The Washington times., 1906-04-10
Passed Up to MI. Baker.

March u.-Mr. West handed the bill
10 Major Richard Sylvester. superintend-
ent OF police. and ne was asked If the
law would hold the bookmakers. On the
same day Major Sylvester replied 10
Mr.. West, saying that District Attor-
ney Baker was better qualified 10 an
swcr thic question, and suggested that
Mr.. Baker be requested 10 give his
opinion in the matter
March l5-Mr. Baker received a letter
from Commissioner West, in which the
latter asked II the law was strong
enough and if IL was necessary to enact
further legislation in order 70 cover the
cases OF the bookmakers-
March 30-COmmissiOner West rcceiv-
ed a communication from Mr.. Baker.
In Il the district attorney stated that
lsSa, ISIS. and 1891. were adequate. and
prosecutions could be had under them.
March 2G-Commissioner West, acting
on the information given him by Mr..
Baker in his letter of March q, gave
Major Sylvester instructions TO proceed
against the bOOkmakers. The superin-
tendent of police was told 10 send de-
tectives TO the race course and look
over the betting there and make arrests
where they were necessary In order that
the law should be obeyed.
March 27-Major Sylvester sent two
detectives 10 the track 20 get the neces-
.,eNA AAADA AAAtAN4bAA ~ AAAtAEt a N4SE vi NAAE
bookmakers.
March 27-Major Sylvester reported to
Commissioner West tnat the information
obtained by the detectives had been
the haLds Of Assistant District Attorney
Given
March 2S-AIr. Baker. according 10
Major Sylvester. stated that he had the
information and would take the matter
under consideration.
March 2-Mr. Baker said ne had not
finished his investigation but still had
the matter under advisement.
March b. Major Sylvester stated tha.
the case was in the hands Of the Dis
trict Attorney. The same day Mr.. Bak-
er stated that he wss still investigating
Sylvester Ready to Acr.
March 31-It was stated by Major Syi-
vester that he was ready to proceed
against the bookmakers and wouls
make all the necessary arrests five
minutes after he received information
frfom Mr.. Baker that the law was
plain. adeGuatc. and complete ana
strong enough 10 warrant an arrest.
THE same day Mr.. Baker declared that
no warrants had been granted and
would not be until he had finished
looking into the matter
April Major Sylvester said he was
Stili N'aitinS for Mr.. Baker TO say
whether or not he wogld issue the war
rants. Mr. Baker had nOt concluded
his investigation on that day and no
warrants We're issued
April Major Sylvester stated most
emphatiCally that the matter was out
Of the hands of the police department
and up 10 the district attorney Mr
Baker stated that he was stin investi-
eating the case.
April 4-Major Sylvester declared that
he and his men had done everything in
their power 10 maintain TIE dignity or
the law and made every effort 10 en-
force II. but Mr.. Baker had issued no
warrants and the police were unable TO
move. Mr.. Baker was at Annapolis.
Nd, on that day.
Denied Warrants Were Issued.
April 5-MajOr Sylvester stated that
no warrants had been granted by the
District Attorney. The Superintendent
Of Police took strenuous exception to
the statement that the matter was in
his hands. declaring that he would pro-
ceed against the b0okmaiSers at once If
Baker would issue the necessary war
rants.