Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-18
HANDBOOK BAOKERS
MAJOR SYLVESTER PREPARES TO
COPE WITH THEM.
Evidence Against Operators and Ar
rests Expected at Any Time - Old
Gases on the Docket.

With the pool rooms across the river
closed and several hundred persons anxious
to back the ponies the police expect thew
will encounter some trouble in keeping
down the handbook hackers. Major Syl.
vester. anticipating a revival Of the bust
ness. started out last week to get matters
in shape to make a number of arrests
should the people who were driven out OF
business in Virginia attempt to carry on
their business here. With this end in view
the several lieutenants were instructed to
have their men make Inquiries and submit
the names of persons who are likely to
take the chances, and the locations of
places where they are likely to operate.
1t Is stated that evidence has been OBJ
tanned against more than one man and
that arrests may be expected at any time.
Maj. Sylvester is not In any special hurry
with these cases, but he has the matter
we'll in hand and may surprise some of
those who want to accommodate" the
alleged sports who can no longer place their
money with the wealthy bookmakers across
the river. 1t Is pointed out by the police
that it Is almost useless to arrest these
people unless they can get the cases tried.
In May of last year two men accused Of
making hand-books were taken into the
Police Court. They demanded jury trials
and nothing has since been heard of the
cases. One Of them deposited $50 collateral
for his appearance and the other was re-
leased upon giving bond In the sum Of $500.
These cases are still on the docket. and
the police, 1t is stated, have been unable to
get them tried
Operated to Their Detriment.
1t is stated that but few of the hand
book hackers who operated in this city
fourished while the st. Asaph pool room
was in full blast. The opening Of the room
at Jackson City made matters even worse
for them, but with both places closed some
of them expect to reap the thousands of
dollars from the men who We're patrons of
the two rooms. The trouble heretofore has
been that most of the patrons Of the hand
book men played tips" and winnings
enough We're made by some of them to
absorb what the bookies got from the los
ers. By getting the great bulk of the
money that is played ON the horses, it is
stated, the business might be placed upon
paying basis. Fortunately for the law
abiding people the conduct of the gambling
element Is not to be overlooked in this city
for as long a time as 1t has been in other
jurisdictions. and those who engage in the
business may expect to get behind the
bars sooner or later. There will be no IA
voritfsm shown in the matter of prosecut-
ing the gamblers and Maj. Sylvester is de-
termlned to press the Investigation to a
successful conclusion no matter who is
affected.
Places for Work.
Heretofore the business has been con-
Quoted chiefly in saloons and cigar stores,
while some curbstone business was also
done. In many cases the persons making
the bets never saw the hacker. The bar
tender or clerk In place of business would
receive an envelope containing the names
of the horses to be played and the amount
to be placed upon each. The man behind
the counter was merely asked to hand the
envelope to the hacker, designating him as
Jack" or Bill" or some other familiar
name. The next day, if he made winning,
he would return and ask If Jack had
left anything for him. Arrests were made
and the cases taken to- the Police Court.
Violations Of section 500 of the code were
charged and the police officials were anx-
ious to have the question determined. The
cases Of at least two defendants are still
not yet been set for trial.
Names Reported.
Maj. Sylvester has the names of a num-
Der of persons who are suspected of being
in the business and their movements are
being closely watched. A number Of bust
ness places where 1t is thought an at
tempt may be made to transact such bust
ness are also being looked after by the
police. The daily attendance at the pool
rooms, 1t Is stated, was something like four
sonably certain that many of these men
will continue to bet their money if they
can find somebody who is willing to take
the risk