The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-12-23
THE KITTY GETS THE COIN

These tapes, several days late, are
placed in the tickers and stocks sold
on the results as licked off. San
Francisco firm owns the house doing
this business, and it is insisted the pre-
cariolIs gambling game is attracting as
much play as the old houses used to
enjoy.
But that part of Seattle that CANDLES
is attracted by poker, now. Old rou-
lette, faro, chuck luck blackjack and
other fends have taken to poker, and
the tables in the restricted district are
crowded nightly There is no pretense
of secrecy nor any attempt to disguise
the fact that the games are run by the
house, and that the hungry kitty gets
it's share off every pot. And this is in
direct violation Of the gambling felony
act
The gamblers, however, are confident.
Up at the county building the sheriff
asserts it is the duty of the police to
look after these games. The police
insist that the sheriff should enforce
the state laws. The two endeavOr to
pass the matter up to the prosecuting
attorney, and he responds with the de-
claration that he will prosecute any
one who is brought before him. but
can do nothing until sUne one else
acts.
Where Ignorance Is Bliss.
Official Seattle does not want to
know too much about the open gambl
ing and there is no one eager to
break the unwelcOme news. 1t is gen
orally believed in the restricted dis
trict that if trouble should arise over
the games, the authorities would lose
their witnesses, unless they are kept
under lock and key. The McGovern
case has. instead of inspiring fear, Civ
Ell confidence. McGovern, it will be re-
membered, swore to a complaint against
two gambling houses. He was the
states star witness, but was discovered
10 have disappeared when the case
WAS called for trial. He returned to
declare the county attorney had driv
Ell him out of town with a threat of
his case was taken into the superior
court on a writ of habeas corpus,
sworn out to release him from the
technical custody of a bond.
The case ended in a reprimand for
McGovern and the formal clearance of
the attorneys character. Now the
gamblers are confident that they can
take care of any witness that comes
up to prosecute them.
Nickel in Slots Out of SIGHT.
1t is not likely roulette, faro and
other games Will open up generally,
though at any time they might. But
the Clancys are awaiting trial on a
charge Of operating such games, and
the cry that greets the news that the
old bank games have been restored, is
probably sufficient to limit gambling
to poker and other similar gambling
games for a time at least.
The vacilating policy toward slot
machines has finally compelled the
general public to lose interest in the
outcome. Up to Saturday night the
the cigar stands They suddenly went
off in response to tip from the sher-
ifs office.
Cigar dealers tried to operate after
the state law went into effect, but the
county attorney was against them.
About three months ago County At
torney Scott told the Oregonian that
he was too busy to look after the slot
machines, and he would depend upon
the police and sheriff to do so. The
machines went in.
What appeared to be a satisfactory
arrangement was made whereby the
machine-oW were to pay regular
fines. Then Mayor Humes awoke to
the fact that the city was getting no