New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-10
WOMEN GAMBLERS.
Mr.. VeilIer Describes Conditions Gre
nted bu Policy Shops Among Poor.

~, ,,-,roin1s by which governments should be
ded IN their efforts TO regulate vice was the sub
feet of lecture before the School Of Philanthropy
Yesterday morning by Lawrence Weller.
.cyVjtb individual vice" said Mr.. WELLER govern
rnents are not concerned. but where 1t is practised
IN such a way as contaminate the living environ
rnent the people il is the paramount duty OF the
government and. OF all persons concerned to inter-
fere 6eterminedIy and effectually.
1T is often argued with much apparent plausi-
bllty that the government has right to inter-
fere with policy shops and poolrooms while Wall
Street IS allowed 10 flourish unmolested Theoreu-
calIy there is difference between the two things,
but practically there is a great difference. Vice
does not exist among the poor to anything like the
extent that It does among the rich. but the conse
ouences Of vice are more serious among the poor.
and gambling places affect their environment in a
way that is impossible among the rich With the
poor gambling is a substitute for legitimate
amusement, a refuge from the uninteresting low
level OF Ordinary life. and is Of little to shut
the doors of such places unless at the
same time the closed doors Of schools and
churches. The craving which IS prevented from
finding expression In one way VIII only seek an
other unless channels are provided for II.
at is this lack of other interests which makes
the children OF the poor take to craps at five
years of This is the kindergarten of crime and
!s followed IN due Of time by the policy
shop and the poolroom. Both tnese institutions are
specially adapted to the conditions of the poor.
The poolrooIn enables people to have the pleasure
and excitement OF betting on horse without
the expense OF attending them. and the policy
shop permits stakes low two cents. II is much
trequented by children and women. and the latter
become hends gambling away their husbands
earnings. and putting their children to bed so
that they can pawn their clothes"
In regard 70 the social evil Mr. WELLER said tina
the sane rule should apply; All efforts to control
IL had failed, but II might be prevented from con-
Eliminating The living environment of the poor.
This has been sufficiently proved he pointed
out, by the experience of New York, where from
the awful conditions that preva lied during the lat
ter part Of the Van Wyck administration we have
progressed until only few sporadic cases. which
tenements
The ease with which this has been accomplished
MAKES II all the more deplorable that the Raines
law hotel should be allowed TO exist These hotels
eeteo Tor The purpose Of evading the intent while
complying with the letter OF RaInes law provide
oneAampieo opportunities for evil and outrage and
Wtnn the last two weeks attention has been
IoIcloy called to their dangers by the cases of
several young girls under seventeen years of age
!onne aead IN such rooms. This evil could be
IsLneeled by a very simple amendment the law
from the Health. Fire and Buildings departments
peLoie hey could obtain licenses most OF them
WONG speedily 90 out OF business for the expense
=! Complying with the law IN the matter Of fire
poteeton would be prohibitive'
N connection with this subject Mr. WELLER COM
Lnehieo on the number Of ''seeningly respectable"
geope WHO profit by the traffic IN vice. and said
TIat N Inc case Of a house in which the Tenement
LOUISE Department had had unusual amount Of
aUuee The agent was a Judge. the bench
eH0 the owner woman Of social prominence.