New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-20
SAYS HE DID NOT PLAY POKER GAME.
Mr. Hill Explains Why He Preferred
Charges Against Alleged swindler.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In attempting the role of reformer have
brought myself into undue and unjust notOriety,
as expressed in various articles in the evening
papers OF August IS, giving the alleged details Of
my connection with the arrest Of card sharper
who came over on the Kaiser Wilhelm III. played
no poker upon that steamer nor did l continue
game of chance upon that steamer, and there was
absolutely no high play at poker by any of the
passengers. Furthermore. there was no row upon
that vessel whatsoever.
am ashamed to admit however, that I was
buncoed for a small amount of money by two card
sharpers, who ingeniously captured me while pass
ing through the smoking room one afternoon en-
route from the decks to my dinner. ! would not
have even acknowledged this had not seen these
men subsequently swindng others, and being
aware Of the manner in which passengers upon
the Atlantic ocean liners are swindled by thieves
who are permitted to travel back and forth upon
them, I was so indignant that I resolved to have
these punished if possible. Their games in
many cases amount TO thousands, and there is
hardly a trip but honorable and respectable
men are captured by them and mucted. and the
rogues find protection by the difndence of their
victims to public exposure
One Of my swindlers was youth whom / lect-
ured and turned away; the other was a hardened
criminal well known to nearly all the great steam
ship lines. and who had worked his avocation on
the Kaiser Wilhelm as she crossed to Europe. He
was arrogant in his procedure that resolved
70 face whatever odium should come from the eX-
posure of my simplicity. and to have him arrested
and punished. if possible, upon arrival at New
York. This morning upon the arrival of the
Kaiser Wilhelm 7 the first passenger TO touch
the dock, and proceeding to the gate, ] told a
policeman that 7 wished the swindler arrested; he
stepped 10 the left into telephone box to sum
mon detective. cautioning me that the man
would walk through the gates. and to look out for
him. Hardly had the policeman entered the box
before this sharper came sauntering through the
gates without baggage, and assuming an appear
ance as II he were not a passenger upon the snip
I called the policeman and he arrested him.
We took him TO the Hoboken police court and /
preferred charges against him The man threat
ened me with all kinds of exposure and hackTnall
stating that he knew all the newspaper men In
New-Hork, and he would get even with me The
criminal boldly defed the judge with the assertion
seas and that there o law by which he
could be convicted. The judge stated that ii was
a matter for the United States Commissioner, and
that he would hold the prisoner until the Commits
siOuer could be seen. I went TO the Commission
ers Office and he said there was absolutely no law
by which such man could be detained. and the
Recorder discharged him My sole purpose in this
matter Notwithstanding the undesirable notoriety
which il brought upon myself was to sec II I could
possibly do something to stop these villains from
infesting the liners. AS to myself, my friends
know my clean record, and that l am no gambler
The stranger may find my record in who's Who
in America" This is plain statement OF the
essential facts Very respectfully yours.
ROBERT T. HILL.
New-York City Aug IS 1903.