The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-09
CRACK AT THE BETTING RING
STEENHARDT HAS A RACETRACK
cor ARRESTED.
what For? Neglect OF DUTY I'm Not Nabblng
Gamblers-.VuSt q Lesson. Stelnhartit
Says, for the Regular POlice--Hints
at Charge Against One "Bisher Up"

what For? Neglect OF Duty I'm Not Nabblng
Gamblers--.BuSt a Lesson. Stelnhartit
Says, for the Regular POlice-aints
at Charge Against One "lBiRher Up"
Shortly after the fourth race was run
at the Brighton Beach racetrack yester-
day afternoon, a Brooklyn cop walked
into the betting ring and arrested Pinker-
ton man on a charge of violating Section
| III Of the Penal Code" which says that "A
public officer who wilfully neglects to
| perform any duty enjoined upon him is
guilty Of a misdemeanor. The duty al
legged in this case was the suppressing Of
gambling on the Sheepshead Bay race
| track.
The news Of the arrest spread rapidly
among racing men and they soon learned
that Lawyer Benjamin Steinhardt Of the
firm of Howe h Hummel had been instru-
mental in bringing it about. Many be-
lieved he was acting for New York pool
room combination. Others declared that
he had been retained by "Pittsburg Phil, +"
whose entries have been barred. Still
others circulated a story that he was acting
for Peter DeI.acy, who for years had battled
against the racetrack folk because they
wanted to shut out the poolroom gamblers.
The man who was taken into custody
was John Butteles, long employed by tho
Pinkerton agency, and the arrest was made
on warrant issued by Magistrate Tighe
of Brooklyn. Magistrate Tighe went to the
track to see that the warrant was served
The complainant named in the case is Harry
Goldman, subpoena server, employed in
Howe & Hummel's Office, who lives at i51
Bridge street, Brooklyn. He accompanied
the cop and the Magistrate, and they found
Butteles in front of the stand on which Sol
Lichtensten was making book.
That's him." said Goldman, pointing TO
Butteles.
The policeman tapped Butteles on the
shoulder and informed him that he was
under arrest. Then he introduced Butteles
to Magistrate Tighe, who said that as tho
charge was only inisdemeanor he would
release the prisoner on parole in the custody
of Supt Butler of the PinlIerton force.
but that he must appear in the Adams
street police court in Brooklyn this morning
at 10 o clock to undergo examination
The officers of the Racing Association
declared that the entire proceeding was a
windy one and would have no serious
results
Il consider it the most important move
made against the race track people since
have been fighting Them" said Steinhard
later In the day, land it will be great sur
prise TO me if it does not put stop entirely
TO race track betting. If the police now
don't understand that they are in duty
bound to suppress gambling at the race
tracks they will certainly get into trouble,
for l will not let up on them, and some ono
is liable to go to the penitentiary.
Il intend to attack the head of tho system
down there at the track, and will be heard
from as soon as this case against Butteles
Ia disposed of.
Some time last month a man came to
me and informed me that a police officer
in uniform had been assigned to attend
to the business of Sol Iichtenstein, the
bookmaker. | sent man to the track
and he reported back that raoetrack
policeman was the one who was doing duty
for the bookmaker; that this racetrack
policeman was there TO keep back the pub
lie who were not betting, and that he was
shouting 70 the crowds, If you want to see
the odds 60 to the back Of the stand and
give the bettors a chance here,
Il concluded that | would prosecute the
Coney Island Jockey Club, but first would
| tackle this Pinkerton cop, Butteles. In
some way 1t got out and he has been missing
from his accustomed place. That put the
| matter off for Il while. But he finally re-
turned to the work he was doing
Then. when the opportunity afforded
called on Deputy Police Commissioners
kbstein and Davis. ] had a two-hour
talk with them yesterday. l told them OF
my proposition. They said they were not
yet prepared 20 consider it.
u went over to Justice righe in Brooklyn
talked the matter over with him for two
hours, and he agreed with me in the view
| took of the matter.
The question arose whether a racetrack
policeman was public officer, Section 10
officer Under this law the trustees OF a
racetrack have power 70 appoint Ave or
more officers, whose duty is 10 preserve
order, and who shall see that the rules
are obeyed. Another section provides
that rules must be posted against gambling.
Now II such rules are posted, then the
! racetrack officer must sec that they are
observed. and, failing in that, he fails in
performing his duty
More than two weeks ago this Pnker-
ton man committed this offence He was
there in uniform wearing his badge OF
OHIO" az tne Time. The matter was laid
before tho District Attorney in Kings county.
but he advised Inc to go to "A Magistrate.
| did'so, and the result was that the Magis-
trate did his duty to-day in issuing that
| warrant.
Il may in n day or two apply for war
| rant for the arrest Of another person, All
officer on the track high up. and il Ia a GER
tainty that if do. he will find out that he
is gnilty OF wilfullv neglecting his duty"
| When Stenhardt was asked il there was
any truth in the story that "Pittsburg Phil"
had employed him or contributed to fund
| that had been raised by New York pool
room men t. fight the racetrack folks, he
smiled and said
There is no truth in that story. If'Pitts-
burg Phil has decided to give me $40, 900
haven't yet heard about il, but I'm never
anxious TO refuse nice fat retainer like
that. am acting on my own hook and will
continue The fight at Saratoga
Il consider this arrest to-day the fruit
of the fight that for eight years has been
waged against this combnatio which in
sists upon violating the law by permitting
gambling at the racetracks. ! don't think
the bookmakers will he doing business at
the tracks after this week"
"Pittsburg Phi" when asked if he had con-
tribnted TO a fund to fight the race track
booklnakers, declared that he had not and
would not, and that he was not even ac-
auainted with Lawyer Stcinhardt.
"lf | did know him." said "Phil.' Il
would tell him that do not approve Of his
methods
For Strangers to New York.