Evening star., 1904-03-18
THE GAME OF JAI ALAI
PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION IN
sENATE's EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Discussion of the Nomination of Gen.
Wood to Be a Major General
Future Speakers.

The Senate had a practical lesson IN the
game Of jai alai yesterday afternoon. The
various pieces for playing that game were
taken to the Senate chamber in order that
senators might judge whether 1t Is a gam.
bling device or not.
Senators Proctor Cockrell, Quarles, For
aker Teller. Scott, Pettus, Blackburn and
others who participated in the hearings be-
fore the military affairs committee, where
the game was explained by experts. were
the exponents of jai alai Senators Cockrell
and Foraker, who have 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 Senators
Blackburn, Scott and Teller contended that
without the betting privileges the Jai Alai
company would not have made application
10 Cen WOOD for the concession to erect a
building as headquarters for the game
Ihe spectacle of senators clasping the
basket racquets to their hands and gestic-
uiatlng IN their efforts to illustrate the
manner of throwing the 'pelota" hall in
real play was so unusual that IL came
nearer holding quorum than have any
OF OF the hve speeches that have been made
ioi or against Gen. Woods confirmation.
After the executive session had adjourned
group OF senators gathered in the middle
OF the chamber. and Senator Blackburn
read from the printed testimony given in
the Wood hearing to prove that the me
IS devoted almost wholly to gambling and
4 .nil Hsn, Wood Knew this fact when he
stIhted the franchise to the company
Inc demonstration of jai alaj came in
VI me last hour of the session and through
II ai ran a discussion of the game. in
winch many senators participated
Mr.. Patterson's Admission.
Gen Woods defenders scored point
when Senator Patterson admitted that he
had spent day studying the testimony in
regard TO the game, and had come to the
conclusion that it contained nothing detri-
mental to Gen. Woods conduct and no valid
reason for opposition to his confirmat ton.
Inc senator said that he had expected to
oppose conilrmatl tlon on the strength of the
testimony against Gen. Wood but that a
more urgent reason than that must be ad-
Vanced In regard to jai alai. the principal
speakers were Senators Culberson, Patter-
son, Teller, Hoar. Proctor and Blackburn
Senator Proctor the acting chairman OF
the committee on military affairs had made
requisition on the War Department for the
appurtenances for the game, and when the
hearings had been. concluded he decided
to keep the articles at his office to use in
the event the members of the Senate were
interested. In addition to the equipment
for the game he had picture of "pelota"
court showing Gen. Wood and three com
panions enjoying the game.
Future Speakers.
Senator Quarles resumed his speech in
support of the nomination when the Senate
went into executive session, at 1888 .. m,
and held the floor until pm 1t had been
expected that Senator Teller would follow.
but on account of the late hour a general
discussion was had instead Senator For
aker will speak today in defense of Gen.
Wood and will occupy most of the day.
This will carry the over until Saturday
night at least, Senators Teller and Alger
both are scheduled for speeches. Senator
Alger is armed with a letter written TO
Gen. Wood by Senator Teller February 10.
1901, complimenting him for his deserved
promotion on the occasion of Woods con-
firmation as brigadier general. Senator AL
ger expects to use this letter against Sena-
tor Teller when the latter makes his speech
in opposition to Woods confirmation TO be
major general.