The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-20
COMSYOCK ACCUSES SuCER
or BEING IN RACING MEMS PAY
MILD ECHO FROM CRAFTS.

Declare TOT SuSstuy"LahshhB Npih'
wThe various preachers meetings yester-
doy nut themselves on record as supporting
the Cassidy Lansing bill, aimed to stop
racetrack gambling, after they had heard
Anthony Comstock, vice hunter from
yayback, band the Rev. DR.. Wilbur +.
RATS head Of the International Reform
Bureau in Washington, described how
great a necessity is the bill.
Both speakers went after thelRev. DR..
Thomas r. Slioer, pastor OF All Souls uni-
tartan Church, who, some Of the supporters
Of the bill declare, after pledging himself
to-support it went back on them.
Anthony Comstock, speaking to the
Methodist preachers particularly, said
that he felt hat DIR. Slioer as in the pay
Of the racetrack people," and he made
similar statements to the Baptist Min
isters' Association. DR.. Crafts put his
statement, made to the Presbyterian min
listers, a little less strongly, but 1t con-
veyed the same idea.
Comstock was asked afterward what
reason he had for believing that DR.. Slicer
was in the pay OF the racing association.
Il have reliable information" he replied,
that DR.. Slicer entered into an agreement
with the association to defeat the bill in
their behalf" Mr.. Comstook explained
that he had not intended to convey the idea
that Dr.. Slicer was receiving money for his
efforts, but added:
The inference would be that DR.. Slicer
wouldn't 60 to Albany at his expense
to work for the ace t~rackpeople.'
When DR.. Slicer was asked for his views
-, NJ rDraafaolyia -, rlro he lnNloA uvaa ~
Anthony Comstock?" said he. "Oh, yes,
he's an officer Of some sort Of society, Is he
not? / remember now He Is a most ire
sponsible talker and 1t would be beneath my
dignity to reply to him"
DR.. Slicer thought a while and then con-
inued; Il will say in regard to the insinua-
hon that the racing association a paid
my may to Albany that l have not been to
Albany and do not expect to go. AS to Mr..
Comstock, l would nc more think of answer
ing what he says than I would Of doing the
things he does"
In regard to the Rev. A. s. Gregg's state
ment that he had made it appear that the
poolroom influences we're interested In the
massage Of the bill DR.. Slicer said:
Il meant no reflection on Mr.. Gregg. !
didn't know that Gregg was in the land OF
the living until he sent me his biography
and a picture"
DR.. Slioer would make no reply to Mr..
Gregg's threat that his rewarks concerning
the poolroom influences in behalf Of the
bill we're SO serious that he vas thinking
of instituting against him a suit for
damages" DR.. Slicer closed the interview
by remarking that he had said all that he
z,1n --1,,ll nLa,,k ANk .,-A afA-. l.
defeat or passage Of the bill.
Mr.. Comstock went before the Baptists
and Methodists with a long set Of resolu-
tons, which were adopted unanimously.
After a number Of whereases reciting that
the Constitution Of the State forbids gam
bling, that common gamblers have violated
this provision openly and fagrantly upon
the racetracks, that gambling is a vice
terrible in its consequences, that there is no
law to protect the Constitution from being
openly violated and that the Cassidy Lam
sing bill is such a law, the resolutions read:
Rese'rcd. That we, ministers OF the New
York Preachers Meeting, In public meeting
assembled In the city OF New York this 10th
day OF March. 1906. do respectfully call upon
each member Of the Legislature to promptly
pass said bill and fully restore Section 35l to its
Original ltNI, d6 u tAtsIeu III lbb4, AZ inc Time
the Constitution of the State was amended.
making the crime a felony, and tine penalty
the same as has existed for years: and re-
pealing all acts or parts OF acts which prevent
Chapter 0 of the penal code from applying to
these shameless outrages OF the Constitution
and the morals of the State of New York:
and further
Resolved. That we thank Hon. Owen Cas-
sidy of the Senate and Bradford X. Lansing
of the Assembly for introducing valuable
services in advocating the same; and that we
urge upon them and upon each member OF the
Legislature the Imperative necessity for pass
Ing this law, in order that the Constitution
may be duly respected and the laws of the
State be made uniform against these crime
breeding institutions,
SIS that the bill to which DR.. Slicer and
Bishop Doane are opposed?" asked one of
the preachers when Mr.. Comstock had
finished reading.
The identical, self-same BILL" was the
answer. AS for Bishop Doane, l love him
and l hon or him, and l have the greatest
reverence and esteem for what he has done,
but he has been misinformed about this
bill. AS for DR.. Slicer, I have good reason
to believe he is in the pay Of the racetrack
people"
Asked at the conclusion OF the meeting
to explain his statement concerning DR..
Slicer, Comsto ck said:
He has made a written contract with
them regarding racing.
Il know, and / am in a position to know
it, Mr.. Comstock also told the preachers.
that the evils Of racetraok gambling are
far greater than any of you imagine. Detail
cations due to gambling on races are in
excess Of $1s, 900, 900 per year. The amount
of misery caused by it is incalculable. But
the rich men who own the racetracks care
nothing about all this misery so long as
the dividends come in"
DR.. Crafts replied to DR.. Steers deciara-
ton that the bill in question originated in
the poolrooms, "The bill, !" said DR.. Crafts,
+had it's inception in a remark made by
Gov. Higgins to a Congregational clergy
man az Salamanca at a social gathering
last fall.
Gov. Higgins recalled with pride that
he was one OF the few Senator's said DR..
Crafts, who voted against the Percy-Gray
law. which releases gamblers from the
felony penalty if their gambling is done
on the racetracks.
"The records will SHOW that Immediately
after the assurance that Gov. Higgins could
be relied upon to aid in repeating that law