The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-07-26

GAMBLERS AND GAMBLING
CHIEF of Police Hallock resents the
publication Of fact brought out at
the meeting of the city council last
Monday night concerning the admin
istration of his important office. He
says, in substance, that if the mayor
and city council instruct" him to col
iect fines from the illegitimate sources
from which this city derives large
portion of its revenue, he will carry
out their instructions, and If they tell
him to refrain from collecting such
tribute from certain people in the city,
even though others may be paying for
police protection for the same illegal
privilege, he will abide by their wish
es We infer from this that Chief
Hallock wishes to perpetuate his name
in the annals of legal police history as
a faithful servant, ever willing to
serve his master. or two masters if
necessary, as in this instance.
Chief of Police Hallock points to the
high moral standard OF the city as
shown by the records of his depart
ment, and with an emphasis that is in
tend to Danish all criticism
remarks: i did it with my little
force" He even takes keen delight
in reading accounts of the holdups
that are daily occurrences m the city
Of Portland and tells himself what
Foxy Quiller-Sherlock Holmes of po-
lice chief Astoria has. We are indeed |
fortunate in being able to feel that we
can retire at night without our slum- |
her being disturbed by some midnight |
marauder who has received a "hunch''
that we might be able to provide him
with money, iewelry and silverware.
The chief of police is indeed entitled
to our thanks. 1t is balm to wound
ed feelings to know that not every
man we meet on the streets after dusk
is armed with Jimmy for our special
benefit. But even in the enthusiasm
OF our gratitude we feel that the chief
of police is doing no more than he is
paid to 10 when he drives out of
the city crooks and vagrants, and for
this reason he is not entitled to the
thanks Of the community in any great
er measure than is the man who cleans
the streets. Both are public servants,
performing the duties to which they
have been assigned. ;
The comment of The Morning Astor-
ian at this time is not to reflect on the
great chiefs record as criminal chas-
er. He is no worse at the game than {
any other man who has heen in the G
service as long as he. Neither do we t
seek to close up gambling in Astoria !
with one fell swoop. We appreciate r
The inpossibility of such move in the 5
lace Oh Ine Sldle Law NHISh uct'i7 ~
with gamblers and the city
,harter that is at once so generously :,
disposed towards them. To close up ,
rambling, action by the legislature will .
,e necessary, and when that body ,
,laces it in the category of felonies ,
hen. and only then. can we expect to :
light along the lines of eradication. l.
our efforts at this time are in the di-
ection Of keeping out of the city Wis
ting, gamblers who come here expect
ng to ply their vicious traffic under :,
he protecting wings Of the municipal
g;cials for e cash consideration, paid "
Tx months in advance. The law abid- :
ne element of this city protests
eainst any addition to the present
rmy Of gamblers and other forms of
ice. there are altogether too many "
amblers and their like operating now II
nd the temptation for the working !
1an to squander away his hard earned ~
loney that should go to the support u
I his family, and also the
oung men of the city, is already too
reat for the average man with inclin- in
lions in that direction to resist. The pf
forming Astorian seeks to prevail up vi
n the municipal authorities to refuse la
nv more gamblers the privilege Of OPP az
rating in this city. =
AS to Chief of Police Hallock, The
Iotning Astorian has no quarrel with \
i'm. AS an appointee of the =
olice commission it seems to us that 1
e Is responsible to that body solely,
le mayor and city council to the con- e,
AIRY Notwithstanding We believe in
lew Of the fact that one class of peo-
l. pay tribute for one illegal priv 4
ego It is only fair chat every other '
ass, whether they be located in the a
.stricted district or in the back rooms pa
I uptown saloons should pay ~ co
II similar police protection, and we be
, not think II Is necessary for the ! at