Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-27
new BETTING RESORT
Failure to Open Yesterday
Disappoints Patrons.
BIG BUSINESS TODAY
ESTABLISHMENT REGARDED AS
ST. ASAPH'S RIVAL.
Boards and Ticker in Maryland, but
Betting Will Be Done in
the District
BIG BUSINESS TODAY

| lHc FAILURE OF ln0 managers OIL tfle new
pool room enterprise near the District line
above Georgetown to have their place in
operation yesterday caused disappointment
to about one hundred sports who journeyed
to the place and were anxious to lay their
money on the horses. 1t was expla'ne that
| the storm in New York and New Jersey
| had disabled the wires and caused the
| delay. Late in the afternoon, after the
| disappointed ones had returned to the city
and some had gone to st. Asaph, 1t was
| stated the wires were in working order,
| but 1t was then too late to do business and
| no bets were accepted. 1t was also stated
| that the place will be opened this after
noon.
The two men who were apparently in
charge of the enterprise were Tom Holt
and Robert L. Turner. The former, it is
stated. represents the New York end Of
the combination, while the latter is a Bal
umorean. Both men were in evidence at
| the pool room at Wildwood. 1t is appar-
emit from the arrangement Of the place on
the bank OF the canal that every effort has
been made to avoid infraction of the law
Legal advice given by local attorney, 1t
| Is stated. convinced the promoters of the
resort that they could carry on the betting
without violating the District statutes.
Business Opens.
When the place opened this afternoon a
large crowd was In attendance, and BUSH
ness was quite lively. Apparently no fear
was entertained by the promoters Of the
project Of police interference and the
opening was conducted under apparently
| suspicious circumstances. The receipt of
wire messages from the first races at Sara
toga was announced to the large gather
Ing the names appearing upon the black
board as follows:
First race-Patsy Kane first, at to 2;
Star and Garter. second, at 10. 4 and 2; Paul
Clifford, third, 5 to and even.
Second race (Saratoga)-Rostand first,
even and to 8; Hurstbourne, second. 8 to
2 and to .; Lord Advocate, third to 5
and out.
There has been no move made against
the pool room by the officers, but Sheriff
Collier. Deputy Sheriff Emory and States
Attorney Talbot are on hand watching the
proceeding.
The building erected near the canal is
| inclosed only on the west side, and against
this side is the big blackboard on which
the names of the horses are to be written.
The telegraph and telephone instruments
are under this cover. all in Montgomery
county, Md. In order to place this building
within few inches of the District line it
became necessary to do considerable filling
In ravine and to cut down several large
trees. The covered platform Is the only
place about the gambling resort where
any shelter is afforded. While the boards
and tickers are in Maryland, 1t is stated.
the money will actually be accepted in
the District and should any of the bettors
be successful they will get their winnings
on this side of the line.
Rival Of st. Asaph.
About the places where the gambling
element congregates in this city there were
many animated discussions INDUCED in last
evening relative to the place that is re-
garded as a rival of the ST. Asaph pool
room. The jealousy on the part of the Vir-
ginia gamblers was shown in the several
conversations and some of those who par
tic1pated In the talks ventured the asser-
ton that the Virginia people will do all
in their power to crush out the new con-
cern. in order that they may continue to
enjoy a monopoly of the business and
give what odds they see fit. On the other
hand, 1T was stated, the Baltimore and New
York aggregation may retaliate and cause
the st. Asaph people trouble, as their place,
1t Is claimed. has not the sanction Of the
law. There is q gambling law on the
Virginia statute books. The fact that It
is not often enforced in Alexandria county
has not had repeating effect. 1t Is pos
sible for persons other than the county off,
GERS to procure warrants for alleged vio-
lators Of law. and the law-abiding people
have every reason to believe that Gov
Montague will see that they are served and
the defendants brought to trial. 1t was
largely due to the interest taken in the
place at Wildwood by the Takoma people.
1t Is said. that the place was finally forced
to close its doors and wind up its gambling
business.
There was mention made during the dis
cussions last night of other forms of gam
bling that is carried on In Virginia and
Maryland for the benefit of the sporting
element in this city. There are a number
Of places in Virginia where gambling is
carried on openly and without apparent
fear on the part of the proprietors the pro-
prietors of which will be called upon to
answer in court. At this time several of
he ID IL,
out Of business, as stated in The Star a
few days ago. This condition of affairs
1t Is said, is the result of trouble between
the gamblers and not because of fear of
the officers. Jackson City and Rosslyn are
rivals for the money Washington people
are willing to give up, and trouble has been
experienced by them at times since the
burning of some of the gambling joints in
Jackson City several months ago.
Provisions Of Virginia Code.
Under the new code Of Virginia slot ma
chimes are prohibited but they are still in
use in Alexandria county resorts along the
river. although they have entirely disap-
peared from the saloons and other places
in Alexandria city. Prior to the time of
the adoption of the code a license fee was
charged for slot machines. 1t is stated that
in some saloons slot machine was worth
more than 500 a month to the proprietor
violation of law. and in some counties the
officers will not permit them to be used
Such is not the case inePrince Georges
county. however. for slot machines are in
the saloons. where they can be played by
the customers irrespective of age or condi- |
ton. Other gambling games are also to be
found at some of the Chesap eake Junction
resorts, especially Sundays. and the thirsty
ones are able to get strong or soft drinks |
without having password or giving a sign
to a man on the door.
While these conditions exist on the Dor.
ders of the CITY, the police are absolutely
powerless to prevent drunkenness and the |
loss of money by people many of whom can
ill-afford to part with their hard-earned
cash. Had the local police Jurisdiction in
the nearby counties of the two states Mai |
Sylvester, 1t is assured. would correct the |
evils in short Time, but until change of |
some kind is made in the counties the DO
lice in the city do not hope for relief. They |
expect they will have to continue to look |
after the men returning from these places
and occasionally make an arrest. Because |
Of the manner in which many of the out-of- |
town resorts are conducted. especially on |
Sundays, 1t is necessary for the police to i
have extra details Of policemen at certain !
points.
Move Against Latest Outfit.
While the gamblers are engaged in the |