Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-25
THE CRUSADE OPENS
THREE HAND BOOKMAKERS
TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.
Cases to Be Takd 1nto Court = Post
ponement Of Ing Secured
Pool Roo Gambling.

Pool Rooh. Gambling.
Three arrests were made yesterday In
| what are known as the handbook cases.
method of betting on races and the cases
| are set for trial in the Police Court Tuesday
of next week. John Mcconnell, James Wor-
cester and William Hughes were arrested
by Detective Watson and released upon de-
posting $50 collateral each. They were told
that they will not be permitted to forfeit
their collaterals, but will have to appear
and stand trial. -
Attorney Campbell Darlington was in
court this morning to represent the defend
ants, and for the purpose of examining full
ly into the laws on the subject of gambling
and preparing his cases. The attorneys Sc
cured postponement of the cases until
next week.
Prosecuting Attorney Mullowny has not
yet fully investigated the circumstances I'M
der which the arrests were made yesterday.
Between now and next Tuesday he will
examine the witnesses and determine just
what course he will pursue. He will pre-
sent the case to Judge Kimball and the
court will have to pass upon the legal ques-
tons involved In all probability counsel
Will demand jury trial in the first case,
which VIII mean that jury will have, to
pass upon the facts after the court has
stated the legal side of the case.
When similar cases were under investi-
CATION two years ago the witnesses who.
were summoned refused to testify and the
case were nolle pressed because the at
torney was unable to present any proof.
This trouble, Mr.. Mullowny thinks, will
now be obviated because of decision of
the supreme Court of. the United States
upon the subject. Should the witnesses re-
fuse to make statements they will be COM
PEELED to appear before Judge Kimball and
contempt proceedings may result.
The Probable Line Of Defense.
1t is believed the defense in the cases will
be that the acceptance of money for trans
| mission to another jurisdiction on a COM
| mission will not constitute violation of
the gambling law any more than does the
method employed by some Of the local
stock brokers. One of the large number of
handbook men interested in the outcome
OF the trials of the cases said today that
he was confident that the defendants will
win and that the court will decide that,
under certain conditions, money may be
accepted ana sent away on commission.
The prosecuting attorney is equally conf
dent that he will be able to obtain de-
c1sion which Will put an end to gambling
on the races in this city. The charges
against the three defendants who were ar
rested yesterday is that they bet and
gambled with persons, to the attorney I'M
known, on certain running races of horses
II Is said that some Of the men In the
handbook business recovered from the
fright given them last week when Major
Sylvester announced that the practice had
to be stopped and started in business on a
small scale again. Detective Watson has
been keeping tab on them and yesterdays
arrests resulted. The arrest of the three
men was soon known about the places
where the gamblers make their headquar-
tiers, and one man., who had been Informed
that he was to be- arrested, fastened to
the Police Court and wanted to give bond
for his appearances Ehere had been
warrant issued for him, however, and bond
could not be taken. 1907
Other Arrests to Follow.
1t was said this morning that testimony
has been obtained against number of the
handbook operators and they will be ar
rested in time to be arraigned with those
who have already been arrested.
local saloonkeeper, at whose place bets
on the horses were received until last week
said this morning he was glad the police
had started the crusade against the hand
books. This gambling on the horses, he
stated. has become nuisance to business
men, saloonkeepers and Others and 1t was
only because OF the competition that many
Of the dealers permitted the books to be
made In their places. Most OF them, he
stated. have learned that 1t crippled their
business and are earnestly hoping that the
court will decide the question in a manner
which will put an end to the gambling.
Bets Made Yesterday at st. Asaph's.
Commonwealth Attorney Mackey, the
prosecuting attorney In Alexandria county,
Va, was informed today that bets were
made at st. Asaph's yesterday on informa-
ton obtained by telephone. There has not
been any formal reopening of the place
since the action of the Western Union
Telegraph Company in cutting the wires
and removing the instruments from the
room. 1t is reported that one Of the back
ers of the big game Is in New York at
tending meeting of the pool room men
who are trying to agree upon a plan by
which they can get. the news from the
race tracks in time to be of benefit to
them.
Rumor has 1t that the pool room at St.
Asaph's will be in full blast before the close
of this week Residents Of Alexandria
county. who are opposed to the alleged
gambling room in the county. will probably
call upon Sheriff Palmer as soon as the
room Is reopened. and ask him to make
raid. Some of the residents say they no.
tice such remarkable change In condi-
lions In the county since the closing OF the
gambling places that they are determined
they shall never permit the business to be
carried on so openly again.
The hearing in the st. Asaphs case is
scheduled to take place at Manassas Satur-
day of next week. This hearing is to In
volve the question Of Judge Nicol granting
a writ Of prohibition to prevent the hear
ing of the case before Magistrate Hagan.