The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27
SAYS CHICAGO WILL BE
TIGHT PURITAN TOWN.
Mayor HarrisOn's Crusade
on Game ParlOrS.
DETECTIVES ON THE WATCH
CIVIC Committee Meets to Map Out
Campaign Against Outbreak
Of Thuggery.

CHICAGO, Dec. 26.-Gamesters who
have taken advantage of the adjourn
ment Of the graft commission to reopen
the poker game parlOrs will find their
liberty short lived, according to Mayor
Harrison, who announces that Chicago,
during the holiday season, is to be as
benign community as a tight old
Puritan town.
Reports that leVee resorts and gam
bling clubs which came under the ban
OF the graft inquisition were again run
ming led the mayor to start a side inves-
ugation and to notify Chief O'NeiII
that the bars were not to be let down at
Yueltide.
II find anyone has been giving it
out that the gambling clubs are TO run
poker games, or that saloons may be
kept open after iouight. that person
will get his neck broken, was the
threat made by the mayor. The town
has not been thrown wide open for gam
bling and II will not be.
IF any clubs have reopened on ac-
count OF a rumor they will be closed at
once Chief O'Neill has his orders and
he knows how to execute them. On no
consideration is there to be a wide-opel
town. Chicago is going to remain q
tight little old Puritan village, or as
near so as possible"
Detectives on Watch.
Several detectives were sent out by Chief
O'Neill to verify the reports that the
chips were clicking in the poker clubs,
but their efforts were fruitless. Others
went out last night. and will report
on Monday. and notice was spread
among the card operators that the Wig
lance of the police had not been re-
Taxed.
MY men will report to me whenever
the clubs attempt to resume poker
games" said Chief O'Neill confidently
Il have reports chat they have not re-
sumed. and these reports are trust
worthy. No order has been given to
cease watching any places where laws
are violated, but If / find some of the
places are taking chances in the hope
that peace on earth and good will to
men will smooth their way. / shall rec
ommend revocations OF the licenses
Christmas Cleanup.
A Christmas cleanup for the West
Side leyee along Madison Street, from
Ashland Avenue 10 Morgan Street,
started today. when Mayor Harrison
summoned the keepers of seven saloons
TO show cause why their licenses should
not be revoked. Special officers have
been detailed to secure information of
the character OF every resort along the
thoroughfare. The dens are said TO be
the lurking places for thieves and hold
up men, and the crusade runs in con-
nectiOn with the campaign against
thuggery Several OF the resorts are
said to be almost as vicious as the
notorious dens I'm State Street owned
by ANDY" Craig and "Mushmouth"
Johnson which were closed by the graft
commission.
The proprietors who were summoned
before the mayor and their numbers
on West Madison Street are: 374. Miner
& SchlOtter $50. Joseph Nicholas: 351.
Mrs. K. b. Rich: 293. NJ. Chiappe; 2SS.
Bernstine Brothers; 277. Conner &
Coffin.
As a starter in the holiday cleansing
the mayor revoked the following IL
ccnscs:
Blaha Brothers. 27s9 Milwaukee Ave
nue.. for conducting dance hall for
boys and girls.
Tracy & Price. 1924 Ogden Avenue.
handbook betting.
Joseph Oszawiewski, 37S EIston Ave
nue.. selling TO minors.
At the meeting of the citizens com
mittee in the Illinois Trust and Savings
Bank assembly hall the subcommittee
on organization presented a plan for
lessness.