New-York tribune., 1906-08-13
TOO HOT FOR O'BRlEN !?
Eunaor that Tcndergoin Czar SaSc
Trouble, SO Went Sick."

II was widely -1Imored in the Tenderlcn last night
that Poiice Captain Steve o'Brien. who is absent
from his command sick leave, would never
again retrn 10 the Tenderoin police station. Cap
tain o'Bgien reported himself as being physically
unfit 70 duty Saturday evening. He told his ser
eeani tnat he suffering from lame back II
noticed however, that when he left the station
house he appeared 20 walk briskly and with ease.
and this fact caused the wise ones to whisper
that the Tenderloin Car had other good reasons
>or temporarily abandoning his command.
Chief among these reasons is said 10 be the fact
that OErien powerless 20 cope with the gambling
situation enderloin because Of the political
Influences against him. Gambling houses are nun
ming fun blast ali over the Tenderlon. and the
gamblers are said 20 be strongly protected
that they snap their fingers eOntemptuously AT
o'Brien's honest efforts 10 suppress them
Realizing the danger TO himself in this situation
OBren. Il is said, IS determined not 10 be caught
mapping. and has decided 70 stay away from his
precinct the plea OF sickness for a few weeks.
At the end OF that period HIS term of service in the
Police Department will have expired and he will be
az liberty 70 retire from the department on half
nsy. II is known that O'Brien has been trying TO
'1eave the Sob" for some time.
Three Ot four weeks ago he voluntarily went be.
fore Dr. ouigley, chief Of the Board Of Police Sur
EeOns. and asked for a physical examination. He
was examined. but. for some reason. report has
7n the Police department and it is said that some
e hs enemies are NOT at the prospect 6 G
like 70 see him get into trouble" before his term
Of service expires.
Last Friday night a strong tip the
gamblers Of the upper Ienderloin--the precinct
commanded by Captain Zimmerman. who IS said
70 be protege OF Big Tim Sullivan-to close up
Immediately, trouble coming The tip
authoritative that the recipients took
heed. and Saturday night the doors Of the gam
blers in Zimmerman precinct tightly closed,
soT the first time in months
IN O'Brien's precinct. however. a score of big
gambling houses were running wide open on Satur-
day night. Among these may be mentioned Daly's.
IN 29th street; Walbaums, in 33d street Farrell's
IN 33d street: kennedy's in 32d street Freeman's.
81 3sth street. and Kenneys places in 31st street.
soth street and 2eth street, In addition, forty
poolrooms were doing business in the Tenderlon.
ana many ~ these had roulette wheels going
The fact that the gamblers I'm his precinct
ceived semi-oflcial tip from the gambling
combine TO close up is said to have opened
o OfBrien's eyes to the fact that A plot being
Matched 10 do him II is no secret that the
gambling syndicate Is headed by prominent Tam
many politician who is not friendly toward q Brien.
In the Ienderloin II is Fumored that District
Attorney Jerome intends to begin another whole
sale crusade against gambling. Last Friday Dep
Oty Commissioner Mathot Inspector Druhan and
Captain o Brien cloSeted with Jerome in the
District Attorneys Office. The object of the
ference was not disclosed. Last night. however.
II was whispered that the conference concerned
the gambling situation. and that O'Erien. realizing
that the gamblers too strong for him.
determined not TO he caught by the Jerome
avalanche and disgraced, and therefore went sick
on Saturday night.