Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-02
DETERMINED FIGHT
CLEARS THE FIELD
OF HANDBOOK MEN
Bettors' Money Goes Begging
for Want of Takers.
"NOTHING- DOING" SIGN OUT
District Attorney Will Take Up Past
Performances
SERVERS ACTIVE
Detectives Tell Sylvester They Have
Neither Patronized Nor Shielded
the Gamblers.
"NOTHING- DOING" SIGN OUT
District Attorney Will Take Up Past
Performances
BP0ENA SERVERS ACTIVE

The first gun in The Stars CAM
paign OF publicity against the hand
books was fired July 10 From jan
uary 1 up to that time-I07 days
thirteen persons had been arrested
for alleged violations OF the pool
selling law, although the handbook
makers were operating with bold
ness which indicated an utter dis
regard for the police. Only seven
teen days have elapsed since The
Star began TO insist that the gam
blers must go, but in that time six
arrests have been made-nearly
half as many as arc recorded for
the previous SIX months and half.
The determined attitude of The
Star. Commissioner West and the
district attorneys Office alarmed
the gamblers and sent them to
cover so that it has been more diff
ficult than ever before to round up
the men behind the books and their
runners. Today the regular pa
irons OF the bookmakcrs find it I'M
possible TO put down a bet in
Washington, and the few who are
still investing" are forced to send
their money TO other cities by COM
missioners. The district attorney
has issued a. large number OF sub
poenas for the appearance before
the grand jury of persons who are
thought to know enough of the
handbook business, past or present,
to interest the jurors.
If any handbooks on the races are being
made in Washington today they are SD far
under cover that the ma jority Of those per-
sons who have regularly patronized tho
game unable to find them. Bets went
begging today. and the few which were
made were put down through the medium
of commissioners" sent to other cities.
The district attorneys office is still active
ly engaged in the anti-gamblng campaign,
and is determined to bring to trial every
bookmaker or runner against whom evi-
dence can be obtained whether he has quit
the business or not. Past performances
is now moro than a mere bookmaking term,
the District attorney having adopted II in
making out his dope on the men he ex-
poets to present to the grand jury. To
this end numerous subpoenas have been is
sued for the purpose Of bringing bettors be-
fore the jury to tell Of their dealings IN
the past with the layers of odds.
Inquisition Still in Progress
Handbook inquisition continued at the
district attorneys Office today. More sup
posed payers Of the horses were examined
by Mr.. Baker and his assistants, but sufi-
cient evidence not developed. it
stated. to be brought TO the attention OF
the grand jury. The scope of the inquiry
has not been confined 10 sa oons where
the handbook makers were supposed to con-
gresate. or where the runners visited to
collect the plays left for them. NUNS
Der Of cigar store keepers have received in
vitations to visit the district attorney for
the purpose of informing that official if
their places of business had evef been used
by the gamblers as a convenience for
patrons.
District Attorney Baker stated today that
nothing definite had been learned from tho
witnesses examined, but that he still had
'"his ear to the ground and was continu-
ing his search for offenders of this class.
Mot Guilty" Say Detectives.
Every member of the local detective force
denies ever making bet with handbook.
having been friendly with bookmskers
or gamblers. These denals were made to
Maj. Sylvester, chief OF police. by the men
while under oath. Each detective
heard separately and the interview steno-
graphically recorded.
Maj. Sylvester this morning placed in tho
hands Of Commissioner West the report in
the case OF each detective. and after care
fully reading them the Commissioner stated
that they were satisfactory and would be
accepted by him. In the case OF one detec-
tive. whose name has not been made
known II will be necessary for the police
depa rtment officials to institute further in
vestigation relative to certain charges
against him before his denial will be &C
cepted
In spite of the denials Of the men OF the
detective bureau and their acceptance by
Commissioner West It does not follow there
will be no changes in the personnel OF tho
force. Mr.. West said today that he and
Mai. Sylvester will discuss the possibilities
of any transfers that may be necessary for
the good OF the service as result OF va
rjous allegation made 10 these officials in
come ction with the handbook gambling.
The Interrogation OF the detectives rela-
tive to making bets with handbooks was
conducted by Maj. Sylvester Wednesday
a fternoor. and the reports were forwarded
TO Commissioner West yesterday, but in