New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-23
B00KMAKING A FELONY.
LAW TO MAKE ITSO ASKED
Captain Goddard accuses the LegiS-
Iature of MQEgRity.

Captain F. Norton Goddard. in conversation
with Tribune reporter last night declared that
so long as bookmaking was permitted at the
racetracks, so long would poolrooms exist He ad-
vocated that the State legislature should enact
a law making racetrack bOOkmaking a felony.
righteousness and logic alike" said he. de
mand that the suppression Of racetrack book
making shall follow the suppression OF pool
selling. I will not speak Of the unrighteous-
ness the malignity. the corruption of a legis-
lature that makes poolseing felony and race
track bookmaking a civil offence.
THE State constitution. as I understand IT,
requires the legislature to pass such laws as
will prevent bookmaking of any kind. and 1
don't know what to think of the corruption Of
a legislature that absolutely stultihed its own
laws.
"Of the two evils. poolselling and bookmaklng.
perhaps regard bookmaking as the lesser. as
I would death by old age in preference to death
from bronchitis. Poolselling and bOokmaking.
however. are both indefensible. So long as
bookmaking is permitted at the racetrack. 1 do
not see how poolrooms can cease to exist. The
conclusion is irresistible
Are you thinking OF launching a movement
looking to the Punishment OF racetrack book
making from the Slater" Captain Goddard was
asked.
II shall be glad TO cooperate with some one
else 10 this end" he said. II consider that
man Who believes that morality demands the
elimination of poolrooms. but who does not also
declare his conviction that bookmaking at the
racetrack should be wiped out. too. Is nothing
less than a common fakir."
Theodore Connolly. Assistant Corporation
Counsel declined TO discuss the references 10
racetrack bookmaking either in the State Con-
stltution or the Percy-Gray Racing law. The
policy of the Corporation Counsers office. he
told the reporter. had been 10 take no cogni-
zance OF the subject until it actually had 10 do
So He thought the matter came rather within
the purview Of the District Attorneys office.
District Attorney Jerome spent yesterday In
Lakevne. Conn.
speaking generally and without having the
law bv me-" Robert C. Taylor OF Mr.
Jerome's assistants told Tribune reporter i
understand the matter rests like this: The State
Constitution says: Nor shall any lottery or the
sale Of lottery tickets poolselling. bookmaking
or any kind of gambling be authorized within
the State and the legislature shall pass appro-
pirate laws to prevent offences against any OF
the provisions OF this section
The Percy-Gray law, as understand IT, pro-
tects the owners Of racing premises and permits
booknaking on the racetrack so long as the
bookmaker occupies no booth or stand does not
remain in one place. and does not record bet.
impression
penalty for violation OF any of these provisions
the mere forfeiture Of the wager Who is re-
sponsible or likely to bring such civil action TO
recover is however, another matter.
The Percy-Gray law. as 1 understand 1t, pro-
vdes this civil penalty to the exclusion Of every
other This seems 10 me the joker i'm the law
The constitutionality Of the Percy-Gray law In
what are known as the Sturgs and Lawrence
cases, as we'll as others has. believe. been
taken again and again TO tire Court of Appeals,
onlv 10 be affirmed. The contention that II is
unconstitutional In that IT shows unjust dis
elimination has again and again been denied
Mr. Taylor said he scarcely saw any motive
In the reported intention of the poolrOom men
10 challenge the constitutonality of the Percy
GRAY law. at seems to me-" he added. that 10
make bookmaking at the racetrack also felony
would hardly help their own cause"
II was said yesterday that in addition 10
Black Olcott. Gruber & Bonynge. Delaney
NicoU had been retained by the poolroom men
who were raided on Friday to defend them. and
TO test the constitutionality of the Percy-Gray