The Washington times., 1906-11-17
Court Decision Fails to Sup
press Gambling on
Races.
BO0KlES KEPT ON THE MOVE
English Method of Placing Bets Proves
UnsatisfactOTy-Att
Affected.

one who has seen "A herd of cattle
milling on the Western plains would
have been struck with the similarity
had he happened into the betting ring
at Benning racetrack yesterday.
The scene was one of wild confusion,
disorder. disappointment and misunder-
standing. In truth the chaotic condi-
tions intermlngled with farce and COM
r edy, made a picture that never before
has been portrayed at an American
racetrack. But then, one must stop TO
think that yesterdays condition was the
result OF the dramatization OF the Eng
lish method OF betting. II was a por-
trayal OF the English conception Of
humOT
When Justice Stafford handed down
his decision last week in the Davis case
many people jumped 10 the conclusion
that betting at Benning was To be en-
tirely exterminated and that Washing
ton was 10 be dealt blow similar to
that which last year put Chicago out
of the Western racing circuit. The regu-
lars, however. knew better and con-
tinued to make their plans as if nothing
had happened. Heretofore, bookmakers
have maintained stands in what is call
ed the ring"
English Methods Adopted.
Now. that Justice STAFFORD has decided
this to be unlawful. the "bookies" have
adopted the English methods OF operat-
ing with the handbook. In the future
they viii De known as transient book
makers"
Betting at Benning yesterday was
done through individual boOkmakers
who roamed leisuTely about the shed.
with miniOn OF the law at their heels.
Frequently Col Robert A. Pinkerton,
head OF the Pinkerton Detective Agency,
would stroll through the ring and Ia a
gracious voice. yell out
You men must move about. This is
not a betting shed, and must not be
Used as such. Move abOut-scatter out 20
More English humOr.
The bOokmakers would smile, beckOn
their friends 10 follow. and move pos
sibly two inches. This legitimized the
betting. Such farcical methods were OBJ
served throughout the afternoon.
Justice StaHOrd's decision has done
nothing toward suppressing betting. To
the contrary, it has made it possible for
the profession 10 grow, That is. many
sports who are inclined 10 encourage
their love for recklessuess may now
maintain hand book.
COlored BOokmaker Operates.
To show the conceptive facilities OF
the Washington sports. a colored book
maker yesterday made his appearance.
He had his program folded back like
any otaer sport and offered odds equal
10 those of his white contemporaries.
He is said TO have been the first colored
bookmaker that has ever attempted to
operate at Benning. Incidentally. there
were several other individuals making
books who did not have the appearance
of being embarrassed with the wealth OF
the ROthschilds.
The most annoying and unsatisfactory
phase OF the new system is that the
public is practically at the mercy Of the
boOllmakeTs. Formerly the unsophisti-
Gated bettOr- or -'gresnie,' would step
up 10 a booth and plunk down his cash
knowing that il he should. by mercst
chance, have picked the winner the
stand would be at the same place after
the race. Under the reformed system,
when man places "A bet and passes out
into the paddock or elsewhere, he never
knows when or where he is again likely
10 see the smiling face of the kindly
gentleman VINO has separated him from
his long green. The bOOkmakers are
constantly on the move. One may place
bet in the clubhouse and when the
time comes 10 cash in. If that time ever
comes. the boOkmaker probably may bt
half a mile down the crack It Is de-
cidedly worrying
For the habitUtes. those who make a
practice OF following the ponies and
who are personally acquainted with the
bookmakeTs, the present modified sys.
Jem Of betting is as acceptible as an
other The calamity falls upon the lay.
man when lie bursts into his betting
game.
Change Affects Attendance.
One thing very evident in connection
with the reformed system is, that the
change is going TO hurt the attendance
Primarily the one allurement in horse
racing is the excitement derived from
betting. The American sporting ele-
ment, those who make and spend for
tunes on the turf. would soon cast aside
racing as a pasCtime II betting were
eliminated. Without betting. a horse
race would be no more inviting than a
turtle race. a cheap melOdrama. or q
game of tiddle-de-winks. Ordinarily, q
race is over in two minutes or under
Rarely are there more than six races
in an afternoon. As one snort expressed
IL, WHO would pay - 10 sit In grand
stand, shiver and probably catch cold
10 witness a bunch of nags amble across
the green sWaTdy
soon pass into oblivion, With continued
betting, horse racing will still be tbs
paramount sport.
The circulation of money yesterday
was the smallest in years, probably th'
smallest in the history of the track
lose who had coin were loath to place
IL under such uncertain and untaYOrabl,
conditions. Bookmakers are disgusted
ton Jockey Club . heavy lOser-an be
cause of the ruling Of the supreme
court.
FFARS I0SING GR00M'