New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-15
". [. AND WIRE TAPPERS
HELPS PROSECUTE THEM.
Closed Poolro0ms Which WouIdn't
Pay, Says Captain Goddard.

Captain F. Norton Goddard last night declared
that the Western Union Telegraph Company had
shown itself able to shut down completely certain
poolrooms in January without the aid of either the
Police Commissioner the District Attorney ana
that hundreds Of wiretappers indicted by the com
pany, and now languishing in Sing Sing. evil
dence Of the Western Unions positive knowledge of
pooIrooms' locations. Captain GOddard's statement
in criticism Of Fridays renewed offer by the
companys executive committee withdraw the
service Of race reports from any poolroolns which
Commissioner McAdoo would specify unlawful
poolrooms."
Tribune reporter showed Captain Goddard
printed account Of the reported closing Of pooIroos
by the Western Union in January. when it
declared virtually no racing news was distributed
in New-York. According to this account syndi-
cate had been formed by The poolroom men. and
the service was being taken in only three or four
big rooms, in reality. exchanges from
which the betting odds and joclies We're peddIed
out over the phone to the smaller rooms
In tracing the cause Of this wholesale reduction
in the racetrack service. anda consequent heavy
loss TO the company Of thousands Of dollars. the
Western Union according 10 the report. discovered
the scheme, and Immediately shut of all service
Failing to obtain the desired Information through
other channels the poolrooms had TO capitulate to
the Western Unions monopoly Inspectors en-
ployed by the telegraph company. IL Is said, We're
placed in each of the rooms to see that no trlo-
utary served with racing news without
paving the price demanded. the ticker service
it could be of no use TO haudbooks or poOlroonls
7 recollect the incident perfectly. said Captain
Goddard, and I believe the facts 10 have been
substantially stated. If the Western Union
could do this. when the issue was d financial one
they IL that IL Is 4 moral issue II
cinches the entire argument The company is
simply trying throw aust in the eyes of the
people.
The fact Of every conviction OF wiretapper by
the company shows it 10 have knowledge of one or
trNE
ernor Of this State I would issue blanket pardon
to every wiretapper in Sing Sing for intercept
ing the Western Unions racing service"
The third resolution adopted by the Western
Union Friday" Captain Goddard added, in
structs officers and employees 10 furnish hereafter
ouch racing news only to such applicants as shall
give assurance that il Is 10 used for pool
room purposes The resolution goes right TO the
extreme edge and then stops Let the clause De
changed TO instruct employees 10 furnish racing
news such applicants us on or before, Say, May
- shall give assurance that Il IS lot 10 be used
for poo,rOom purposes and let the word 'apPA-
cants' be ampIhed embrace those who at pres
emit receive racing news. and the rest VIII be easy
Then from every man who does MOI apply by tn4t
date tine service wiL Dee cut co. and those VINO 60
apply VIII have 70 give The necessary .i-s1fance
BY leaving clause u IS me COMPANY SHOWS
that IS trying To blind the public
that Jacob II SlA.T one OF the directors. who had
been expected 10 arrive from Europe YESTERDAY
Ii was Inferred mat. by captan Goddard atterward
/ a
dicaIed his belief Al-. Schih would use MS IN
fuenc,- rs other directors already have, TO have
the Western Union shut down the pOo4rooIl ser
OF its vOLLOL-
Il would resent any .Iuputauon on Mr. Schlft ;
personal character said captain Goddard, as |
would on that Of my own father therefore :
cannot believe that he VIII coUItenalce tho pres
eLI condition Of affairs
Captain Goddard intlmated in other ways that no
thought the crisis drawing near
a lawyer lie said. and have no legal
knowledge. but II after reaSOEa Die time IL be-
comes obvious beyond any cavI thar the company
I VIII meet d mora! issue on a moral ground, :
certainly think II VIII be just for the District Al
torucys Office ~ its discretion 10 consider whether
an action looking the tuvadation OF the charter
! whether any or all OF the dire etprate mSlt %
/ indicted II should be found there Is nor SUI
Accent warrant FOR e4cer OF these Things let them
bring an action against one OF the HlessetSe r
I boys long II The charge Is brought nome
! AT present prefer To leave II a moral issue
with the company. and not - narrow u by seeking
/ 10 bring any test case into court The next move
/ IS with the company $50
! An article which appeared n The Evening Post
I last night show that the Indiana case. on
I which Colonel Clowry has more than once based
/ his declaraI that the company Is bound 70
transmit all messages cCuched N decent language
/ Indicates that reasonable suspicion that mas
/ sages arc o. he used for Illegal purposes is all
/ that is necessary for refCsaL
/ Commissioner McAdoo was understood 10 mt
/ mate Yesterday that he was hopeful OF receiving
support outside the Western Union n suppress
I ing pOuirUCus-