per-
haps the most pretentious. 1t is heavily
upholstered and about the place is al
atmosphere that suggests the Far East
The Cairo is also fitted up in keeping
with it's name. The drink that is most
popular is that which will pursuade the
customer to spend his money.-NeW
| York Herald.