New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-18
THE pooLROOMs CUT OFF.

The president Of the Western Union 1e1o
800, Comnanv has bowed TO the inevitable
and perhaps regrets that he did not sooner see
the necessity OF doing so. Ever since me un-
questionable facts in relation TO the company ;
methods of transacting business with the poor
rooms were made public its position mas peel
obviously untenable, and Mr.. Clowry hurt
rather than helped its case by his defence. His
sudden announcement yesterday that the de-
livery CT reDorts OF horse races had been dis
continued contained the statement that the
order had been issued on his own initiative, but
# would be foolish TO attach no Importance 10
the circumstance Of Mr. Schiffs arrival from
Iurope yesterday morning and TO the increasing
activity Of the District Attorneys Office 1t hau'
moreover. become widely known, through The
Tribune's recent publication Of the views ana
Intentions Of an important director whose name
MAS withheld, and in other ways, that several
members of the board would resign if its policy
was not reversed. They were men 10 whose
retirement under such circumstances the com
pany could not afford 10 consent, and since
their attitude was proclaimed there has been
little doubt that the poOlroOm partnership would
be dissolved without much delay
II IS easy TO understand that some. If not
most of the directors may have been ignorant
os what was going on, and that others had
chosen 10 refrain from making particular in
quiries into the precise character and operation
OF the poolroom service 1t is even possible
that those who were generally familiar with
that part of the business but We're not directly
engaged in Il. may honestly have taken an
erroneous view of the companys obligations in
respect 10 the transmission OF telegraphic mes
sages. But the moment it appeared that the
company was not simply sending racing news
- the addresses TO which il was directed, but
was secretly installing wires in poolrooms with
fun knowledge OF their character and minute
regard 10 their requirements, and furnish
ing operators skilful in the arts Of concealment
adept at getting out Of tight places and jealous
81 destroying the evidence Of lawbreaking, il be-
came perfectly clear TO everybody who was not
anxious 10 blink the facts that the company
was cooperating in the continuous commission
OF crime. That was position which it was
Impossible 10 believe that Mr. Jesup Mr. SchifT
md other members Of the board OF directors
would knowingly consent TO occupy or the COM
pany 10 defend after Its active managers had
learned their views and fairly estimated the
state Of public feeling.
Ii is not easy TO determine Just how much Mr.
Clowry's order and announcement mean. For
Che present at least. the discontinuance Of the
special service between racetracks and pool
rooms is apparently restricted TO this city, but
II viii be strange If the influences which have
broken up the business in New York do not in
ferfere with Il elsewhere. OF course. this step
viii be cynical!y described as a subterfuge
which viii not long subject the poolroom peo-
ple 10 serious inconvenience, but we do not be-
lieve that those who have caused II 10 be taken
viii permit themselves 10 be tricked Doubt
less the booksellers will endeavor TO supply their
own wants and so keep their customers. and
they will probably succeed 10 some extent for
they are eager and resourceful; but messages
nled at the racetracks and delivered In the reg
rlar manner will not satisfy their requirements.
and the company has seemingly bound itself 10
DC nothing more than that for their benefit.
though IL may possibly consider itself at liberty
10 install a private wire anywhere without
secrecy so long as il does nothing to facilitate
az lnesihmate use OF ii by the lessee. Our be-
lief is that Mr.. Clowry's order was issued in
good faith under pressure however appled
O. which ar last he recognized the moral as well
as the practical force, and that a blow has been
struck at the poolrooms from which they VIII