The Cairo bulletin., 1904-03-18
Experts Demonstrate the Cuban
Gambling Scheme
WAS A DRAWING CARD
AND CAME NEARER HOLDING A
QUORUM THAN ANY OF THE
FIERY SPEECHES MADE
AGAINST WOOD.
BY the Associated Press.

Washington, March t7--With the
paraphernaia for playing Jai Alai,
the game which figures so conspicu
ously in the contest against the con.
firmation of General Wood, senator's
amused themselves for more than
an hour this afternoon, protected
from the gaze of the public by the
closed doors of an executive session.
A lively interest was manifested in
the game. Senator's Proctor, Cockrill
Quarles, Foraker, Teller, Scott, Pet.
tus, Blackburn and others who par.
ticipated in the hearings before the
military affairs committee. where the
game was explained by experts, were
exponents of Jai AIai, Cockrell and
Foraker who had paid extensive Wis
its to Cuba while the "Pelota Season"
was at its height, explained that the
gambling features of the game are
not essential to its adoption by the
Cubans, while Blackburn. Scott and
Teller contendcd that without the bet.
ting privileges the Jai Alai company
would not have made application to
Wood for concession to erect a
building as headquarters for the
game.
The spectacle of senator's clasping
basket racquets to their hands and
gesticulating in their efforts to illus
trate the manner Of throwing the
"pelota" ball in real play was so un.
usual that 1t came nearer holding a
quorum than have any of the fiery
speeches that have been made for or
against Woods confirmation. After
the executive session had adjourned a
group Of senator's gathered In the
I middle of the chamber and Blackburn
read from the printed testimony Civ
on IN the Wood hearing 10 prove the
game is devoted almost wholly 10
gambling and that Wood knew this
fact when he granted a franchise to
the company.
The demonstration Of Jai Alal came
in the last hour of The session and
through II all ran a discussion Of the
eamo IN which many senator's parici.
patcd Woods defenders scored It
point whcu Patterson admitted he
had spent day studying the tc6ti-
mony in regard to the game and had
come to the conclusion that it con
tanned nothing detrimental to Wood s
conduct and no reason for the 0pposi.
tion to his confirmation. The senator
said that he had expected to oppose
the confirmation on the strength of
the testimony against Wood, but that
more urgent reason than that must
be advanced
In regard to Jai Alai, the principal
speakers were Culberson, Patterson
Teller Hoar, Proctor, Blackburn. In
addition to the equipment for the
game Proctor had a picture of pc.
lota" court, showing Wood aud three
companions enjoying the game.
Quarles resumed his speech in sup
port of the nomination when the sen.
ate went into executive session at
1858, and held the floor until 4. II
had been expected that Teller would
follow, but on account Of the late
hour, general discussion was had
instead. Foraker will speak tomorrow
in defense OF Gen. Wood and will
occupy most of the day. This will
carry the case over until Saturday
night at least, as Teller and Alger
both are scheduled for speeches.
Alger Is armed with letter written
to Wood by Teller February rs, 1901,
complimenting him for his deserved
promotion" on the occasion of Wood )
confirmation as brigadier general. Al
ger expects to use this letter against
Teller when the latter makes his
speech in opposition to Woods confir-
nation.