Los Angeles herald., 1906-05-04
SOME HALLS ARE
HAUNTS OF VICE
POLICE MAKE REPORTS ON
BILLIARD PLACES
Acting Chief Summarizes by Saying
That Many Establishments Are
Lettering Grounds That
Breed EVIL


his report on the billiard halls in Los
Angeles to the police commission yes
terday morning. The acting chief was
requested by the commission three
weeks ago to have all these places
thoroughly investigated with a view
to seeing which are complying with
the law and which are violating It.
The billiard halls were divided into
four classes, those living up to the law
in every particular, and these embrace
about half the halls having licenses,
those needing reprimands, those that
have been warned and special reports.
In his summary Acting Chief F1am-
mer declares he has found that in large
part the billiard halls are haunts of a
low class of citizens, that half-grown
boys and young men use them for loaf
ing places and that all need more or
less watching by the police.
He declares he is also astonished by
the large number Of Japanese who have
entered this business, twenty-seven
having billiard hall licenses
On special cases the chiefs report
contained the following:
Detailed Comments
Erred Sepulveda, 40S Nigger alley
This place is backed by Bartello Bal
lerino, deposed king of the cribs. 1t
has ten tables; 1t Is frequented by an
utterly worthless class of patrons. Sc
pulveda pays little attention to the
place, having other business.
Wong F'ong, 217 Ferguson alley
Patrons are Chinese, Japs, cholos and
negroes. Seem to be doing the best
they can in the officers opinion, con-
sidering all things. Loafing only by
Cinnamon. officers on the beat report
no difficulty in connection with the
place.
"Y. Hishatomi, 116 Commercial street
The permit for this place still stands
in the name of Louis Skero. Present
owner has an application in at this
meeting for a transfer to himself after
having been warned twice to do So.
officer on the beat says that the Jap is
very ignorant and may be doing as well
as he knows. officers have fired boys
under age from this place.
lotto Ritzert, 80S West Third street
Reported that this place was open one
night as late at o'clock.
"P. Baba, 112 West Ninth street.-the
ported that this place is kept open after
hours. Otherwise appears to try to
live up TO Ln6 rules.
"E. A. Church, 213 East Fifth street
officers on the beat say that Church
has had trouble with the young hood
lum element whose patronage was left
him by his predecessor. He states he
will run an orderly house or none
at all.
"J. B. Hayes, $40 East Fifth street
This man is said to fail to live up to
the law as he should. Frequently he
has permitted boys under age to enter
the place."
University Station Report
The following report is by Capt A.
Bradish from the University station:
Regarding the place located at 1909
South Main street and conducted by P.
S. Bishop, 1 will state that the reports
which have come to me from the vari-
Gus officers show that this pool room
appears to be hang-out for the young
hoodlums in the vicinity, who congre-
gate there and f1irt with women who
are compelled to pass that way. They
make insinuating remarks and other
wise annoy them. They also congre-
gate in the rear and shoot craps, use
vulgar and profane language and in
many other ways make themselves
obnoxious to the business people of the
vicinity.
"The pool room located at 1923 Cen
trail avenue is another place where one
of the worst bands Of toughs and young
criminals in the city congregate. Only
a few nights ago fight occurred there
as a result of one of their number
having given informa ton to this de-
partment which resulted in the re-
covery of a motor cycle and the arrest
of one of their number on suspicion OF
having stolen It,"
This report was laid on the table to
be considered at some special meeting.
From the tone Of the commission 1t is
evident that a majority-possibly all
of these nlaces will lose their licenses