The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-01-23
Will Stife All the
Moral Bills
Insb, LcaDiH and Wolfe
Are at Beck and Nod
of PoOlroon1 Man
CALL HEADQUARTERS.
1907 EIGHTH STREET.

When II comes to keeping watch
over public morals the State Sen
ate may point the finger Of scorn
at the Assembly, but only tor a
minute. Sammy Beckett, who
learned ethics at the feet OF Abe
Ruef, presides over the House
committee on public morals. Ev-
erybody knows Sammy. His as
sociations are a matter of COM
mon knowledge. Take his own
word for it, his life is an open
book. But that cannot be said
Of Senator John B. Irish, chair
man of the Senate committee on
public morals.
1t now develops that Irish, be-
sides standing sponsor for IN
creased compensation for prayers,
is the personal friend and was
formerly legal adviser Of Frank
Daroux, proprietor of the Sausa-
Ito poolrooms. According to the
stories going round Red Mems
Hall, where the Legislature
meets, Daroux no longer takes
advice, but gives 1t.
DarouN has spent much OF his time
here since the Legislature convened.
Being g keeper Of gambling houses and
proprietor Of racing handbooks, be-
sides half owner in Sausalito's most
remunerative summer enterprise, he is
a hills that interfere with
sport" Senator Irish is his friend.
They often sit down and discuss the
public welfare. and DarOuX expects
Irish TO take his word as to what forms
Of recreation in the way Of gaming the
Legislature should permit.
PRECIOUS TRIO RULES MORALS
Senator Irish's committee now has
before IL Gus Hartman's bill to pro
hibit prize lighting and Senator Saw
ages bill forbidding mechanical gamb-
ling devices and all kinds Of card
games for stakes. 1t also has under
consideration a constitutional amend
ment providing for Sunday closing.
Acting on the committee with Irish are
Prank ". Leavitt. whose EmeryVille
racetrack programme privilege brings
him q hatfuI OF gold every winter; Ed
ward /. Wolfe. a Herrin man, who
either knows or suspects that the big
bosses have stock in the Emeryville
racing venture; Henry w. Lynch and
T. J.. Kennedy
Lynch is credited with a liking for
independence and Kennedy is a new
man who has not yet shown his met
tie. Neither can block any scheme or
which Irish and DarOux might agree
for Irish. Beavitt and Wolfe constitute
majority Of the committee.
Although the purifiers mentioned
have no racetrack bin before them
Assemblyman Eshleman's measure
which would shut down all tracks and
close all pOolrOoms in the State, may
reach them before the session ends
Daroux realizes this and is antici-
pating the possibilities Of ehe future
He has been holding quiet talks viii
members OF both houses. The pro
posed Sunday law does not bother him
lie is against il. naturally. but look.
upon il as a dream ana, although ad'
dicted 20 the SausalitO habit of cutting
prices would wager 20 to that u
will blow up before il reaches the
quarter post Some men who are mo-
gamblers would increase the odds Il
so TO I.
FEARS A STATE LAW
Daroux IS not vitality Interested in
the fighting game. but il means easy
money for people who frequent hil
gambling places. Therefore. he says
with an air Of kindly tolerance. lie
the boys scrap; they amt hurting any
body but themselves.
When II comes to Senator Savage
antigambling bill. however. DarOul
is up and doing. He has already Tough
similar measures at several session
and has never yet failed to make
number of converts He is not afrai'
OF San Francisco ordinances or San
Francisco police. but the mere mention
OF a State law forbidding gambling
propels his bulky person sacramento
ward. He favOrs slot machines, hors
racing. prize lighting, all known meth
DDS Of petty larceny by mechanical
devices; in fact, anything that VIII he'll
the ''bOvs" get rid OF their money.
Senator Irish, soon after the las
session. opened a law office in San
Francisco as the partner Of Charles N
Shortridge. another celebrated conser
vator Of public morals In the cOurs
of business he had occasion to appea
as the attorney for DarOuX, who Otter
needed legal help ia keeping his gam
ing houses running. Irish and Daroul
became good friends.
Now Irish is chairman OF the Senat
committee on public morals and Da
roux is here as q special champion o
gaming interests. DarouX has a few
suggestions to offer in the way o
amendments, also advice as 10 the hes
wav to kin measures Objectionable 4
Dsroux. The next few weeks will re
veal lust how much influence a Dos
gambler and poolroom magnate ha
with the Senate's chosen defenders o
public morals